Headless CMS platforms provide the freedom to choose preferred front-end technology and enable the reuse of data across multiple channels such as websites, mobile apps, AR/VR, and smart devices, allowing organizations to maximize the value of their content.
As businesses strive to connect with their potential users through various channels, the rapid growth of headless content management systems shows no signs of slowing down.
This article explores the concept of headless CMS and highlights the key features of one of the best headless CMS called Storyblok. It also offers insight into the benefits and functionalities of Storyblok.
What is a Headless CMS?
We are all familiar with content management systems (CMSs); a popular example is WordPress.
From individuals to large enterprises, they provide an inclusive ecosystem to store, manage and distribute content(or data) effortlessly. At the same time, they serve as powerful tools for publishing articles, blogs, and product descriptions for content creators.
Headless CMSs also serve the same purpose but with a subtle distinction that makes them more flexible when compared to their traditional counterparts.
They do not feature a front-end layer — or head. This is why they are referred to as “headless.” Instead, they only include a content repository for storing and updating back-end data and an API for managing content while allowing developers to pick their preferred technology for the front-end layer.
What is Storyblok?
Storyblok is a popular enterprise-level, feature-rich headless CMS with an open-source front-end SDK and a range of data management tools, including a graphical user interface and a digital asset manager. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of Storyblok, let’s delve into its key features and benefits.
An Overview of Storyblok’s Features & Capabilities
1. API-first CMS
APIs act as an intermediate, allowing two systems to communicate without exposing sensitive information. Most importantly, they empower organizations to adopt a best-of-breed approach to their project development.
Storyblok is the best example of API-first CMS. The CMS has a robust API infrastructure, such as the Content Delivery API v2 for delivering content, Management API for data management, and a GraphQL API for automated documentation to guide developers in utilizing the API effectively.
2. Flexible
As a headless CMS, it provides unmatched flexibility in delivering content, allowing for the implementation of various front-end frameworks and technologies, including React, Vue, Angular, Svelte, Backbone, jQuery, Ember, and Vanilla JavaScript.
3. Visual Editor
It comes up with a graphical user interface to manage and edit content through visual tools, including drag-and-drop features, enabling non-technical team members such as marketers, editors, content developers, and designers to make updates without requiring the assistance of a technical person.
4. Collaboration Tools
The platform understands the significance of having such a tool. It includes an in-built collaboration suite, allowing team members easily exchange information and project managers to review version history and perform many other collaborative tasks, all without any third-party tool.
5. Live Preview
Live preview enables you to gain a firsthand experience of the content and ensure that it meets the required standards and performs as intended for the target audience. Also, previewing allows you to assess the functionality and appearance of your work before it is officially published.
6. Central Content Hub
The central content hub, a repository for all types of content and digital assets, offers a wide range of features for smooth content management as the following:
- Search: Quickly and easily search the content you need using keywords and filters.
- Tagging: Organize your content with tags and retrieve it easily whenever needed.
- Versioning: Create different versions of the content for the experiment without affecting the live version.
- Permission controls: Enable or restrict access to content based on user permissions, ensuring that only authorized members can view or modify sensitive information.
7. Composable Component
Composability refers to the ability to break down components into smaller, reusable elements, allowing you to use them across multiple pages. Storybook allows you to create composable components — from simple to complex — and use them whenever needed across various pages.
An example of composability can be a website’s homepage, which encompasses components such as the header, homepage images, call to action, buttons, and more. By creating a call-to-action component, you can effortlessly utilize it across various pages, eliminating the need to recreate it for each page. This promotes efficiency and consistency in your development process.
What are the advantages of Using Storyblok CMS?
1. Greater flexibility and customization
It is a modular CMS (which means it is made of individual modules instead of a monolithic structure), allowing users to add, remove and modify the features. Usually, marketers lean toward the platform that provides them with a customization option, allowing them to remove unnecessary features.
Besides, Modular CMSs are more cost-effective than monolithic ones, as they can be easily scaled up as your business grows.
2. Cloud Native
It is a cloud-native platform providing a scalable, stable, and flexible infrastructure for developing and deploying applications in the cloud. This approach eliminates the need for setting up on-premises infrastructure. Instead, marketers can host applications on the cloud. Additionally, a cloud-based approach can be an excellent option when it comes to deploying and marketing your solution promptly.
3. Detailed documentation and support
Storyblok offers in-depth and well-written documentation for every topic, helping developers learn how to use features and implement services. Each feature is accompanied by a detailed guide, enabling you to understand the intended purpose of the feature.
Also, you can get direct assistance from the Storyblok team and fellow users in forums and social channels or attend events to acquire practical experience. With numerous ways available to receive assistance when you are stuck.
How to Get Started with Storyblok
Here is a brief guide on how to get started with Storyblok:
1. Create an account on Storyblok
2. Choose a plan: It offers a range of plans tailored for businesses of all sizes, including a forever free account for developers, freelancers, and small businesses, This option is suitable if you have limited usage, and it includes the following features:
- Up to 10 user seats
- Management API
- Visual Editor
- Data sources
- Custom Field Types
- Internationalization
- Unlimited Languages
- Unlimited Locales
- Asset Manager
- Image Optimizing Service
- Search Query
- Webhook
- 250GB Traffic/month included
3. Create a space: A space is where you can manage your project; once you log in, you will be prompted to create a space to create projects and assign and collaborate with team members on specific tasks. Upon setting up your space, you can jump into the visual editor and start the process of creating content.
4. Start creating content. Depending on your role, you may have access to different dashboard variations: owner dashboard, admin dashboard, and editor dashboard. Each dashboard variant provides a wealth of tools to effectively manage, analyze, and create content.
5. Deliver your content: You need to use APIs to deliver content. For more detailed information, you can refer to Storyblok’s documentation and blogs and seek assistance from the community for further support.
Conclusion
We hope you now understand how Storybook works and its features.
If you are still uncertain about the ideal CMS that suits your requirements, whether you’re planning to transition an existing project or embark on a new one with a headless approach, we are here to provide guidance and assist you in selecting the best headless CMS for your upcoming project.
Additionally, if you are already familiar with headless content systems and seeking to hire developers, you can hire a Storyblok expert for your project. If you have any inquiries or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
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