CMS for Single-Page Applications (SPAs)
IntermediateQuick Answer
TL;DR
Single-page applications (SPAs) built with React, Vue, or Angular need a headless CMS that delivers content via API rather than rendering HTML server-side. The CMS acts as a content backend: editors manage content in a structured interface, and the SPA fetches it via REST or GraphQL at runtime. Top choices include Sanity, Contentful, Prismic, and Storyblok.
Key Takeaways
- SPAs fetch content at runtime via JavaScript, so they need a CMS with a fast, reliable API — not server-rendered HTML
- A headless CMS decouples content management from the front-end framework, letting teams work independently
- Consider how the CMS handles SEO for SPAs — some offer server-side rendering helpers or Next.js/Nuxt integrations
- Real-time content updates and live preview are important for editorial teams working alongside SPA developers
- GraphQL and GROQ APIs reduce over-fetching, which is especially important for SPAs that manage their own loading states