Headless commerce

What is headless commerce?

Headless commerce is an ecommerce architecture where the front end (what the customer sees) is separated from the back end (where data and processes live). This allows developers and merchants to build customized shopping experiences while maintaining powerful backend functionality.

Why is headless commerce used?

The biggest advantage of headless commerce is flexibility. Businesses can design unique customer experiences across multiple channels, like web, mobile, apps, and even voice or IoT without being tied to a single platform’s limitations. It enables faster changes, better performance, and smoother integrations.

How does headless commerce work?

In a headless commerce setup, the frontend communicates with the backend through APIs. While the backend still handles tasks like inventory, checkout, and payments, the frontend can be built using any modern technology React, Vue, or native mobile frameworks. This decoupling allows independent updates and scaling.

Example of headless commerce in action

A Shopify store using a custom-built React storefront that pulls product and checkout data from Shopify’s Storefront API is an example of headless commerce. It gives full design control while leveraging Shopify’s backend features.

Driftcharge Tip

Headless commerce is ideal for brands looking to innovate, improve site speed, and scale across multiple platforms. However, it often requires more development resources than traditional setups.

Ganesh Pawar

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Ganesh Pawar is the founder of Driftcharge, a subscription management app designed to help Shopify merchants streamline and scale their subscription businesses. With a deep focus on solving real-world pain points—like legacy account page support, flexible subscription options, and advanced analytics—Ganesh is passionate about building tools that drive growth and retention.