SEO and headless CMS: debunking 4 false myths with Fattoretto Agency

What is a headless CMS

You probably know this, but let’s back up a little: what is a headless CMS? It is a content management system that completely disconnects the front-end and the back-end.
A headless CMS separates the content of a website from its design and code: this means that all back-end operations, such as content creation and storage in the database, are separated from the on-screen rendering of the content itself, and allows content to be created once and easily distributed to different channels and devices independently.

The advantages of a headless content management system

A headless CMS, compared to traditional CMSs, allows for flexible, collaborative and scalable development.

Flexibility

Disconnected back-ends and front-ends allow contentto be easily distributed across multiple channels, reused and customised for different uses and platforms (mobile app, e-commerce). Document management is also optimised, as a headless CMS allows different file types to be stored, managed and used in the most appropriate format.

Collaborative approach

Headless systems allowsimultaneous access by multiple users: developers can work separately on the front-end and back-end, without affecting the content of the presentation layer, and can use any language and programming tool (even customised code) without constraints dictated by the platform.

Scalability

Thanks to the separation of front-end and back-end, each part of the CMS can grow, change and scale independently, meaning that it is possible to add another web server or completely redesign a site without having to change the entire system. Many headless CMS programmes are hosted on the cloud, so storage capacity can be implemented as content or traffic grows.

Is that all? No, in fact the separation of front-end and back-end also offers more security and the management of reusable content makes the site lighter and more versatile (also speeding up loading times).

False myths about SEO and headless CMSs

Compounded by the fact that traditional CMSs offer integrated tools for SEO, while ad hoc solutions have to be developed for headless systems, the common thought is that optimising the performance and visibility of a headless site is a losing bet.
This is not the case and we prove it to you by debunking 4 false myths about SEO and headless systems:

1. Separate back end and front end make SEO optimisation more difficult

It is true that traditional CMSs offer integrated tools, but this does not automatically mean that they are optimised on the SEO side: regardless of the type of CMS, this requires a properly developed front end, with well-structured HTML and CSS.

2. Headless CMSs do not support SEO metadata

Untrue: headless CMSs can support SEO metadata, they just require a more manual and customised approach than traditional CMSs where a lot of functionality is already built in. Ah, to be fair, there are also headless systems such as Contentful, which already have preset management, so…

3. Headless CMSs do not support SEO metadata

Untrue: headless CMSs can support SEO metadata, they just require a more manual and customised approach than traditional CMSs where a lot of functionality is already built in. Ah, to be fair, there are also headless systems such as Contentful, which already have preset management, so…

4. There are no SEO tools for headless CMSs

If a headless CMS does not have predefined SEO plugins like a traditional CMS, it does not mean that SEO solutions cannot be implemented: in this case, ad hoc development must be done. So: false, whereas it is true that if SEO best practices are not followed, a traditional CMS is absolutely no guarantee of an optimised site.

Headless CMS and SEO: a combination that performs

Optimising on the SEO side a site built on a headless system is not only possible, but in the final analysis – by relying on a development team capable of handling the required complexity – it is also the choice that brings better results in many respects: indexation included.

Building a headless system certainly requires more technical expertise and a greater investment of resources, especially in the start-up phase, but it allows for the creation of sites capable of offering multiple customised user experiences, significantly faster navigation (SEO friendly) and, precisely because of the separation of back-end and front-end , can bring excellent results for SEO and multichannel content marketing.

If you want to learn more about this topic, we recommend you rush to the CMS Headless and SEO webinar: Davide Rosi, Technical SEO & Web Performance Specialist of Fattoretto Agency and Andrea Faliva, CEO & Founder of Palazzina Creativa (heh heh) present practical examples and case studies of websites developed in headless mode that have already improved their visibility and performance.
You can find the recording of the webinar here: enjoy!