How to Set Up Headless WordPress: 2 Simple Methods

Using a headless WordPress setup, you can decouple your website’s front end from its back end, allowing you to deliver lightning-fast, scalable, and more secure web experiences. This approach is particularly beneficial for developers looking to build dynamic front-end applications while leveraging WordPress for content management.

In this guide, we’ll explain what headless WordPress is, how it compares to traditional WordPress, and walk you through two popular setup methods.

Finally, we’ll explore the best frameworks you can use and when it’s ideal to seek professional assistance.

What is Headless WordPress?

In a traditional WordPress setup, the CMS handles both content management (back end) and content display (front end).

When you publish or update content in the admin dashboard, the changes are immediately reflected on the live website. WordPress renders the front end using themes and PHP templates.

By contrast, headless WordPress separates the back end (WordPress admin) from the front end. WordPress still stores and manages content, but the front end is rendered using a JavaScript framework or static site generator that pulls content via the WordPress REST API or GraphQL.

This approach offers improved performance, flexibility in design, and enhanced security.

Traditional WordPress vs Headless WordPress

Here’s a brief summary between the two WordPress setup. This will help you make a well-informed decision.

Feature	Traditional WordPress	Headless WordPress
Architecture	Monolithic (front + back end together)	Decoupled (front and back end separated)
Performance	Dependent on server-side rendering	Faster with static content delivery
Flexibility	Limited by PHP-based themes	Can use modern JS frameworks (React, Vue, etc.)
Security	Front end can expose WordPress vulnerabilities	Static front end reduces attack surface
SEO	Good out of the box	Can be optimized, but requires extra effort

How to Decide if Running WordPress Headless is Right for You?

Deciding to use WordPress as a headless CMS depends on your website needs, technical resources, and long-term goals. Here are some points to consider:

• Website Purpose: If you are building a complex website, such as an app-like platform or a content-heavy site that needs to serve multiple devices (like web and mobile), headless WordPress is a good option. For basic blogs or small business websites, the traditional WordPress setup is usually enough.

• Technical Skills: Running headless WordPress requires developers who can work with front-end technologies like React, Vue, or Angular. If your team does not have coding experience, it may be better to use the standard WordPress approach with built-in themes and plugins.

• Speed and Scalability: Headless WordPress can improve website performance and handle more users at once. If your site needs fast loading times and is expected to grow quickly, headless architecture offers more control over speed and scalability.

• Custom Design: Headless allows full control over how your website looks and works. You are not limited to WordPress themes or page builders. This is useful for brands that want a unique design and custom features.

• Budget and Maintenance: Headless WordPress usually costs more to build and maintain. You will need separate hosting for the front end and back end, and development costs may be higher. If your budget is limited, a standard WordPress site is more affordable.

Discover: Best One-Page WordPress Website Builders for Your Businesses

Hire Professionals to Set Up Headless WordPress

Setting up a headless WordPress website is not just about decoupling the front end from the back end. It involves a deep understanding of hosting environments, static site generators, REST APIs, or GraphQL, and modern JavaScript frameworks like React, Gatsby, or Next.js.

For individuals or businesses unfamiliar with these technologies, the process can quickly become overwhelming. That’s where Seahawk Media comes in.

Check out: How to Build a React Frontend with WordPress Backend

Why Choose Seahawk Media?

At Seahawk, we specialize in delivering tailored, enterprise-grade headless WordPress solutions that combine content flexibility with cutting-edge front-end performance.

Whether you’re a startup looking to scale fast or an enterprise aiming for digital transformation, we offer end-to-end support to make your vision a reality.

Here’s how we can help:

• Custom Headless Architecture Design: We start by understanding your business goals, content structure, and technical requirements. Based on this, we design a robust headless architecture that fits your needs, ensuring seamless communication between WordPress (your CMS) and your chosen front-end technology.

• Integration With Modern Front-End Frameworks: Our developers are well-versed in the latest JavaScript frameworks, from React and Next.js to Gatsby and Vue.js. We ensure your website not only looks great but also performs exceptionally well across all devices and platforms.

• API Optimization & Content Modeling: We streamline how your content is delivered via WordPress REST API or GraphQL, building custom endpoints if needed. This results in faster load times and a smoother user experience.

• Static Site Generation & Hosting Setup: Using tools like WP2Static or frameworks like Gatsby, we help generate highly optimized static versions of your site. We also configure cloud hosting service (AWS, Netlify, Vercel) to ensure your site is secure, scalable, and cost-efficient.

• SEO and Core Web Vitals Optimization: Performance and discoverability are crucial. We implement advanced SEO practices, schema markup, and Core Web Vitals enhancements to ensure your site ranks well and loads instantly.

• Ongoing Support and Maintenance: We offer continuous maintenance, plugin updates, security monitoring, and performance audits to keep your headless WordPress site running smoothly.

How to Set Up a Headless WordPress Website?

You can set up a headless WordPress site using different methods depending on your technical expertise and goals. Below are two commonly used approaches:

Method 1: Use AWS + Plugins to Create a Static Headless WordPress Site

This method involves using WordPress to generate content and exporting a static version of your website that’s hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS). Let’s break it down:

Step 1. Create an account with AWS

Start by signing up for an Amazon Web Services (AWS) account. AWS offers a 12-month free tier for Amazon S3, which is ideal for hosting static websites.

• Go to the Amazon S3 page
• Click Get started with Amazon S3
• Fill out the required details to set up your account
• If logged into an existing Amazon account, the button will read Complete Sign Up

Step 2: Set Up a Local WordPress Environment

You still need a working WordPress installation to manage content. Use Local by Flywheel or XAMPP to create a local WordPress site:

• Download and install Local by Flywheel
• Set up your site locally
• Choose a theme, configure settings, and create your content

Step 3: Generate a Static Copy of Your Site

Once your local site is ready, you can convert it into static HTML files using a plugin. One reliable option is Simply Static, which supports deployment to platforms like:

• AWS S3
• Netlify
• GitHub Pages

After installing the plugin:

• Navigate to Simply Static ⟶ Deploy Static Website
• Enter the destination URL (e.g., your S3-hosted domain)
• Select Amazon S3 as the deployment option

Step 4: Connect and Deploy to AWS

You’ll need to configure the following:

• AWS Access Key ID
• AWS Secret Access Key

Make sure these credentials have proper permissions for S3 bucket access. AWS provides a step-by-step guide on generating access keys securely. Once linked, Simply Static will automatically publish static pages to your AWS-hosted site.

Know More: How to Integrate Third-Party APIs in WordPress

Method 2: Use JavaScript Frameworks for Dynamic Front-End Development

For more complex applications, developers often use JavaScript frameworks with headless WordPress to fetch and render content dynamically. Here are the top frameworks for this approach:

React: React is a powerful JavaScript library used to build interactive UIs. It supports reusable components, virtual DOM, and JSX syntax, making it a go-to choice for single-page applications.

Faust.js: Developed by WP Engine, Faust.js is purpose-built for headless WordPress. It provides:

• Server-side rendering (SSR)
• Static site generation (SSG)
• Seamless integration with WordPress via GraphQL and REST APIs

Gatsby: Gatsby is a React-based static site generator. It uses GraphQL to pull data from WordPress and delivers blazing-fast performance with pre-rendered static assets. It’s also SEO-friendly and meets Core Web Vitals.

Now, let’s look at the key steps to follow:

Step 1: Set Up Your WordPress Backend

Before diving into the front end, you need a working WordPress installation to serve as your content management system (CMS).

• Install WordPress on a local server or web host
• Set up your content structure (pages, posts, custom post types)
• Enable the REST API (it’s enabled by default in modern WordPress)
• Optionally install WPGraphQL plugin if you plan to use GraphQL instead of REST

Step 2: Choose Your Front-End Framework

Select a JavaScript framework based on your project’s requirements. Common choices include:

• Next.js: SSR and SSG capabilities (great for SEO and performance)

• Gatsby: A Static site generator ideal for speed and scalability

• React: Flexible and widely adopted (used by both Next.js & Gatsby)

• Vue.js or Nuxt.js: Great for smaller apps or Vue-based projects

Step 3: Set Up Your Front-End Project

Use the CLI (Command Line Interface) for your chosen framework to scaffold a new project. For example:

npx create-next-app your-headless-site

Or for Gatsby:

gatsby new your-headless-site

Step 4: Connect to the WordPress API

Now, fetch content from WordPress using:

• REST API: /wp-json/wp/v2/posts, /pages, etc.
• GraphQL API: If using WPGraphQL, send queries from your frontend

Use fetch, Axios, or Apollo Client (for GraphQL) to pull data into your app.

Step 5: Build Front-End Pages & Components

Create reusable components for posts, pages, categories, etc.. Use framework-specific methods to fetch and pre-render content:

• getStaticProps / getServerSideProps in Next.js
• StaticQuery / GraphQL queries in Gatsby

Route your dynamic pages (e.g., blog/[slug].js in Next.js)

Step 6: Style and Optimize the Website

Add Tailwind CSS, Sass, or styled-components for styling. Next, optimize images with plugins like next/image or Gatsby Image. Plus, add SEO meta tags, Open Graph data, and JSON-LD structured data.

Step 7: Deploy Your Site

Once development is complete, deploy your site to platforms like:

• Vercel (ideal for Next.js)
• Netlify (great for Gatsby)
• AWS, DigitalOcean, or traditional hosting

Connect your GitHub repo, set build commands, and your site will be live.

Also Read: How to Create a Headless WooCommerce Site

When Should You Use Headless WordPress Architecture?

While headless WordPress offers flexibility, performance, and scalability, it’s not always the right solution for every project. Understanding when to go headless can help you make informed decisions based on your website’s goals and technical requirements.

Ideal Use Cases for Headless WordPress CMS

Headless WordPress shines in situations where traditional setups fall short. You should consider using it when:

You Run a Content-Heavy Website With High Traffic

If your website serves a large volume of content to thousands of users daily, performance is key. Headless architecture allows you to deliver content via static pages or lightweight APIs, resulting in significantly faster load times and reduced server strain.

Example: News portals, educational platforms, or media-heavy blogs.

You’re Building a Progressive Web App (PWA)

PWAs demand advanced functionality and dynamic interactions that go beyond what WordPress themes can typically handle. With a headless setup, you can build a modern, app-like experience using React, Vue, or Angular while still managing your content via WordPress.

You Need a Fully Custom WordPress Front-End Experience

Sometimes, the flexibility of traditional WordPress themes is simply not enough. If your brand or product demands a highly customized user interface or interactive features, a headless approach gives you full control over design and functionality using modern frameworks.

You’re Distributing Content Across Multiple Platforms

A major benefit of headless WordPress is multi-channel content delivery. If you’re managing content that needs to be published not just on your website, but also in mobile apps, smart devices (IoT), or third-party platforms, APIs make it easy to deliver content consistently across all touchpoints.

When to Avoid Headless WordPress

Although powerful, headless WordPress is not always the best fit. You may want to avoid it in the following cases:

Your Site Depends Heavily on Front-End Plugins

Many WordPress plugins, such as page builders (like Elementor), sliders, or form plugins, are designed to modify the front end directly. These plugins typically won’t work out-of-the-box with a headless setup, which can lead to unexpected behavior or require complex workarounds.

You’re Not Comfortable With Custom Development or APIs

Headless WordPress requires working knowledge of APIs, JavaScript frameworks, and possibly server-side rendering.

If you or your team aren’t experienced with these technologies, managing a headless site may be more complex than beneficial. In such cases, sticking with traditional WordPress might be the safer and more cost-effective option.

Best Practices for Headless WordPress Setup

To ensure a smooth and scalable headless CMS WordPress implementation, it’s essential to follow best practices that cover both the backend (WordPress) and the frontend (frameworks or static site generators).

Below are the key areas that you should focus on while setting up and maintaining your headless architecture.

Plan Your Architecture Before Development Begins

Before you write any code, define the structure of your website and how data will flow between the backend and frontend.

• Decide whether to use REST API or GraphQL depending on your use case.
• Choose the appropriate front-end framework (e.g., Next.js, Gatsby, Vue).
• Identify content types, user roles, and necessary endpoints early on.

Use Custom Post Types and Fields Strategically

To keep your content structured and flexible, leverage WordPress features like Custom Post Types (CPTs) and Advanced Custom Fields (ACF).

• Structure content based on the frontend requirements.
• Use ACF to define specific content blocks for easier API integration.

Optimize API Responses for Performance

Efficient API handling can make a significant difference in your site’s performance.

• Use only the necessary fields in your API calls.
• Implement pagination for lists to reduce payload size.
• Cache API responses when possible to reduce server load.

Secure Your APIs and Endpoints

Security should not be overlooked, especially when exposing your WordPress content publicly through APIs.

• Limit access to only the data that’s required.
• Use authentication tokens or API keys where appropriate.
• Regularly audit API access and permissions.

Ensure Front-End and Back-End Syncing

Headless setups require tight coordination between your content structure and frontend code.

• Maintain consistent field names and structures across environments.
• Set up webhooks or build automation tools to sync content changes with the front-end.
• Test content flow regularly to catch disconnects early.

Leverage Static Site Generators for Speed

For content that doesn’t change frequently, using static site generators like Gatsby or Next.js (with Static Site Generation) can dramatically boost performance.

• Pre-render static pages at build time.
• Set up rebuild triggers using tools like Netlify or Vercel.

Focus on SEO and Accessibility from the Start

SEO and accessibility are often harder to manage in headless environments, so it’s critical to plan for them early.

• Use meta tags, structured data (JSON-LD), and canonical URLs.
• Generate dynamic sitemaps and robots.txt files.
• Ensure your frontend framework supports semantic HTML and ARIA attributes.

Implement Scalable Deployment Workflows

Finally, your deployment strategy must support growth and content updates without friction.

• Use CI/CD pipelines for automated builds and deployments.
• Host your frontend on platforms optimized for performance (like Vercel, Netlify, or AWS).
• Monitor site health and update dependencies regularly.

Conclusion: Launch Your Headless WordPress Site with Confidence

Headless WordPress is a powerful approach that offers greater flexibility, improved performance, and future-proof scalability for modern websites.

For beginners, setting up headless WordPress might initially seem too technical, but by following the right steps and tools, you can gradually build a fast, secure, custom-tailored website.

From setting up WordPress as your content hub to choosing the right deployment strategy, you now have a clear roadmap to get started.

If you’re unsure where to begin or need expert help in crafting a seamless headless solution, don’t hesitate to reach out to professionals.

At Seahawk Media, our WordPress experts are ready to help you create a reliable, high-performing headless WordPress setup that aligns perfectly with your goals.

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