Headless Commerce
Decoupled commerce with a Next.js storefront over Shopify or a commerce API, for maximum speed and multi-channel selling.
- 90+
- Target PageSpeed score
- Multi-channel
- One backend, many surfaces
- 10-20 wk
- Typical build
About headless commerce
Headless commerce separates the storefront from the commerce engine. The platform keeps handling products, inventory, and payments; the customer-facing experience is built independently.
What it buys you
Substantially faster pages, complete design freedom, and one commerce backend serving web, mobile app, kiosk, or marketplace. For high-traffic stores, the performance gain alone can justify it commercially.
What it costs
Complexity and ongoing maintenance. You now operate a front-end application alongside the commerce platform, theme editing no longer applies, and some platform features need rebuilding in the storefront. This is a genuine trade, and for many merchants a well-optimised standard theme is the better answer.
When it is warranted
High traffic where speed materially affects revenue, brands needing experiences a theme cannot express, and businesses selling across several channels from one catalogue. We advise against it when a tuned theme would achieve most of the benefit.
What the engagement includes
Next.js storefront
Server-rendered, statically optimised commerce front end.
Commerce API integration
Shopify Storefront API or equivalent as the backend.
Cart & checkout integration
Platform checkout retained for PCI scope and conversion.
Multi-channel delivery
One catalogue serving web, app, and other surfaces.
What you get
The measurable results this service is accountable for.
- Substantially faster storefront performance
- Complete freedom over the customer experience
- One backend serving multiple sales channels
- Independent front-end release cycle
- Content and commerce combined from separate systems
A process without surprises
Clear checkpoints at every stage, so you always know what is shipping and when.
- 1
Discovery & scoping
We map requirements, users, integrations, and constraints, then agree scope and a fixed quote before work starts.
- 2
Architecture & design
Technical architecture and user flows are agreed and prototyped before implementation begins.
- 3
Build & review
Development in reviewable increments, with a staging environment you can see and comment on throughout.
- 4
Launch & support
Performance and security checks, documented handover, deployment, and an agreed support window after go-live.
What is included at each tier
Engagements scale with your stage. Every tier includes everything below it.
| What's included | Starter | Growth | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture & API design | Included | Included | Included |
| Next.js storefront build | Included | Included | Included |
| Checkout integration | Not included | Included | Included |
| Content system integration | Not included | Included | Included |
| Multi-channel delivery | Not included | Not included | Included |
Sectors we work in
We recommend headless only where the performance or multi-channel gain clearly outweighs the added operational complexity.
Common questions
Is headless worth the complexity?
Do we still use the platform checkout?
More e-commerce development services
Ready to talk about headless commerce?
- No-obligation quote
- Reply within 1 business day
- You own every asset