Begin with the publishing workflow
WordPress can hold your content while a separate frontend presents it to visitors. That split is useful when an editorial team wants a familiar publishing environment and the public website needs a carefully tailored interface.
It also introduces two applications to maintain. Before choosing the approach, map who publishes content, who manages releases and who responds if the content connection becomes unavailable.
Decide what editors control
Agree which content belongs in the CMS: service introductions, article copy, project narratives and frequently asked questions are common candidates. Use structured fields where consistent presentation matters.
A headless website does not automatically make every visual layout editable. If editors need to build entirely new page arrangements, define a set of supported sections and a preview workflow. Make that requirement explicit before development begins.
Plan the boundaries
Document the CMS address, frontend address, image delivery and the route each enquiry takes. Agree how redirects, search metadata, draft previews and content refreshes work. A published edit should have a clear path to the public site.
Test missing images, unavailable content and long titles as well as the happy path. A thoughtful fallback can preserve the browsing experience while the team investigates a connection issue.
Choose the simplest fit
A conventional WordPress site can be the better choice for straightforward editorial needs. A separate React frontend becomes more compelling when the interaction design and application behaviour justify the extra responsibility. Start with the needs of your visitors and publishing team, then choose the architecture.