Why Agencies Are Moving to Headless WordPress (And How You Can do That Too)

Are you looking to improve your client sites’ performance, security, and design flexibility? Headless WordPress is the right solution. 

Of course, like any new approach, going headless comes with its own challenges. But the benefits can’t be overlooked. For example, it gives your web developers a lot more control over the frontend area, while still keeping content management easy for everyone else.

In this article, we’ll explain why headless WordPress is the ideal solution for agencies, and how InstaWP can streamline your headless development workflow. 

Let’s dive in!

What is Headless WordPress?

Headless WordPress is an approach to building websites that separates the backend (content management) from the frontend (user interface).

In a traditional WordPress setup, the backend and frontend are tightly integrated, since WordPress manages content and also controls how it is displayed to users.

Meanwhile, in a headless setup, WordPress is only used as a backend content management system (CMS). The frontend is built using other frameworks or technologies like React, Vue.js, or Angular.

Guggenheim Museum, one of the world’s most renowned art institutions, makes a good example of how this concept works in real life.

Let’s take a closer look at the tech stack behind their site:

As you can see, WordPress handles their site’s content creation, storage, and management, but doesn’t dictate how that content is presented.

So, instead of relying on themes and templates, their content is delivered via REST APIs or GraphQL to a custom-built frontend.

This decoupling allows developers to design the frontend with complete flexibility, and use modern frameworks (like Vue.js) to create faster, more interactive websites.

To simplify things, here’s a side-by-side comparison of traditional vs. headless WordPress:

Feature	Traditional WordPress	Headless WordPress
Frontend Control	Managed by WordPress themes	Fully custom, built using external frameworks
Performance	Can be slower due to theme-related overhead	Faster, optimized with modern frontend frameworks
Flexibility	Limited by WordPress’s theme system	Unlimited, as the frontend is independent
Development Workflow	Simple but constrained by WordPress features	More complex but highly customizable
Use Cases	Best for blogs and small websites	Ideal for web apps, dynamic sites, and scaling

Why Agencies Prefer Headless WordPress

More and more agencies are turning to headless WordPress to keep up with today’s web development standards. 

Here’s why:

• Improved Performance and Scalability: Headless WordPress allows agencies to use modern frontend frameworks that load content faster and handle higher traffic volumes more efficiently.
• Enhanced Security Features: Separating the frontend from the backend minimizes vulnerabilities, as the WordPress core is not directly exposed to the public.
• Flexibility in Frontend Development: Developers can create unique and dynamic user interfaces using frameworks like React and Vue.js.
• Faster Content Delivery via APIs: With APIs like REST or GraphQL, content is delivered quickly to multiple platforms, which can bring positive user experiences across devices.
• Easier Collaboration: Web designers and developers can work on their tasks independently, speeding up the project timelines.

Benefits of Going Headless for Agencies

Still not sold on the idea of switching to headless WordPress? These benefits will change your mind.

• Streamlined Multi-Channel Publishing: You can manage content in one place and push it to websites, apps, or even smart devices. This will save time and reduce duplication of effort.
• Fully Customized: You’re no longer restricted by WordPress themes. This means more freedom to create customized designs and features that meet specific client needs.
• Better Client Satisfaction: Clients benefit from websites that look and perform better, which can lead to higher user engagement and conversion rates.
• Adaptability to New Technologies: Whether it’s integrating websites with AI tools, adding AR/VR features, or preparing for future tech trends, headless WordPress provides the flexibility to stay current.
• Higher Scalability: As your clients’ sites grow, headless WordPress is better equipped to handle increasing traffic.

Challenges of Headless WordPress

While headless WordPress offers lots of advantages, it also comes with its own set of challenges that need to be tackled, such as:

• Steep Learning Curve for Development Teams: Switching to headless WordPress requires developers to learn modern frameworks like React and understand how to work with REST APIs or GraphQL, which can be time-consuming.
• Complex Setup and Maintenance: Setting up and maintaining a headless architecture involves managing separate backend and frontend environments, which adds to the complexity.
• Dependency on Third-Party Tools: Building a headless site often requires third-party tools and services for hosting, frontend frameworks, and API integrations.
• Higher Initial Development Costs: The time and expertise needed to build a headless solution can make initial costs higher compared to traditional WordPress projects.
• Limited Plugin Compatibility: Many plugins are designed for a traditional WordPress setup. So, they will not work seamlessly in a headless environment.
• Content Management Challenges: Content writers and publishers will find it hard to preview changes since the decoupled frontend doesn’t offer a live preview of their edits.
• Ongoing Updates and Support: Maintaining a headless setup requires continuous updates to both the backend and frontend, which can strain resources if not planned effectively.

How to Transition to Headless WordPress

Moving to headless WordPress won’t be easy, as it requires careful planning and the right tools.

But no need to worry ⇁ we’ve prepared this tutorial to ensure a smooth transition:

1. Assess Your Agency’s Needs and Goals

Before diving into headless WordPress, evaluate your agency’s requirements and the specific goals for your projects:

• Client Demands: Do your clients need highly customized designs, faster load times, or multi-platform publishing?
• Project Types: Determine if headless WordPress aligns with the complexity and scope of your projects.
• Team Expertise: Assess whether your team has the necessary skills or if training will be required.

Clearly identifying your needs will ensure that the transition aligns with your long-term goals.

2. Choose the Right Headless CMS Setup

While WordPress itself serves as the backend in a headless setup, you’ll need to decide how it integrates with your frontend:

• API Options: Decide between REST API and GraphQL depending on your project needs. GraphQL is more flexible but has a steeper learning curve.
• Frontend Frameworks: Evaluate frameworks like Vue.js or Next.js based on your team’s expertise and the project’s requirements.
• Hosting Solutions: Choose hosting providers optimized for headless WordPress setups to gain high performance.

3. Prepare Tools and Technologies for a Headless WordPress Architecture

If you decide that headless WordPress is the right fit your agency, here are some tools you need to prepare:

• GraphQL and REST APIs: These API technologies play a central role in fetching data from WordPress and delivering it to the frontend.
• InstaWP: InstaWP is an essential tool for headless WordPress projects. Use it to quickly build, test, and host WordPress instances. Its staging capabilities also allow you to create sandbox environments for developing and testing headless environments without disrupting live projects.
• Front End Development Tools: Equip your developers with modern frameworks like Next.js for building an interactive frontend. These frameworks work well with headless WordPress APIs.
• Version Control and Deployment: Use tools like GitHub or Bitbucket for version control and platforms to deploy your frontend (such as InstaWP Live).
• Content Sync Tools: Tools like InstaWP Connect simplify two-way syncing between the WordPress backend and the custom frontend.

4. Train Your Team

Besides upgrading your tech stack, switching to headless WordPress also calls for some team upskilling. 

Concentrate on these areas:

• API Knowledge: Conduct workshops on REST and GraphQL.
• Frontend Frameworks: Train developers on the chosen frontend technologies, including key features and deployment practices.
• Content Team Training: Educate your content team on how the backend works and provide tools to preview content effectively in a decoupled environment.

5. Build a Pilot Project

Start small by creating a pilot project to test the waters. This could be an internal website or a non-critical client project. 

Use this phase to:

• Test the tools and development workflows.
• Identify challenges and bottlenecks.
• Create documentation for smoother transitions in future projects.

6. Establish a Workflow for Maintenance and Updates

Since a headless setup requires ongoing updates for both backend and frontend components, develop a workflow to:

• Ensure API endpoints are updated and secure.
• Regularly test compatibility between WordPress updates and your custom frontend.
• Monitor performance with tools like Google Lighthouse or GTmetrix.

7. Scale Your Headless Projects

Once you’ve successfully implemented headless WordPress for a few clients, focus on scaling:

• Automate repetitive tasks using tools like InstaWP Launcher for quick plugin and theme testing.
• Create reusable frontend components to reduce development time.
• Build a library of templates and guides to onboard new team members efficiently.

Can’t download InstaWP’s Chrome Extension? Use this download link to get it manually. Read this blog post to know why it’s unavailable.

How to Build and Test Headless WordPress Sites

Using InstaWP, you can build and test headless WordPress sites with ease, from setting up your CMS to deploying your site and managing it at scale. 

Let’s break it down into actionable steps!

1. Create a WordPress Staging Site

Visit InstaWP and log in or create an account if you’re a new user. Once logged in, navigate to ‘Dashboard’ and click the ‘Add New’ button.

You’ll be prompted to configure the new site::

• WordPress Version: Select the latest version for compatibility with modern APIs.
• PHP Version: Pick a PHP version that aligns with your project requirements. If unsure, the default version works for most cases.
• Server Location: Choose the location of your staging site’s server.
• Site Name: Type your site name here. It will automatically use the ‘instawp.xyz’ extension. However, you can change it to your custom domain later.

Once done, click ‘Next Step’ and choose the plugins you want to use. Each of them will be automatically installed to your staging site.

After choosing the plugins, click ‘Create Site’, and InstaWP will create your staging site in seconds.

When the staging site is created, you will get a direct login link (Magic Login) to access the WordPress admin panel without entering your credentials. 

2. Prepare the Site for Headless Development

Now that your staging site is ready, it’s time to configure it for headless use by enabling APIs and optimizing settings:

Step 1: Install and Activate the Required Plugins

Go to Plugins > Add New from the WordPress admin dashboard. Then, find and install essential plugins like:

• WPGraphQL: Enables a flexible GraphQL API for fetching WordPress content.
• InstaWP Connect: Simplifies managing staging environments and syncing content.

Don’t forget to activate the plugins once installed.

Step 2: Set Permalinks for API Compatibility

• Navigate to Settings > Permalinks from the dashboard.

• Select the ‘Post Name’ option to ensure clean, SEO-friendly URL structures for your API endpoints.

• Save your changes to update the permalink settings.

Step 3: Disable Frontend Themes (Optional)

Since headless WordPress doesn’t rely on traditional themes, you can install a lightweight blank theme to simplify the backend.

One of our recommended themes is ‘BlankSlate’, which minimizes unnecessary styling and scripts.

Step 4: Verify API Endpoints

Test your site’s API endpoints to ensure they’re working correctly:

• For REST API: Access “https://your-site-url.com/wp-json/” in your browser to view the JSON data.
• For WPGraphQL: Visit “https://your-site-url.com/graphql/” to test the GraphQL schema and queries.

Step 5: Prepare Content for API Fetching

• Add sample posts, pages, or custom post types in the WordPress backend.
• Organize your content using categories, tags, and metadata to ensure clean and structured data output through the API.

3. Connect APIs to Front-End Frameworks

Next, we’ll link WPGraphQL with React so you can begin creating your headless WordPress frontend:

Step 1: Set Up Your React Application

To create a React project, open your terminal in Visual Studio Code and run this code:

npx create-react-app headless-wp-react

cd headless-wp-react

This will generate a new React application with all the necessary dependencies. After that, you have to install the required libraries.

If you want to work with GraphQL, install @apollo/client and graphql libraries, which allow you to query the WPGraphQL API:

npm install @apollo/client graphql

Step 2: Configure Apollo Client for WPGraphQL

Set up Apollo Client by opening the src folder and creating a file called apolloClient.js. 

Add the following code to configure Apollo Client:

import { ApolloClient, InMemoryCache } from ‘@apollo/client’;

const client = new ApolloClient({

  uri: ‘https://your-wordpress-site.com/graphql’, // Replace with your WPGraphQL endpoint

  cache: new InMemoryCache(),

});

export default client;

Next, open src/index.js and wrap your app in ApolloProvider to make the client available throughout your application:

import React from ‘react’;

import ReactDOM from ‘react-dom’;

import { ApolloProvider } from ‘@apollo/client’;

import App from ‘./App’;

import client from ‘./apolloClient’;

ReactDOM.render(

  <ApolloProvider client={client}>

    <App />

  </ApolloProvider>,

  document.getElementById(‘root’)

);

Step 3: Fetch Data from WPGraphQL

Create a new file called queries.js in the src folder and define a query to fetch WordPress data:

import { gql } from ‘@apollo/client’;

export const GET_SITE_TITLE = gql`

  query GetSiteTitle {

    generalSettings {

      title

    }

  }

`;

In your App.js, use the useQuery hook to fetch and display data:

import React from ‘react’;

import { useQuery } from ‘@apollo/client’;

import { GET_SITE_TITLE } from ‘./queries’;

const App = () => {

  const { loading, error, data } = useQuery(GET_SITE_TITLE);

  console.log(‘Query Loading:’, loading);

  console.log(‘Query Error:’, error);

  console.log(‘Query Data:’, data);

  if (loading) return <p>Loading…</p>;

  if (error) return <p>Error: {error.message}</p>;

  return <h1>{data.generalSettings.title}</h1>;

};

export default App;

<filling up the app.js file>

Step 4: Run and Test Your Application

Run the following command to start the development server:

npm start

Open your browser and go to http://localhost:3000 to see your WordPress content displayed on the React frontend.

Since we’re using the GET_SITE_TITLE query, the page will only show our staging site’s post title. You can adjust the content based on the queries you send later on:

Make sure the data is being fetched and displayed correctly. If there are issues, verify the WPGraphQL endpoint and double check whether your WordPress site has the necessary content and settings.

4. Run Performance Tests in a Staging Environment

Performance testing is a vital process to ensure your headless website is fast and reliable. Here are several methods you can try:

Method 1: Use Google Lighthouse

• Open your site in Google Chrome.
• Press F12 button to open DevTools, go to the Lighthouse tab, and run a performance report by clicking the Analyze page load button.
• Analyze vital metrics like LCP, TTFB, and the overall site speed.
• Run tests for both mobile and desktop views to ensure seamless performance across different devices.

Method 2: Utilize WebPageTest

• Visit WebPageTest and enter your staging site’s URL.
• You will get detailed waterfall charts and recommendations based on the site’s current performance.

Method 3: Use InstaWP’s Logs Feature

InstaWP provides access to error logs, access logs, and database queries. Use all this information to identify backend performance bottlenecks.

• In your InstaWP dashboard, go to Tools > View Logs.

• Use the log history to identify any existing issues on your site.

5. Choose the Right Hosting Service

At this point, you’re ready to deploy your headless staging site to production.

But to do that smoothly, you will need a fast and reliable web hosting provider. When weighing your options, consider the following criteria:

1. Performance and Speed

Your backend hosting must deliver fast response times for API calls (GraphQL or REST) to ensure smooth frontend performance.

What to Look For:

• Low latency servers optimized for WordPress.
• SSD storage and CDN integration for faster content delivery.
• Server-side caching to reduce API response times.

2. Scalability

Headless sites often experience dynamic traffic due to multi-platform usage (web, apps, IoT). That’s why you need a scalable hosting plan to maintain top-notch performance, no matter how busy your site gets.

What to Look For:

• Auto-scaling infrastructure to handle traffic spikes.
• Flexible resource allocation for growing site demands.

3. Reliability and Uptime

A reliable backend ensures your APIs are consistently available, preventing frontend downtime.

What to Look For:

• 99.9% uptime guarantee.
• Redundant servers to handle failures seamlessly.

4. Developer-Friendly Features

A headless WordPress site requires advanced development and debugging tools. So, it’s important to choose a hosting service that provides developer-friendly features.

What to Look For:

• SSH access, Git integration, and staging environments.
• Logs and error reporting for troubleshooting API issues.

If you use InstaWP to create your staging site, we recommend deploying it to production with InstaWP Live – our managed WordPress hosting solution. 

This way, you don’t have to go through the hassle of manual file transfers and database migrations. You can simply deploy your staging site to the live server in just a few clicks.

Starting at just $18/site/month, InstaWP Live also offers everything you need to create, manage, and scale multiple headless projects.

See how InstaWP Live compares to other typical hosting providers in this quick breakdown:

Feature	InstaWP Live	Other Hosting Provider
Optimized for Headless	✅ Yes	❌ Often limited
Staging Environments	✅ Instant and integrated	❌ Requires manual setup
API Performance	✅ Low-latency optimized	❌ Standard performance
Developer-Friendly Tools	✅ Built-in	❌ Limited or absent
Cost-Effectiveness	✅ Transparent pricing	❌ Often expensive

6. Deploy Your Staging Site to Production

To deploy your staging website, head to the ‘Staging’ tab in your InstaWP dashboard. Under ‘Actions’, click the rocket icon (Go Live).

You’ll be asked to choose your hosting provider. You can select InstaWP Live to host your site with us or migrate to other web hosts.

We’ll explain the steps for each method.

Method 1: Host Your Site with InstaWP Live

• Add your payment method. 
• Choose a pricing plan that suits your needs.
• Choose your preferred data center location, PHP version, and domain name.

• Select the plugins or themes you need for your website.

• Hit the Go Live button and wait a few minutes as your site is being launched.

Method 2: Choose a Supported Provider

• Add a new hosting account from one of these providers: Pressable, Servebolt, RunCloud, and Server Avatar.
• Configure the website settings, including the server, domain name, and PHP version.

• Select the plugins and themes you want to install.
• Click Next Step and sit tight while the system sets up your website.

Method 3: Migrate to Another Host via URL

If you already host a live website on another provider, choose this method. However, make sure that your site has a blank WordPress installed.

• Enter your live website URL.
• Click ‘Connect Website’.
• Begin the migration process.

7. Manage and Scale Your Headless WordPress Site

If the deployment process is successful, your live website will appear inside the ‘Connects’ menu. When you click your domain name, you will see a control panel to manage your site.

In this panel, you can manage every aspect of your website in no time. Here are some of its key features:

1. Monitor Website Metrics

At a glance, you can access essential details about your website:

• Uptime Rate: Track your site’s reliability and make sure it stays online without any interruptions.
• WordPress and PHP Versions: Ensure your site is running the latest and most secure versions of WordPress and PHP.
• Disk Space Usage: Keep an eye on how much storage your site is using. So, you can manage its resources effectively.

2. Add More Themes or Plugins

Quickly add, remove, or update themes and plugins directly from the panel. This feature lets you make real-time changes to your website’s design and features without the need for logging to your site.

3. Manage User Permissions

Control user access by managing roles and authorities. Whether you’re granting admin privileges or limiting specific actions, you have full control over who can do what on your site.

4. Create Staging Sites

With a few clicks, you can clone your live site to a staging environment for testing updates, plugins, or design changes. 

5. Scan for Vulnerabilities

Protect your website by running security scans to detect vulnerabilities or malware. The dashboard provides actionable insights to help you secure your site quickly.

6. Test Site Performance

Run performance scans to evaluate your site’s loading times and identify areas for optimization. Regular performance checks help maintain a fast and user-friendly experience.

7. Review Activity Logs

The activity logs provide a detailed history of all changes and actions taken on your website. This is particularly useful for troubleshooting issues or tracking updates made by team members.

Not only does InstaWP help you manage your site, we can also help you scale your headless WordPress project effortlessly. For instance, you can:

• Upgrade your hosting plan on InstaWP Live to increase server resources.
• Monitor resource usage in the InstaWP dashboard to decide when it’s time for an upgrade.
• Integrate your site with popular CDNs like Cloudflare to support fast, global content delivery.

Benefits of Using InstaWP for Headless Development

We’ve covered why InstaWP Live is ideal for hosting your headless sites. But how does it stack up for development?

The answer is clear: InstaWP comes packed with features to make headless WordPress development easier than ever, such as:

• Speed and Simplicity in Building Prototypes: InstaWP enables rapid creation of WordPress sites. This accelerates the prototyping phase while facilitating quick client approvals.
• Smooth Testing Without Affecting Live Sites: With InstaWP, you can create isolated staging environments to test headless sites. This isolation is crucial for identifying and resolving issues before deployment.
• One-Click Deployment to Production: You can simplify the deployment process with InstaWP’s one-click migration feature, which enables a smooth transition from development to production environments.
• Integrated Development Tools: InstaWP provides built-in code editors, database managers, and log viewers, offering a comprehensive development environment. 
• Template Management and Reusability: With InstaWP’s Template Store, you can save and reuse site templates, which streamlines the setup of new projects. 
• Real-Time Collaboration: InstaWP supports collaborative workflows, so multiple team members can work simultaneously on a project. This real-time collaboration enhances productivity and ensures cohesive development efforts.
• Scalability and Performance Optimization: InstaWP’s infrastructure is designed to handle projects of varying scales. This scalability is essential for agencies managing multiple client projects with diverse requirements.

Best Practices for Agencies Transitioning to Headless WordPress 

If you’re planning to transition to headless WordPress, here are some best practices you can do to ensure successful shift:

• Train Teams in Modern Front-End Development: Equip your developers with the skills to work with modern front end frameworks. Encourage ongoing learning through workshops, courses, and hands-on projects.
• Leverage InstaWP for Client Demos and Proofs of Concept: Use InstaWP to quickly set up demo environments. So, clients can see the potential of a headless setup in real time.
• Ensure Scalability and Long-Term Maintenance: Design your projects with scalability in mind. Use modular code, efficient APIs, and hosting solutions that can grow alongside your clients’ needs. 
• Create Clear Workflows for Collaboration: Establish processes where back-end and front-end teams can work independently yet cohesively. Use project management tools like Trello, Asana, or Jira to maintain visibility and coordination across teams.
• Develop a Content Management Strategy: Work with clients to streamline how content will be managed and published in a headless setup. You can provide tutorials for content creators to make the backend user-friendly and efficient.
• Optimize API Usage: Plan your API calls strategically to minimize server load and ensure fast response times. Implement caching solutions where applicable to reduce API dependency.
• Document Everything: Maintain comprehensive documentation of your development process, tools, and workflows. This will help onboard new team members and make troubleshooting easier.

Conclusion

As client expectations rise, agencies must deliver websites that are faster, more engaging, and more adaptable across platforms. 

Headless WordPress offers the flexibility needed to meet these demands, and InstaWP removes the friction from this transition. 

By simplifying staging, deployment, and hosting, InstaWP can help your agency to focus on creativity and innovation rather than technical hurdles.

Ready to elevate your agency’s capabilities? Let’s sign up to InstaWP today!

FAQs

Is headless WordPress free?

Yes, WordPress itself is free and open-source, and you can use it as a backend CMS for headless development without additional costs. 

However, you’ll likely need third-party tools and services for the frontend, hosting, and APIs, which can incur expenses. Costs will depend on the tools you choose, such as React, Next.js, or hosting platforms like InstaWP.

Is headless CMS bad for SEO?

No, a headless CMS is not inherently bad for SEO. However, it requires extra effort to implement SEO-friendly features because WordPress’s built-in SEO tools won’t automatically work with the frontend. 

Developers must manually configure elements like meta tags, structured data, and XML sitemaps. 

Using tools like Next.js and Nuxt.js, which support server-side rendering (SSR), can also significantly improve SEO for headless sites.

Is headless WordPress more secure?

Yes, headless WordPress can enhance security by separating the public-facing frontend from the backend. 

The backend CMS is not directly exposed to the internet, reducing the risk of attacks like brute force or SQL injection. 

Additionally, APIs allow more control over data flow, which further strengthens security when implemented correctly.

Is headless WordPress faster?

Yes, headless WordPress often delivers faster performance, as the frontend is built with modern frameworks optimized for speed. 

By decoupling the backend, you can load only the necessary data using APIs, which can reduce page load times. 

Techniques like static site generation (SSG) and caching can also further boost site speed.

What is the best frontend for headless WordPress?

The best frontend depends on your project’s needs and your team’s expertise. Popular options include:

• React: Widely used and supported by libraries like Next.js for server-side rendering.
• Vue.js: Lightweight and flexible, great for smaller projects.
• Next.js: A React framework that supports SSG and SSR, making it ideal for SEO and performance.

When should you transition to headless WordPress?

You should consider transitioning to headless WordPress when:

• Your clients require high-performance, scalable, and customizable websites.
• You need multi-platform content delivery, such as for apps, websites, and IoT devices.
• Traditional WordPress themes and plugins no longer meet your project requirements.

Remember, take time to assess your team’s skills and the scope of your project before switching to headless WordPress.