WP Engine has released its latest research report, The State of Headless 2024, revealing significant trends in the adoption of headless web architecture. The survey highlights the increasing shift towards headless solutions among industry leaders and outlines key benefits and challenges associated with this modern technology.

Overview of Headless Architecture Adoption:

• • Survey Details:
    • Conducted by Censuswide in July 2024 with 1,015 CTOs, CMOs, and IT decision-makers from organizations with an average annual revenue of approximately USD $800 million.
    • Includes responses from the U.S., UK, and Australia.
  • Adoption Statistics:
    • 73% of respondents are using headless architecture, a 14% increase from 2021 and nearly 40% from 2019.
    • Nearly 98% of non-users plan to evaluate headless solutions within the next 12 months.

• Key Findings:

  • Increasing Adoption and Removing Barriers:
    • 65% of respondents cited budget concerns as a barrier, but 83% see digital experiences as crucial to success.
    • 60% expect an increase in website infrastructure budgets in the next year.
    • 16% of respondents anticipate a 26%-35% impact on financials from headless implementation; another 16% expect an 11%-20% impact.
  • Future Readiness and Competitive Advantage:
    • 79% of headless adopters rate their ability to scale websites as good versus 62% of non-adopters.
    • 80% feel headless keeps them ahead of competitors; nearly 70% view competitiveness as the top benefit.
    • 70% see enhanced technology and innovation as primary advantages, with 26% highlighting omnichannel enablement.
    • AI integrations are a primary reason for headless use for over 20% of companies with 250-499 employees.
  • Role of CMOs vs. CTOs:
    • 63% of CMOs are heavily involved in headless technology adoption compared to 52% of CTOs.
    • 75% of CMOs use headless technology, and 81% believe it simplifies delivering a consistent content experience.
    • CMOs are 11% more likely to integrate various tools with headless technology but find it 18% more challenging to manage these tools and report results.
      
      

The State of Headless 2024 underscores the growing importance of headless web architecture in driving digital transformation. With widespread adoption and significant benefits for scalability, competitiveness, and innovation, headless technology is becoming a crucial element for organizations aiming to optimize their digital presence. WP Engine's research highlights the pivotal role of both CMOs and CTOs in leveraging this technology for enhanced web experiences.