Commerce Layer is API-first from the ground up: the transactional commerce engine, with products, prices, inventory, orders, and checkout, is already decoupled from the frontend and accessed via the Commerce Layer API (REST, JSON:API). Here, headless means you build the frontend, everything your customers see, freely on top of the API, without being tied to a predefined storefront stack and with full performance control.

Commerce Layer continues to manage products, price lists, inventory, markets, orders, taxes, and checkout. You use the Commerce Layer Dashboard and the familiar business tools unchanged, with all your established workflows and integrations.

You have four options: adopt a Commerce Layer starter, Drop-in.js on an existing CMS, a custom build (Next.js or Nuxt), or a Frontend Management Platform like Laioutr. Each option has its pros and cons.

No duplicated data, no sync conflicts. Laioutr talks directly to the Commerce Layer API (REST, JSON:API), including support for multi-market, multi-currency, and customer groups.

Commerce Layer is a pure commerce API and ships a starter kit, a drop-in library, and SDKs as building blocks, but not a finished frontend product that non-developers can operate. That puts the frontend question on the table for every Commerce Layer project. Four options are established in the market.

The open-source starter kit provided by Commerce Layer, typically Next.js-based. An ideal starting point for learning and for proofs of concept, but as a production storefront you develop the design system, components, and page logic yourself. A good fit for small shops or as a transitional solution.

Commerce Layer's drop-in library adds cart, prices, and checkout to existing pages or a CMS via HTML tags. Fast for targeted commerce features, but the approach hits its limits when it comes to a full-fledged, consistent storefront experience. A good fit if you're adding commerce to an existing content site.

Maximum control, highest effort. A six- to twelve-month build phase and permanent maintenance by an in-house React or Vue team that orchestrates the Commerce Layer API and the SDK itself. A good fit when frontend engineering is your strategic core competency.

A Frontend Management Platform with a visual builder, 70+ components, EU hosting, and multi-backend support. Fastest time-to-launch, lowest learning curve, backend optionality for the future. It makes sense if you want to go live fast, without a custom-build investment.

Laioutr is built for Commerce Layer setups that need to change fast and scale globally. From a multi-market storefront for brand portfolios to a B2B configurator frontend with complex price lists.

Multiple Commerce Layer markets (brands, countries, sales channels) on a single instance with standalone frontends, their own domains, and their own brand identity. One pool of components, many brand experiences.

Commerce Layer delivers customer groups, market-specific price lists, and B2B workflows. Laioutr calls the API directly and renders customer-group-specific prices, assortments, and approval processes.

Industrial goods, customization workflows, B2B specifications. Complex state-management logic is solved at the Laioutr component level, while API calls stay cleanly separated.

One Commerce Layer instance, many markets. Languages, currencies, layouts, and price lists can be controlled per market, compatible with the Commerce Layer markets concept.

An existing Commerce Layer frontend needs an overhaul without touching the backend configuration. Migration in phases, with a clear rollback plan.

A new Commerce Layer project, a fresh start. With Laioutr themes and the UI library, you go live in weeks instead of investing months in a custom build.