Nidhi Paneri | Blogs

When building modern digital experiences with Sitecore XM Cloud, selecting the right API for our use case can mean the difference between a lightning-fast application and a sluggish one. In this guide, we’ll dive into the two core API types—Delivering API and Authoring API—and explore when, why, and how to use each effectively. Sitecore XM Cloud: API-First and Headless API-First → Every interaction like content authoring, delivery, publishing is exposed via APIs (GraphQL, REST). Headless → The CMS manages content, but the presentation layer (websites, mobile apps, kiosks, etc.) is decoupled, allowing developers to use frameworks like React, Angular, Next.js, or Vue. The Two Main API Categories 1. Delivering APIs Delivering APIs are designed for content consumption. They’re fast, globally cached, and read-only, perfect for frontend apps and customer-facing experiences. Key Characteristics Fast, read-only APIs for content delivery Glob...

Building headless experiences with Sitecore XM Cloud often means integrating content with multiple systems like external APIs, CRMs, DAMs, ERPs, AI services, or custom apps. Instead of coupling everything directly, we can use Azure Functions as middleware. Here are 10 real-world Azure Function recipes for Sitecore XM Cloud integrations. 1. XM Cloud GraphQL Data Sync Purpose : Synchronize external system data (API, ERP, CRM) into XM Cloud content items. Trigger Point: Timer (e.g., daily sync at 2 AM) HTTP trigger (manual sync from UI) Working : Function queries external system API Transforms data by mapping API fields to XM Cloud fields Calls XM Cloud Authoring API mutation to create/update items 2. Content Personalization Enrichment Purpose : Auto-classify and tag XM Cloud content using AI. Trigger Point : Timer or XM Cloud Webhook (on item creation/update). Working: Function receives webhook and gets item content via GraphQL Delivery AP...

The Sitecore JSS SDK has been a staple for building modern headless websites with XM Cloud and Sitecore XP. It offers deep integration with the Sitecore Layout Service, letting frontend developers render content directly based on Sitecore-managed components. Now, with the introduction of the Sitecore Content SDK, teams have a lightweight, REST-first way to fetch clean JSON data, leaving rendering entirely to the frontend. For projects focused on performance, composable architectures, or custom rendering logic, the Content SDK can be a compelling choice. If you’re considering a switch from JSS SDK to Content SDK, this guide walks you through how to migrate, best practices, and the pitfalls to avoid. Why Migrate to Content SDK? Lightweight: No dependency on Layout Service rendering. Faster payloads: Returns only the requested fields, reducing over-fetching. Flexible rendering: Total control of frontend presentation. Better for static generation: Idea...