How much does headless commerce cost?

A headless build costs 2-3x more than a traditional implementation. Maintenance costs are also higher (two systems to update). Exact pricing after a requirements analysis.

Which platform is best as a headless backend?

Shopify (Hydrogen + Storefront API) is the best SaaS option. Shopware (Frontends + Store API) is the best open source option. WooCommerce works when you have a lot of WordPress content. PrestaShop only for specific cases.

Is headless faster than a traditional store?

It can be, but not automatically. Headless gives the potential for an ultra-fast frontend (SSR, SSG, edge rendering). But a poorly implemented headless setup can be slower than a well-optimized traditional store.

Does SEO work with headless?

Yes, if the frontend renders HTML server-side (SSR) or generates static pages (SSG). We use Next.js/Nuxt with SSR/SSG so Google sees full HTML.

Can I start traditional and switch to headless later?

Yes - and we often recommend this path. Start with a traditional theme, grow the business. When needs mature - migrate to headless gradually, section by section.

Cross-platform Headless Commerce

Headless commerce - full frontend control, e-commerce platform as backend

Q: What is headless commerce?

Headless commerce is an architecture where the frontend and backend are separated and communicate via API. The frontend is a standalone application (React, Vue.js, Next.js), the backend is an e-commerce platform. The result: full control over design, UX and frontend performance.

Q: Do I need headless?

Probably not. Headless makes sense when you need full frontend control, performance is critical, you have a complex ecosystem (PIM + ERP + CRM) or you want multi-frontend. Standard B2C e-commerce with a few thousand products doesn't need headless.

We build ultra-fast frontends on React, Vue.js and Next.js, connected to Shopify, Shopware, WooCommerce or PrestaShop as backends. Complete design, performance and UX freedom - without platform template limitations.

Free consultation What is headless?

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Architecture

Backend and frontend - separated

Traditional (monolithic)

Frontend + backend in one

The platform generates HTML, CSS and JS - you customize the template. Every design change requires working within the platform's templating system. Speed depends on the entire stack.

Browser ↔ Platform (frontend + backend + database)

Headless

Frontend independent from backend

The frontend (React/Vue/Next.js) and backend (e-commerce platform) communicate via API. Full design, UX and performance freedom. Multiple frontends connected to one backend.

Custom frontend ↔ API ↔ E-commerce backend

The key difference: in headless you can change the frontend without touching the backend. You can connect multiple frontends (web, mobile app, kiosk) to one backend. You can achieve performance impossible in a traditional setup (SSR, SSG, edge rendering).

Honest filter

Let's be honest: headless isn't for everyone

Headless makes sense when:

You need full control over design and UX - the platform template is limiting you
Performance is critical - you want sub-second loading (SSR/SSG, edge rendering)
You have a complex ecosystem (PIM + ERP + CRM + commerce) and need API-first
You want to serve multiple channels from one backend (web + mobile app + kiosk)
Your dev team has React/Vue/Next.js skills and wants full freedom
You plan frequent frontend changes (A/B tests, redesigns) without touching the backend

Headless doesn't make sense when:

Your budget is limited - headless costs 2-3x more than a traditional build
You don't have a technical team to maintain two systems (frontend + backend)
Your store is simple (up to 5,000 products, standard flow, single market)
The platform template fully meets your requirements
You want to launch fast - headless extends time-to-market
You don't have a specific technical reason - headless because it's trendy is a bad reason

If headless isn't for you - that's great. We develop stores on all 4 platforms in the traditional approach, with full template customization. Headless is a tool, not a goal.

Platforms

Headless on Shopify, Shopware, WooCommerce and PrestaShop

Shopify

Hydrogen + Storefront API

The most mature headless ecosystem in the SaaS model. Hydrogen (React/Remix) + Storefront API (GraphQL). Hosting on Shopify Oxygen (edge rendering).

Stack: React (Remix) + GraphQL + Oxygen Maturity: High

Shopify Plus →

Shopware

Frontends + Store API

API-first from the start. Shopware Frontends (Vue.js/Nuxt) or custom frontend. The best headless option in open source enterprise.

Stack: Vue.js (Nuxt) + REST API Maturity: High

Shopware Development →

WooCommerce

WP REST API + WC REST API

REST API (products, orders, customers) + WordPress REST API. No official headless framework, but possible with Next.js/Nuxt. Checkout requires additional work.

Stack: Next.js/Nuxt + REST API Maturity: Medium

WooCommerce Development →

PrestaShop

Webservice API

Webservice API (CRUD for products, orders), but NOT an API-first platform. Headless is possible but requires custom middleware. We recommend it only in specific cases.

Stack: Next.js/Nuxt + REST + middleware Maturity: Low

PrestaShop Development →

	Shopify	Shopware	WooCommerce	PrestaShop
Framework	Hydrogen (React/Remix)	Frontends (Vue/Nuxt)	No official	No official
API	Storefront API (GraphQL)	Store API (REST)	WC + WP REST API	Webservice API (REST)
Checkout via API	Yes (full)	Yes (full)	Partial	Limited (custom)
Frontend hosting	Oxygen (edge)	Any (Vercel, Netlify)	Any	Any
Maturity	High	High	Medium	Low
Recommendation	Headless SaaS	Headless open source	When lots of WP content	Specific cases

Services

Headless commerce services

Custom frontend design and build

Full headless project from scratch: requirements analysis, stack selection, UX/UI in Figma, implementation, backend integration, testing, deploy. From brief to go-live.

Frontend-backend integration (API layer)

Connecting a custom frontend with the platform: products, cart, checkout, payments, user accounts. Middleware / BFF if needed - e.g. data aggregation from multiple sources.

Performance optimization

SSR, SSG, ISR, edge rendering. Target: LCP <1s, TTFB <200ms. CDN configuration, cache strategies, prefetching.

Headless CMS + commerce

Combining an e-commerce backend with a headless CMS (Strapi, Contentful, Sanity, WordPress). Products from the commerce API, content from the CMS, unified experience.

Multi-frontend (web + mobile + kiosk)

One backend, multiple frontends: web storefront, PWA, native mobile app, in-store kiosk. API as single source of truth.

Migration from monolithic to headless

Strangler fig approach: we start with one section (e.g. product pages), the rest stays on the traditional frontend - gradually taking over the whole site. Minimal risk.

Technologies

Frontend stack

React

The most popular UI library. Foundation of Next.js and Shopify Hydrogen (Remix).

Next.js

React framework with SSR, SSG, ISR, API routes. The most common choice for headless e-commerce. Hosting: Vercel, Netlify, self-hosted.

Remix

React meta-framework. Foundation of Shopify Hydrogen. Server-side focus, nested routing, streaming.

Vue.js 3

Reactive UI framework. Foundation of Shopware Frontends (Nuxt).

Nuxt 3

Vue.js framework with SSR, SSG, auto-imports. Official framework for Shopware Frontends.

TypeScript

Typed JavaScript. Standard in headless projects - safer, easier to maintain.

Tailwind CSS

Utility-first CSS framework. Fast prototyping, consistent design system.

GraphQL / REST

Frontend-backend communication protocols. GraphQL (Shopify Storefront API), REST (Shopware, WooCommerce, PrestaShop).

Vercel / Netlify

Hosting platforms with edge rendering, automatic CI/CD, preview deployments.

Figma

UX/UI design before development. Every headless project starts with design.

Collaboration

How we can work together

Full headless build

New headless storefront from scratch: strategy, stack selection, Figma, frontend build, backend integration, testing, deploy. Fixed quote, milestone-based payments.

Timeline: 8-16 weeks

Extending an existing headless setup

You already have a headless storefront - we extend it: new sections, integrations, optimization, new features. One-off projects or hourly packages.

Model: Quoted project or package from 10h/mo

Ongoing support

Frontend + backend requires two types of maintenance: frontend updates (dependencies, framework), backend updates (platform, plugins), monitoring, CI/CD.

Response: Up to 4h (critical) / 24h (standard)

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

An architecture where the frontend (what the customer sees) and backend (products, orders, checkout) are separated and communicate via API. The frontend is a standalone application (React, Vue.js, Next.js), the backend is an e-commerce platform. The result: full control over design, UX and frontend performance.

A headless build costs 2-3x more than a traditional one. Maintenance costs are also higher (two systems to update). Exact pricing after a requirements analysis.

Probably not - and that's perfectly fine. Headless makes sense when: you need full frontend control, performance is critical, you have a complex ecosystem (PIM + ERP + CRM), or you want multi-frontend. Standard B2C e-commerce with a few thousand products - a traditional template with customization will suffice and be cheaper.

Shopify (Hydrogen + Storefront API) - best in the SaaS model. Shopware (Frontends + Store API) - best in open source, with native B2B. WooCommerce - when you have a lot of WordPress content. PrestaShop - only for specific cases (the API is not API-first).

It can be - but not automatically. Headless gives the potential for an ultra-fast frontend (SSR, SSG, edge rendering, <1s LCP). But a poorly implemented headless setup can be slower than a well-optimized traditional store. Speed depends on implementation, not architecture.

Yes - if the frontend renders HTML server-side (SSR) or generates static pages (SSG). Client-side rendering without SSR = indexing problems. That's why we use Next.js / Nuxt with SSR/SSG - Google sees full HTML, meta tags, structured data. SEO in headless can actually be better than traditional (faster LCP = better ranking).

Yes - and we often recommend this path. Start with a traditional theme (faster launch, lower cost), grow the business. When revenue, needs and team mature - migrate to headless. Strangler fig approach: gradually, section by section, no big bang.

Not sure if headless is right for you? Let's talk.

Describe your needs - we'll tell you honestly whether headless makes sense in your case. If not - we'll suggest the traditional approach. No obligation.

Free consultation

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