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Headless CMS: The content platform for composable experiences

Content management made intuitive for the entire team

CoreMedia’s headless CMS software is an API-first platform designed to power composable, omnichannel experiences at enterprise scale. It decouples your backend content repository from the frontend presentation layer, giving you full freedom to display content anywhere: websites, apps, digital signage.

As part of CoreMedia’s hybrid headless architecture, it combines the total flexibility developers demand with the intuitive and visual tools marketers and content editors rely on to create, preview and personalize content creation with confidence. It’s where developer freedom meets marketing agility.

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The hybrid headless CMS for marketers and developers

Unify your composable stack

CoreMedia acts as the intelligent core of your composable DXP, connecting effortlessly to your entire digital ecosystem.

With pre-built API integrations for leading commerce platforms, DAM systems, analytics and personalization tools, CoreMedia unites content, commerce and data in one governed, composable framework. The result is consistency, speed and creative freedom across every digital channel.

Built for enterprise governance and security

Enterprise teams operate on complexity and CoreMedia is built for it.

Advanced role-based access control (RBAC), multi-stage workflows, audit trails and localization capabilities make it simple to manage large, distributed teams. With enterprise grade security, scalability and hardened protection, you can safely run high-traffic campaigns and global experiences with full confidence.

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Visual editing for any channel

Pure headless systems often leave marketers in the dark. CoreMedia’s hybrid headless CMS changes that with true visual editor capabilities and in-context preview for any frontend.

Editors can see exactly how their content will look before it’s live, while developers maintain full control over structure and delivery. This collaborative workflow eliminates bottlenecks, shortens review cycles and accelerates publication processes.

A headless CMS solution that unites your entire team

  • Total flexibility: API-first design (REST & GraphQL) lets you build with any frontend framework — React, Vue, Next.js, Angular or others.
  • Faster development: Decoupled architecture enables parallel workstreams, letting frontend and backend teams innovate independently.
  • Clean & scalable: Built for microservices and composable integration, reducing technical debt while supporting rapid scaling.

  • Full creative control: Build and preview omnichannel experiences visually, without writing code.
  • Content reuse: Create modular content blocks and reuse them across sites, campaigns or channels for consistent brand storytelling.
  • Content workflow intelligence: Combine AI-assisted capabilities and third-party integrations to translate, adapt and optimize content creation within your workflow.

  • Future-proof your stack: Adapt to new technologies and channels without costly replatforming or vendor lock-in.
  • Lower TCO: Centralize content manager operations, streamline and manage content efficiently with one reusable content hub.
  • Global governance: Manage brand consistency and compliance across multiple regions through flexible roles, workflows and localization tools.

CoreMedia headless CMS features

Flexible content modeling

Define and structure any content type, relationship, or hierarchy to reflect your business model and simplify omnichannel reuse.

Omnichannel API (REST & GraphQL)

Deliver structured content to any platform, from landing pages and mobile apps to digital displays.

Advanced internationalization

Manage multilingual and localized variations from one unified interface, with automated translation and version control.

Integrated Digital Asset Management (DAM)

Organize, edit, and distribute images, videos and rich media from one central hub, ensuring every channel gets optimized assets.

Modular content & experience composition

Assemble experiences from reusable blocks that scale your creativity without increasing complexity.

Telekom website

Deutsche Telekom: Connecting content with millions of customers through a composable system

With CoreMedia's composable CMS, Deutsche Telekom manages content for millions of customers through one centralized content management system. Over 40,000 editors create and deliver localized content faster, supported by built-in asset management and intelligent tagging tools. 

The composable CMS foundation helps Deutsche Telekom accelerate its digital strategy, delivering relevant experiences that adapt to customer needs in real time. 

Result: Streamlined publishing at scale, faster time-to-market and personalized content delivery across all digital channels.

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Headless CMS vs. Traditional CMS, why switch?

Architecture

  • Headless CMS: Decoupled — the backend (content) is separate from the frontend (presentation), enabling multi-channel delivery.
  • Traditional CMS: Monolithic content management systems — content and presentation are tightly bound, limiting flexibility and scalability.

Flexibility

  • Headless CMS: Works with any frontend technology for web, apps, and emerging channels.
  • Traditional CMS: Locked into predefined templates or web-only frameworks.

Development

  • Headless CMS: Allows parallel workflows — frontend and backend teams can work independently and release faster.
  • Traditional CMS: Sequential and slower; frontend updates often require full system redeploys.
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Headless CMS explained (FAQs)

Curious how a headless CMS really works? Here’s everything you need to know before making the switch.

What is a headless CMS?

A headless content management system separates the back end (where content is created, stored, and managed) from the front end (the presentation layer the customer sees). Content is delivered to any channel via headless APIs. There’s no built-in front end, so developers get maximum freedom, while teams rely on APIs to power websites, apps, and devices.  CoreMedia offers the best of both worlds with our enterprise content management software.

What is a hybrid headless CMS?

Hybrid headless is CoreMedia’s unique approach that combines the flexibility of API-driven delivery with the usability of traditional CMS tools. It means developers build freely, marketers create visually, and both teams work faster without compromising governance or control. It’s the evolution of headless for the real world.

What is the difference between a headless CMS and a decoupled CMS?

CoreMedia defines four architecture types: Coupled, Decoupled, Headless and Hybrid Headless.

  • A headless CMS provides API-only content delivery.
  • A decoupled CMS separates backend and frontend but often includes fixed templates.

CoreMedia’s hybrid headless model merges both: it delivers pure headless flexibility with the usability of a traditional CMS, giving you freedom for developers and visibility for marketers.

What is the main benefit of a headless CMS platform?

The main benefit is omnichannel delivery. A headless CMS allows you to create content once and publish it across every touchpoint: websites, apps, digital signage and beyond. By separating content from presentation, CoreMedia enables consistency, flexibility and faster time-to-market while ensuring your teams manage all experiences from one platform.

Is a headless CMS only for developers?

Not with CoreMedia. Traditional headless systems are developer-focused, offering APIs without the visual tools marketers need. CoreMedia’s Hybrid Headless model bridges that gap. Developers enjoy full API freedom, while marketers and editors use visual, in-context editing tools to preview and manage experiences independently. It’s headless made usable for everyone.

How does a headless CMS improve website performance?

A headless CMS decouples content management from delivery, allowing developers to use modern, high-performance frontend frameworks optimized for speed and SEO. This structure also enables faster updates, continuous deployment and improved scalability. CoreMedia’s hybrid approach ensures your content loads quickly, performs reliably, and adapts easily to new channels.

What frontend frameworks does CoreMedia support?

CoreMedia is framework-agnostic. Whether your team uses React, Angular, Vue.js, Svelte, Next.js or custom technology, CoreMedia’s REST and GraphQL APIs integrate seamlessly. That means complete creative and technical freedom, without replatforming or vendor lock-in.

How do I migrate from a traditional CMS to CoreMedia?

CoreMedia offers expert migration support to help you modernize safely and efficiently. Migration typically begins with analyzing your existing content structure, creating a new content model for headless delivery, and setting up API integrations. From there, your teams can migrate content in phases, test new workflows, and scale confidently with ongoing guidance and training from CoreMedia’s specialists.

Can CoreMedia integrate with my existing tools and systems?

Yes. CoreMedia’s composable architecture and open APIs are designed to integrate seamlessly with your existing tech stack, from personalization and ecommerce platforms to marketing automation, PIM and DAM solutions. Whether you’re using Salesforce, SAP, Adobe or homegrown systems, CoreMedia connects everything into one unified content hub. This ensures you get the full power of your existing investments while modernizing at your own pace.

Our team of experts are your team of experts

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What you’ll get

  • Explore key features relevant to you
  • See how businesses like yours have grown with CoreMedia
  • Guidance on changing platforms like a pro
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Dynamic Content

Smart content management

Surprise and delight customers with iconic content everywhere, all the time.

  • Preview in-context before publishing
  • Unlock the power of your teams with workflow and scheduling
  • Keep it compliant with built-in DAM
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Personalized Experiences

Personalized experiences

Nurture customers with personalized experiences at every opportunity.

  • Omnichannel customer targeting
  • Link customer data platforms to leverage audience insight
  • Integrate artificial intelligence driven hyper-personalization
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Omnichannel content strategy for CoreMedia Touchpoints with AI personalization

Real-time conversations

Convert visitors into buyers with conversational experiences, contextual content and a human touch.

  • Guide customers through their buying journey using video shopping, chatbot, live chat and more 
  • Manage all calls and gain insights into interactions from web to contact center
  • Prioritize contacts and let high-value users talk to real people, to maximize ROI
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Guided Selling

Inspirational commerce

Grow your business by connecting the buying journey and converting sales.

  • Built-in connectors for Salesforce, SAP, HCL, Elastic Path, Spryker and more
  • Integrate live product feeds at a global scale
  • Turn rich media into one click shoppable content 
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Elevate your digital experiences.

Choosing a DXP is a big decision, and we’re here to help. Whether you're looking for a new CMS or want to enhance your website with engagement tools to boost conversions, we'll consult you to realize your digital ambitions.

 

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