Before the development of application programming interfaces (APIs) and headless web development for eCommerce products, the average content management system (cms) would follow what is referred to as Monolithic Architecture.
These Monolithic eCommerce systems are still used today and continue to have advantages compared to a Headless CMS.
From a business perspective, monolithic architecture is simple and easy as it gets, offering a single database to work with, general programming languages, and enterprise software partners that typically require hefty retainer fees to license the use of their products.
While these solutions can provide quick and easy access to deployment, there are eCommmerce risks and technical debt considerations to be made for following a monolithic deployment. These systems are typically difficult to update or scale due to their design which is where Microservices come in.
What are Microservices & Headless CMS APIs?
Considering monolithic systems as a single-point-of-failure, the value of Microservices is best expressed when using specialized, isolated technologies that can be swapped across partners or new providers with ease. This network of connected systems can provide dynamic updates with less overhead than traditional monolith systems, allowing for agile adaptation and eCommerce enhancements at scale.
Moving to a service-oriented architecture can have many benefits but migrations can be expensive. Take into consideration the cost of not being able to adapt your business fast enough to convert customers into sales and if the investment is a necessary pivot to save your eCommerce website.