Should you use Sanity to build your website?
Hive has now used Sanity.io, a headless CMS, to help build three websites and we’ve been very impressed with the results. Our confidence in Sanity is strong enough that we’ve decided to use it to redesign our own website.
So far we’ve had a great experience using Sanity, but does this mean you should use Sanity too?
Well, that depends on a whole lot of things which we will be covering in this blog.
What is a headless CMS?
In a traditional CMS, such as WordPress, the frontend and the backend are tightly integrated together, meaning the presentation of content is mostly controlled by the CMS itself. Metaphorically, a traditional CMS has its head (the frontend) firmly connected to its body (the backend).
On the other hand, a headless CMS only provides a backend (the body) where the content is stored. The frontend (the head) is not provided — hence the name headless CMS.
Using a headless CMS, content is retrieved from the backend using an API and is presented on devices using your preferred frontend technology.
Why use a headless CMS?
Here are three of the key benefits to using a headless CMS:
- It allows developers to use any frontend technology independently of the backend.
- It allows non-technical staff to manage, update and edit content easily using a user-friendly interface optimised for their specific needs.
- It better prepares content for re-use in the future. It’s easier to present content across multiple devices and platforms (like smartwatches, tablets, and IoT devices) as the content is simply consumed from an API.
Using a headless CMS enables us to deliver websites that are scalable, flexible, and easily maintained without the need for developer skills. This helps to save our clients time so they can focus on what they do best — helping people.
How we started using Sanity
The first phase of Weston Park Cancer Charity’s website redesign began in November 2021.
Our team conducted workshops to understand the needs of WPCC’s users and stakeholders, and based on this information, we conducted extensive research to find the best platform to build the website with. After evaluating a number of options, we selected Sanity.
We found that Sanity met most of our criteria, particularly for creating dynamic pages and customization. Furthermore, we found it had a very generous free tier for non-profits which is an essential factor to take into account when creating a website for a charity.
Before we get into more detail on what headless CMS to use, it’s really important to carefully consider what your needs and requirements are. You may find you don’t even need a headless CMS…
Do you need a headless CMS?
A headless CMS can provide you with extra flexibility and set you up well for the future. For example, a few years after creating your website, you may want a mobile app or an IoT device to present your content. A headless CMS allows you to create new frontends to deliver your content across new devices, all without making changes to your backend.
Going headless can also be a good move if you anticipate your site growing a lot in the future. A headless CMS can usually be scaled more easily to meet higher traffic as they don’t need to handle the rendering of content. Many headless CMSes are also deployed in managed platforms, meaning you don’t even need to do the scaling yourself.
However, if you plan to create a more simple website, or are happy with the site you already have, building a headless CMS may not be worth spending the time or money on. Website builders such as Wix, WordPress or Squarespace can be easily deployed and maintained without developer skills, potentially making them better alternatives.
Overall, whether you choose to use a headless CMS or not really depends on your skills, time available, budget and requirements.
Is Sanity the best Headless CMS?
As mentioned earlier, Sanity has become our preferred headless CMS due to its friendly user interface and generous non-profit pricing.
However, there are many headless CMSes to choose from and some may suit your needs better. We analysed a wide range of headless CMS platforms and below are a few that made our final shortlist.
Sanity is currently our favourite headless CMS. But technology is always changing and it’s very possible that a new or existing competitor could come along to steal its title as our number one choice. It will be interesting to see how the headless CMS market develops in the coming years.
Conclusion
So far, working with headless CMSes has worked really well for Hive IT and our clients.
Headless CMSes provide us with greater flexibility when choosing the frontend stack. Our clients don’t have to worry about managing the backend or dealing with plug-ins, meanwhile the content editors can get on with producing content, without worrying about how it will be presented on different platforms.
If you’re struggling to decide which headless CMS to use, we definitely think Sanity is a very strong offering that you should consider. However, there are many options available and your decision should be based on your project’s specific requirements.
We’re always keen to explore our user’s needs first before settling upon a solution and you can get in touch with us if you’d like more advice on which CMS would best suit your project!
