Headless Commerce with Salesforce Commerce PWA Kit
Headless Commerce with Salesforce Commerce PWA Kit
Supercharge the UX, performance, and customizability of your Salesforce Commerce Cloud store by going headless and building a progressive web app. With some global eCommerce PWA projects under our belt, Onilab is an expert in SFCC PWA services.
What is SFCC Headless Architecture?
Headless commerce architecture is definitely an upward trend, especially in eCommerce. It's been on the rise for the last several years: companies are increasingly rebuilding their web products to headless ones, and all major eCommerce platforms (including SFCC) support it and offer their headless dev tools and APIs. Let's refresh what headless, PWA, and other related terms mean.
- Headless Commerce Architecture
The headless approach implies decoupling a website's frontend and backend and linking them via APIs. It offers many perks, from faster loading speeds to vast possibilities in frontend development. Headless means the freedom to choose any frontend framework or theme to enhance customer experiences while continuing to use the robust backend functionality of the current eCommerce platform.
- Progressive Web App (PWA)
PWAs are the most popular headless solutions as they deliver digital experiences comparable to those of native mobile apps but on the web and for a more affordable price. An extremely flexible architecture and newer tech stack allow developers to make store interfaces truly mobile-friendly and faster. PWAs are still websites that preserve their search engine rankings while behaving like apps and being accessible from the smartphone home screen.
- Composable Commerce
Composable commerce is an advanced version of headless commerce as it also allows for picking the best tools, technologies, and modules for creating eCommerce products perfectly tailored to customers' needs and business objectives. With composable commerce, developers aren't limited to what, say, Salesforce Commerce Cloud (Demandware) offers them. SFCC supports a Composable commerce approach: its Composable Storefront is compatible with other commerce tools of one's choice.
- Composable Storefront
Composable Storefront is a solution by Salesforce to facilitate the creation of headless frontends. In a convenient, agile, and composable environment, dev teams can build state-of-the-art interfaces for flawless customer experience. It consists of a React-based PWA Kit (a framework for creating storefronts) and Managed Runtime (cloud infrastructure to deploy and host a PWA).
Headless commerce architecture is definitely an upward trend, especially in eCommerce. It's been on the rise for the last several years: companies are increasingly rebuilding their web products to headless ones, and all major eCommerce platforms (including SFCC) support it and offer their headless dev tools and APIs. Let's refresh what headless, PWA, and other related terms mean.
Headless Commerce Architecture
The headless approach implies decoupling a website's frontend and backend and linking them via APIs. It offers many perks, from faster loading speeds to vast possibilities in frontend development. Headless means the freedom to choose any frontend framework or theme to enhance customer experiences while continuing to use the robust backend functionality of the current eCommerce platform.
Progressive Web App (PWA)
PWAs are the most popular headless solutions as they deliver digital experiences comparable to those of native mobile apps but on the web and for a more affordable price. An extremely flexible architecture and newer tech stack allow developers to make store interfaces truly mobile-friendly and faster. PWAs are still websites that preserve their search engine rankings while behaving like apps and being accessible from the smartphone home screen.
Composable Commerce
Composable commerce is an advanced version of headless commerce as it also allows for picking the best tools, technologies, and modules for creating eCommerce products perfectly tailored to customers' needs and business objectives. With composable commerce, developers aren't limited to what, say, Salesforce Commerce Cloud (Demandware) offers them. SFCC supports a Composable commerce approach: its Composable Storefront is compatible with other commerce tools of one's choice.
Composable Storefront
Composable Storefront is a solution by Salesforce to facilitate the creation of headless frontends. In a convenient, agile, and composable environment, dev teams can build state-of-the-art interfaces for flawless customer experience. It consists of a React-based PWA Kit (a framework for creating storefronts) and Managed Runtime (cloud infrastructure to deploy and host a PWA).
Headless Architecture on Salesforce Commerce Cloud: for Whom?
Headless eCommerce architecture helps level up store UX, increase revenue, and facilitate further development. For some businesses, it may be too big of an undertaking, whereas, for others, it's a very timely move. Let's see when going headless is the most cost-effective decision.
You want a mobile app without building one
All online retailers strive to design better mobile shopping experiences simply because they receive the most visits from smartphones. But, it's not obligatory to create iOS and Android apps to jump on the bandwagon. Higher-converting app-like UX is possible with a progressive web app.
You pursue the omnichannel strategy
The more touchpoints a business covers, the more chances it'll be well-liked and profitable. However, omnichannel is not just about having a site, an app, social media, and an in-store kiosk. It's about creating consistent and seamless user experiences across these channels. Headless/composable commerce is fully geared for this task.
You need more development flexibility
Headless and especially composable architectures are what constantly evolving businesses need to expedite creating/customizing interfaces, developing new features, launching in new markets, etc. With frontend development separated from backend development and a wide range of modern dev tools available, time to market considerably decreases.
Onilab as Your Headless Salesforce Implementation Partner
For the last five-six years, we've been advocates for adopting headless commerce architecture, particularly when it comes to middle-sized and large eCommerce projects. Why? Because we know from experience how colossal the difference between classic monolithic architecture and the headless one is in every major development and design aspect.
With legacy web architecture, many tasks are almost unachievable, like building omnichannel experiences with several channels (frontends, "heads") connected through APIs to the common backend. By embracing headless, we helped our clients go beyond standard eCommerce solutions, elevate the UX, and, eventually, raise both mobile and desktop conversions.
Headless Salesforce Commerce Cloud Services
Adopting headless/composable commerce on your SFCC eCommerce platform is no mean feat. You'll need seasoned pros familiar with all things Salesforce and eCommerce dev.
- Headless SFCC ConsultingOur consultants help make a weighted final decision on whether to make your Salesforce Commerce Cloud (Demandware) store headless, given your particular case. We evaluate your business needs, the timeframe for changes, the size of the investment, ROI, and other KPIs. We also strategize on better headless solutions and development approaches for your project.
- Headless SFCC Development & DesignOur SFCC headless services include all the steps to either create a custom headless Salesforce store from scratch or rebuild an existing one. Following the client's requirements, we choose the frontend technology stack (React, Vue.js, Salesforce PWA Kit, or something else), configure and integrate APIs, and then design and develop engaging custom storefronts.
- Headless SFCC MigrationWith us, you can re-platform to Salesforce Commerce Cloud from another eCommerce architecture (Magento, Shopify, etc.) and go headless simultaneously. Or change the backend of your existing PWA or headless store to the headless Salesforce one. Pretty much any combination is possible with all customizations preserved/recreated and no downtime in the process.
- PWA Kit Salesforce ServicesPWA Salesforce Commerce Cloud services are what we're really good at! We reckon each and every mid- to large-sized store will benefit from switching to a headless PWA, and we have proven that to many clients. Among other tools for custom PWA frontends, we work with Salesforce Composable Storefront services: SFCC PWA Kit, a native Salesforce framework, plus Managed Runtime.
- SFCC IntegrationWhatever service you want to link to your headless commerce store or whatever functionality you need to enrich the store with, we'll help to do it seamlessly. Our software engineers will prompt the most suitable options, set up the API connections, configure data exchange, and test the system to ensure it works smoothly.
Adopting headless/composable commerce on your SFCC eCommerce platform is no mean feat. You'll need seasoned pros familiar with all things Salesforce and eCommerce dev.
Headless SFCC Consulting
Our consultants help make a weighted final decision on whether to make your Salesforce Commerce Cloud (Demandware) store headless, given your particular case. We evaluate your business needs, the timeframe for changes, the size of the investment, ROI, and other KPIs. We also strategize on better headless solutions and development approaches for your project.
View MoreHeadless SFCC Development & Design
Our SFCC headless services include all the steps to either create a custom headless Salesforce store from scratch or rebuild an existing one. Following the client's requirements, we choose the frontend technology stack (React, Vue.js, Salesforce PWA Kit, or something else), configure and integrate APIs, and then design and develop engaging custom storefronts.
Headless SFCC Migration
With us, you can re-platform to Salesforce Commerce Cloud from another eCommerce architecture (Magento, Shopify, etc.) and go headless simultaneously. Or change the backend of your existing PWA or headless store to the headless Salesforce one. Pretty much any combination is possible with all customizations preserved/recreated and no downtime in the process.
PWA Kit Salesforce Services
PWA Salesforce Commerce Cloud services are what we're really good at! We reckon each and every mid- to large-sized store will benefit from switching to a headless PWA, and we have proven that to many clients. Among other tools for custom PWA frontends, we work with Salesforce Composable Storefront services: SFCC PWA Kit, a native Salesforce framework, plus Managed Runtime.
SFCC Integration
Whatever service you want to link to your headless commerce store or whatever functionality you need to enrich the store with, we'll help to do it seamlessly. Our software engineers will prompt the most suitable options, set up the API connections, configure data exchange, and test the system to ensure it works smoothly.
What to Expect from Headless SFCC Architecture?
By embracing headless architecture, Salesforce Commerce Cloud stores obtain many benefits, improving customer experience, business processes, and, of course, the brand's profitability. We've listed the major gains below.
Custom Storefronts
Headless commerce architecture and modern frontend frameworks (React.js, PWA Kit, and others) streamline building unique interfaces for desktops, mobiles, and IoT devices like smart mirrors and kiosks.
Better UX
Headless commerce stores are highly customizable and, hence, adaptable to shoppers' needs, significantly boosting the overall customer experience regardless of used devices.
App-like Experiences
Based on headless commerce architecture and PWA Kit, PWAs have the look and feel of native apps: access from the home screen, mobile-friendly design, high loading speed, smooth page transitions, push notifications, etc.
Omnichannel Platform
Headless commerce allows online retailers to develop and deliver seamless omnichannel experiences with multiple well-coordinated storefronts for different devices.
Optimized Performance
Thanks to the advanced API-based architecture and technology stack utilized, headless commerce stores (especially progressive web apps) load faster than conventional monolithic ones.
Development Flexibility
Composable and headless commerce allow software engineers to use and combine pretty much any frontend tools, deeply customize themes, and integrate third-party systems more easily.
Faster Releases
Being able to make frontend changes without the backend ones greatly accelerates developing and deploying new features.
Limitless Creativity
With little to no development restrictions, eCommerce brands can create more efficient user flows and UX/UI designs, which in turn result in more engaging and converting interfaces.
Why Choose Us to Build a Headless Commerce Store?
Going headless is a challenging task on any platform, including Salesforce Commerce Cloud (Demandware). So, you need a reliable partner with corresponding expertise. Partner with the Onilab team, and here's why.
We don't:
- Position as an eCommerce agency without an actual specialism in the field;
- Pretend headless gurus without knowledge, skills, and case studies;
- Work with unambitious people or freelancers having many side projects;
- Blindly follow dev and UX/UI trends when working on the project.
We do:
- Have 10+ years of experience, specifically in eCommerce dev;
- Have an impressive portfolio of headless commerce and PWA projects;
- Have certified Salesforce pros and whole in-house design and dev teams;
- Have a sales-oriented and data-informed approach to deliver efficient solutions.
We're fans of headless commerce and progressive web apps, and we'll unlock their full potential for your store.
Testimonials
Our Headless Commerce Portfolio
We've been working with renowned eCommerce brands from Australia, France, Finland, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, and other countries to create beautiful and successful PWA projects. See some examples in our portfolio.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud & Headless Approach on the Blog
Read more about headless development, PWA design, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, and other related topics on the Onilab blog.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud, Headless, PWA Kit, & More: the FAQ
Is Salesforce Commerce Cloud Headless?
Yes, Salesforce Commerce Cloud (Demandware) supports the headless approach with the decoupled frontend and backend communicating through APIs. It's the right eCommerce architecture for brands seeking to design a better UX on multiple devices, gain more agility when creating new features, and expedite their development.
Why Go Headless With Salesforce Commerce Cloud?
Go for headless to make your Salesforce Commerce Cloud store more effective at converting visitors into customers (particularly on mobile). With this architecture, developers can build more user-friendly and personalized shopping experiences tailored to the brand concept and do so faster.
What Is a Composable Storefront in Salesforce?
It's one of the products in the Salesforce Cloud ecosystem for headless frontend development. It contains PWA Kit (a dev toolkit), Managed Runtime (a hosting solution) and supports utilizing third-party eCommerce technologies to achieve better storefront performance and UX.
What Is PWA Kit in Salesforce?
The PWA Kit is a Salesforce Commerce Cloud framework for developing progressive web apps. PWAs deliver fast, smooth, and mobile-friendly native app-like UX while remaining websites. The PWA Kit contains a Retail React App (a customizable storefront), rendering and routing systems, integration with APIs, and other components facilitating PWA building.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Headless Commerce with SFCC?
As any other architecture, headless has both advantages and drawbacks. Among the benefits are flexibility in choosing the tech stack, increased frontend customizability, and improved storefront performances. For shortcomings, we'd name architecture complexity and higher initial development costs than for monolithic online stores.
How to Make a Headless PWA with Salesforce Commerce Cloud?
Switching a regular Salesforce Commerce Cloud (Demandware) store to a headless one involves several stages and a professional dev and design team. Together with a client, we decide on the number of frontends to plug in, the storefront capabilities to have, and the framework and tools to use. Then, designers study the audience and create prototypes, and developers write the frontend and API code.