Content Management Systems are categorised into traditional and headless models.
A traditional CMS integrates the front-end and back-end, offering a full-stack solution for content creation and delivery. WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal are standard examples. These platforms are ideal for teams without significant technical expertise.
A headless CMS separates the content layer from the presentation layer. It exposes content through APIs, allowing developers to deliver it across websites, mobile apps, and other interfaces. Examples include Sanity, Payload CMS, Contentful and Strapi.
Traditional CMS platforms are generally more affordable for small to medium projects.
| CMS Type | Setup Cost (AUD) | Ongoing Cost (AUD) | Developer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional CMS | $100–$500 (DIY) | $10–$100/month | Low |
| $2,000–$6,000 (Pro) | |||
| $5,000–$10,000+ (eComm) | $20–$300/month (eComm) | Moderate | |
| Headless CMS | $3,000–$15,000+ | $40–$400/month | High |
| $10,000–$30,000+ (eComm) | $300–$1,200/month (eComm) | High |
Traditional CMS
DIY setup:
Professional:
For eCommerce, costs typically range between $5,000 and $10,000+ AUD, depending on features such as cart integrations, payment gateways, and inventory systems.
Headless CMS
Hosting:
Platform:
Development:
For eCommerce, headless implementations can range from $10,000 to $30,000+ AUD, particularly when integrating with services like Shopify Hydrogen, BigCommerce, Medusa or custom APIs.
Ongoing expenses are also higher with headless CMS due to separate infrastructure and technical maintenance requirements.
Headless CMS architectures offer better scalability and speed when implemented with static site generation and edge delivery.
| Metric | Traditional CMS | Headless CMS |
|---|---|---|
| Load Speed (TTFB) | Moderate | Fast (CDN-optimized) |
| Scalability | Limited by server | Scalable via APIs |
| Uptime during traffic spikes | Variable | High |
The result is faster page loads, reduced latency, and improved Lighthouse scores.
Headless CMS platforms offer greater flexibility for development teams.
Developers can use frameworks like React or Vue and implement custom rendering logic. This enables optimized performance, accessibility, and user experience. In contrast, traditional CMS platforms limit customisation to existing themes and plugins.
Modern CMS platforms support visual editing, reducing reliance on developers for layout and content deployment.
These tools simplify content workflows, enhance design control, and make headless CMS more accessible to marketing and content teams.
| Platform | Hosting | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Sanity | Cloud/Self | Real-time editing, structured content, GROQ query |
| Payload CMS | Self-hosted | Code-first schema, TypeScript support, MongoDB |
| Contentful | SaaS | Enterprise APIs, rich documentation, integrations |
| Strapi | Self-hosted | Open-source, plugin support, REST/GraphQL APIs |
Headless CMS
Traditional CMS
Headless CMS platforms enable performance, flexibility, and future readiness. Traditional CMS platforms offer simplicity, launch priority, and affordability.
Modern visual editors and page builder integrations on both models have reduced complexity barriers, making both options viable for a wide range of use cases.
The decision should align with team skills, project scope, and content delivery requirements.
