WordPress with React to Create Headless CMS for the Web Application

WordPress offers many fantastic features. One of the feature is the Rest API. It enables developers to produce exciting plugins and themes and gives them access to the WordPress CMS to power third-party applications. These are the amazing benefits of WordPress development. Now, let’s take a look into the brief about the Headless WordPress.

What is Headless WordPress?

Headless WordPress websites are websites that utilize WordPress primarily for content management and any other technology to create the front end and show the content to visitors.

As long as both interfaces speak the same JSON language, developers can communicate with cross-technology interfaces using the rest API. The JSON format used by the WordPress Rest API is compliant with a wide range of web technologies. JavaScript objectsIn an existing web app created using either React or Angular, It might find itself needing to add a blog feature. Use headless WordPress CMS to handle the content utilizing Rest API rather than creating a comprehensive content management system in the native framework. are represented via JSON, a text-based format that stores data in key-value pairs.

Advantages of Headless WordPress CMS:

WordPress is a very flexible open-source platform that can be used to build any website. It may build the front end of the web application using any web technology and manage its content using one of the most well-liked CMSs by using WordPress as a headless CMS.

It might run into a situation where it needs to add a blog feature to an existing web project created with either React or Angular. Use headless WordPress CMS to manage the content using Rest API rather than writing a full-featured content management system in the local framework. Below mentioned are the advantages of the Headless WordPress:

Lighter and easier redesigns:

The website is smaller and simpler to operate thanks to the use of WordPress as a headless CMS. Without impacting the website’s front-end appearance and user experience, it can remodel some of its components in a comfortable setting.

Super Quick Performance:

WordPress offers a blazing-fast performance and dependability for website building when combined with new integrated technologies.

Publishing content over several platforms:

It enables users to publish content across several platforms, including PCs, tablets, and mobile phones, among others. Its website’s accessibility will grow as a result, and it’ll ensure that younger audiences are better served.

Increased Security:

A headless CMS takes care of data security, which is a key component of any online service. In this situation, it can ensure greater security because the API used to give the content is typically read-only.

Greater Scalability:

The website needs to have the capacity and adaptability to change in scale, functionality, and size. A headless CMS guarantees that it adapts to the changing demands and changes.

Disadvantages of Headless WordPress:

Although there are many advantages to using Headless WordPress, it is not a surefire option for the website. This is due to various drawbacks associated with using a headless CMS. The following disadvantages of headless WordPress should be considered before choosing whether it is appropriate for the website.

Advanced coding expertise is necessary:

Since the majority of headless WordPress’ complex frameworks, such as credentialing, require coding for implementation, it would need a professional developer to use it to its full potential. Therefore, working with non-technical persons would be challenging.

Additional challenges in publishing:

A headless CMS makes publishing content more tedious. The live preview feature is disabled, and there is a mismatch between what consumers see on the front end and what is displayed on the backend. Additionally, it results in restrictions on how content is placed and presented in the final UI.

Access to crucial plug-ins being lost:

Headless WordPress gives access to cutting-edge front-end technology, but this comes with a cost. Users are no longer able to use WordPress’ built-in commenting system or services like site search and contact forms. Plug-ins like WP-Members, bbPress, and other ones cease functioning.

How to Install React on WordPress:

React is one of the most widely used JavaScript frameworks for developing front-ends, and it is developed and maintained by Facebook and the developer community. This robust, quick, and dynamic JS library is used in single-page apps.

Once WordPress is configured, creating apps using React is simple. The computer requires the following software to be installed:

• Text editing software like Visual Studio Code.
• Version control with Git
• To create a web app using React, follow these steps after setting up your environment.
• Install the Axios package for API calls next, and then launch a text editor to access the folder.
  NodeJS and NPM
• Once the application has been launched using the proper command, you are ready to begin building a web application. React-based WordPress backend with the Guterberg editor WordPress has always been a relatively inclusive platform, allowing both programmers and non-programmers (such as bloggers, marketers, salespeople, and others) to build themes, plugins, and launch websites. Without a doubt, this is no longer the case, and it is unreasonable to need everyone to learn React in order to construct a Gutenberg block. The most sensible choice, though, is to utilize React, even if just because Gutenberg was created using it. The only justification for this drawback is if it improves the user experience.

Conclusion

How to build up a website using headless WordPress and React completely is covered in a number of tutorials. However, if you find the procedures challenging, please get the setup done by a professional. You can completely configure your headless CMS once it is ready to be used. Let’s get connected if you are looking to Hire WordPress Developer or for any similar requirements.

Pankaj Sakariya

September 01, 2022