We recently undertook our first headless project using Sitecore Headless 10.2 and Next.js SDK with SSR. This shift in our tech stack brought significant changes to our development processes.
Previously, Sitecore MVC development relied heavily on C#, .NET, and the Sitecore SDK and APIs. Now, with Sitecore Headless Services, most of the implementation has moved to the consumer, namely our Next.js application. The front-end had to display data from various sources, including layout and components from Sitecore, as well as marketing and business data from other API sources.
To overcome dependencies and unblock front-end development, we adopted an approach that emphasized front-end independence. Leveraging Sitecore JSS SDK's "disconnected" mode, frontend developers worked with YAML mock files representing page data. OpenAPI documentation allowed us to easily mock 3rd party APIs using Next.js, enabling us to switch between mocked and live data. API contracts were crucial in resolving development dependencies and synchronizing workflows between teams, facilitating the testing of full user stories.
While transitioning to the new tech stack, we faced technical challenges as Sitecore developers. Understanding Sitecore Headless Services and Next.js SDK was crucial. Sitecore's robust client library support for Headless made it easier to grasp and utilize. Frontend developers needed to learn about essential Sitecore concepts such as page structure, layouts, placeholders, renderings, and various field types. This foundational knowledge allowed them to create page mock-ups that could be reviewed and adjusted by the Sitecore team. Additionally, selecting the right rendering method and hosting solution on the frontend presented further challenges.
Ultimately, embracing a headless approach and leveraging JavaScript on the client side streamlined our development process, with clearer roles for different teams and faster iteration compared to deploying .NET assemblies for each change.
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