
How to Implement Ecommerce Cart Functionality
This article outlines the crucial aspects to consider for a successful ecommerce cart that satisfies both user needs and technical requirements.

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A headless ecommerce CMS (content management system) allows developers enough flexibility to create and manage content for their online stores without the need for a traditional, monolithic CMS.
In a headless CMS, the frontend and the backend are decoupled, meaning that the frontend (the user interface) and the backend (the content management and storage) are managed and developed independently.
This allows developers to use any technology they want for the frontend, such as React, Angular, or Vue.js, and to create a flexible and scalable ecommerce website.
This article explains the benefits of using headless CMS, lists some of the top headless CMS platforms, and explores combining headless CMS with ecommerce platforms.
What is Medusa? Medusa is a composable commerce engine that facilitates for developers to build ecommerce systems as components. Medusa provides a plugin system that allows developers to integrate third-party CMS services like the ones mentioned in this article within their ecommerce ecosystem.
A headless CMS is a type of CMS that separates the backend system that stores and manages the content from the frontend system that presents the content to the user.
Suggested Read: Headless Architecture Explained to a 5-Year-Old
In this architecture, the CMS functions as a content repository that can deliver content through APIs (application programming interfaces) to any number of frontend systems, such as web or mobile applications, smart speakers, or IoT (Internet of Things) devices.
Some benefits of using a headless CMS include:
Strapi is an open source, headless CMS designed to build and manage online stores. It is built on Node.js and offers a flexible and scalable way to create and manage content for Ecommerce websites.
With Strapi, developers can create custom content types and manage the data for their online stores using a powerful, user-friendly interface.
Suggested Read: Create an Ecommerce Storefront with Medusa, Strapi, and Remix
Strapi also includes features such as a robust plugin system, built-in security and user management, and integration with popular ecommerce platforms such as Shopify and Medusa.
It is a popular choice among developers looking for a headless CMS for their ecommerce projects.
Check out Strapi’s documentation to learn more about its features.
Contentful is a headless CMS that can be used for ecommerce websites. It allows developers to create, manage, and distribute content for their online stores using a flexible and scalable content model.
With Contentful, developers can create and manage their content using an intuitive web-based interface, and access that content using a powerful API. This allows them to create rich and engaging user experiences for their eCommerce websites, without being limited by the constraints of a traditional, monolithic CMS.
Suggested Read: How to Connect Medusa and Contentful
Contentful is a popular choice for headless ecommerce CMS because it is flexible, scalable, and easy to use. It also integrates seamlessly with a wide range of ecommerce platforms and tools, making it a versatile solution for building and managing online stores.
Learn more about Contentful and its features in its documentation.
Sanity is a headless CMS that can be used to build and manage ecommerce websites. It is a flexible and scalable platform that allows developers to create custom content structures and manage their online stores without the constraints of a traditional, monolithic CMS.
With Sanity, developers can use any technology they want for the frontend, such as React, Angular, or Vue.js. They can easily integrate their ecommerce website with other tools and services, such as payment gateways and inventory management systems.
Sanity also provides real-time collaboration features, so multiple team members can work on the website at the same time.
Learn more about Sanity and its features in its documentation.
DatoCMS is a headless content management system (CMS) that allows developers to create and manage content for their websites and applications. It is a popular choice for ecommerce websites because it provides a flexible and scalable way to build and manage online stores.
With DatoCMS, developers can create and manage the content for their ecommerce websites without the need for a traditional, monolithic CMS.
DatoCMS also provides a number of features and tools that are useful for ecommerce websites. This includes support for multiple languages, customizable content models, and integrations with popular ecommerce platforms like Medusa.
Check out DatoCMS’s documentation to learn more.
Payload CMS is an open source headless CMS and application framework. It provides tools and features for managing and accessing content through APIs, such as a Mongo database, REST and GraphQL APIs, authentication, access control, file storage, and an admin UI.
Headless CMS systems like Payload offer benefits like flexibility, separation of concerns, performance, and scalability. You can use Payload to develop and manage web applications, mobile apps, and other types of content-based applications.
Check out Payload’s documentation to learn more about it.
Headless CMS and headless commerce are both approaches to managing and delivering content and ecommerce functionality, respectively, through APIs instead of traditional user interfaces.
Combining a headless CMS platform with a headless commerce platform like Medusa leads to many benefits including:
Medusa has two plugins that you can use to integrate headless platforms:
A headless CMS is a content management system that allows you to manage and organize the content of your website without being tied to a specific frontend design. This allows for greater flexibility in the design and functionality of your website.
When combined with composable or headless ecommerce platforms like Medusa, you’ll get many benefits related to flexibility, rich content management which improves your SEO, and more.
Should you have any issues or questions related to Medusa, then feel free to reach out to the Medusa team via Discord.
This article outlines the crucial aspects to consider for a successful ecommerce cart that satisfies both user needs and technical requirements.