A Content Management System (CMS) is used to create, edit and publish content for websites and other digital channels. Typical content includes pages, blog posts, landing pages, images and menus. Well-known examples include WordPress, TYPO3 and Drupal, as well as headless CMS platforms such as Contentful and Storyblok.
A CMS primarily manages semi-structured content: body text, images and page layouts. A PIM manages structured product data with defined attributes, variants and categories. The two complement each other. On an online shop’s product page, technical specifications and product images typically come from the PIM, while buying guides, campaign banners and the page structure come from the CMS.
Problems arise when product data is also maintained in the CMS. This creates two versions, and changes in the PIM do not reach the website. A better approach is to connect the CMS to the PIM via an interface or plugin.
A headless CMS delivers content exclusively via an API, leaving presentation to the frontend. Combined with a PIM that also delivers data via APIs, this creates a flexible architecture for multiple channels, from online shops to apps.
See also: ECM · Cross-Media Publishing · Channels · Headless Commerce and PIM · PIM for E-Commerce
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