Critics of the content-first approach often argue that it's outdated or too narrow in focus. However, this perspective misses the mark. Content-first doesn't mean content-only. It's about ensuring that the core of your digital presence – the content – is compelling, relevant, and valuable. This approach doesn't ignore the customer experience; rather, it enriches it.

As the lines between user experience and content continue to blur, a pressing question emerges: how do we navigate the intersection of these two approaches to create digital experiences that not only attract but also resonate deeply with our audience? 

Join us as we explore this intricate dance between content and experience, unravelling the nuances and synergies that can transform the way we connect with our digital audience.

A Look at Content-First vs Experience First Approach

While these approaches have distinct starting points – content creation for the former and user experience design for the latter – they are not mutually exclusive. 

In practice, the most effective digital marketing strategies often find a way to integrate elements of both. Quality content is essential for a great user experience, and a well-designed experience enhances the impact of good content. The integration of these approaches leads to a more holistic and effective digital marketing strategy.

Before we go deeper into the reasons why experience-first isn’t “better” than content-first, let’s see them side by side so you understand why we say you should treat them as allies rather than competitors. 

Aspect	Content-First Approach	Experience-First Approach
Focus	Prioritizes creating and distributing high-quality content, with an emphasis on content creation, management, and optimization.	Focuses on the overall customer experience, including content presentation, context, and interaction across various touchpoints and channels.
Methodology	Relies heavily on a Digital Experience Platform (DXP) and is often tailored to specific channels or platforms but can also integrate other platforms.	Integrates various technologies (CMS, CDP, DXP, AI tools) for a holistic view, aiming to create a cohesive and engaging customer journey across all channels.
End Goals	Aims to inform, educate, or entertain the audience, leading to engagement, conversions, and customer loyalty.	Seeks to create a memorable, engaging, and personalized customer journey, focusing on customer satisfaction and interaction to build brand loyalty and increase conversion rates.
Relationship	Essential for a great customer experience; good content is a key component of engaging customer journeys.	Enhances the impact of good content; a seamless experience can elevate the effectiveness of the content delivered.
Evolutionary Path	Often the starting point for businesses, focusing on content quality and relevance.	Seen as an expansion of the content-first approach, broadening the scope to include comprehensive customer experiences.

Is Content-First Outdated? 

While the content-first approach has faced its share of criticism, much of it stems from misunderstandings about what this strategy truly entails. 

Far from being outdated, a content-first strategy remains a vital component of successful digital marketing, as evidenced by the enduring success of content-centric platforms and the overall growth of the digital experience platform market.

But don’t take our word for it; let's address these criticisms and shed light on the enduring relevance and adaptability of a content-first approach.

Content-First Does Not Mean Ignoring Customer Experience

A common misconception is that prioritizing content inherently means neglecting the customer experience. This couldn't be further from the truth. In reality, content is a crucial component of the customer experience. 

Actually, quality content enhances the customer journey by providing valuable information, entertainment, and engagement at every touchpoint. Well-crafted content can guide users through a website or app, improving usability and overall experience. At the same time, engaging content creates an emotional connection with the audience, which is a key aspect of a positive user experience.

Content Strategy is Inherently Adaptable to Various Channels

Critics often argue that a content-first approach is too rigid or limited to specific channels such as web and mobile. However, a well-developed content strategy is inherently flexible and can be adapted to suit various platforms and mediums.

Besides, content can be repurposed and reformatted to fit different channels, from web to digital signage to smart devices, ensuring a consistent brand message across all platforms. Also, with the rise of human-centric design, content strategies now routinely include responsive design, ensuring that content is accessible and engaging across all devices.

Content is Timeless

While a solid user experience is key for any type of digital experience, content is the bedrock upon which successful digital strategies –and digital experiences– are built, serving as a critical driver of engagement, visibility, and brand authority. 

Engagement is the currency of the digital world, and quality content is the mint. When content resonates with an audience, it does more than just convey information; it creates a connection. 

This connection is fostered through relevance and value – whether it's solving a problem, providing insights, or offering entertainment. Engaging content captures attention in a crowded digital space and keeps the audience coming back for more.

Plus, in the quest for online visibility, content is your most reliable ally. Search engines favor content that is informative, well-written, and aligned with user intent. High-quality content improves search engine rankings, making it easier for potential customers to discover your brand.

Content-First as a Foundation for Experience-First

Providing solid, human-centric user experiences should be your ultimate goal. However, what often gets overlooked is the role of content in shaping and enhancing this experience. A robust content strategy doesn't just complement the customer experience; it serves as its foundation.

Content punctuates every stage of the customer journey, from awareness to consideration to decision. Engaging content acts as a guide, educating and informing the customer or user, while also providing enjoyment and connection.

User experience without substantive content is like a journey without a destination. Content provides the substance that makes the experience meaningful. It's the difference between a website that's merely a collection of pages and one that tells a story, engages the audience, and builds a relationship.

Content communicates the brand's voice, values, and personality. Without it, the brand's identity becomes unclear, and the emotional connection with the audience is lost.

The Role of Composability In Content-First and Experience-First

The modular nature of composable architecture allows for rapid iteration and deployment of content and designs. This agility is crucial in an experience-first approach, where the focus is on continuously optimizing the user journey for engagement and satisfaction.

Similarly, composability allows for a seamless blend of content and experience. By using a modular approach, businesses can ensure that their content strategy is effectively integrated into the overall user experience, creating a cohesive and engaging journey for the user.

Why You Can’t Go Experience-First Only?

The rebuttal to the argument that a content-first approach compromises speed and agility and that an experience-first approach is necessary for efficient and effective omnichannel marketing could focus on several key points:

You’d Be Missing Out On Opportunities

Modern software architecture and headless tooling demonstrate that the dichotomy between content-first and experience-first approaches is becoming increasingly blurred. Modern composable platforms enable a synergy between content and experience, allowing marketers to deliver content that is not only high in quality but also integrated seamlessly into the user experience.

By leveraging composability, businesses can ensure that their content strategy (content-first) complements and enhances the overall customer journey (experience-first), leading to a more holistic and effective digital marketing strategy.

Content-First Does Not Exclude Efficiency

In a content-first approach, marketers create structured content that is easily adaptable and repurposable across various channels and platforms. This structured approach means that content can be quickly modified or reformatted for different mediums,

Quality Content is The Cornerstone of User Experience

In an experience-first strategy, every aspect of the user interaction is designed to create a memorable and positive experience. But it's the content that often initiates and sustains the user's engagement with the brand, making it an indispensable part of the overall experience. 

Quality content is at the heart of every memorable customer experience. It's the substance that engages, informs, and entertains users, making their interaction with a brand more meaningful. Even the most aesthetically pleasing and intuitively designed user interface cannot compensate for lackluster content.

Accessibility Starts With Content

While the experience-first approach focuses on the overall customer journey, the accessibility and organization of content are what make this journey informative and engaging. Well-organized content ensures users have a seamless experience, finding the information they need without frustration or confusion.

In an experience-first strategy, personalizing the user experience based on individual preferences and behaviours is key. Having easily accessible and well-organized content allows for more effective personalization, as it's easier to deliver the right content to the right user at the right time.

Content Bridges The Gap Between Developers and Marketers

In the content-first approach, content is not just information but a part of the overall experience. The way content is presented, accessed, and interacts with the user is as important as the content itself. Collaborative workflows and technology ensure that content enhances, rather than detracts from, the user experience.

The technical aspect of how content is delivered and experienced (such as load times, navigation, and interactivity) is crucial in both the content and experience-first approaches. Leveraging technology to ensure content is delivered smoothly and efficiently contributes significantly to a positive user experience.

Closing Thoughts

Adopting a composable architecture offers significant flexibility and integration capabilities. This architectural approach enhances the content-first strategy by enabling seamless content management and distribution across various platforms, ensuring high-quality content reaches the audience effectively.

While the experience-first approach prioritizes the overall user journey, it is the content-first approach that provides the substance and depth to these experiences. The synergy between these approaches, facilitated by composable architecture, ensures that engaging content is at the heart of every user interaction, enriching the overall experience.

In this integrated framework, content is not static but a dynamic and adaptable element. The content-first approach, supported by the flexibility of composable architecture, allows for content to be quickly updated and repurposed, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness in engaging users across various touchpoints.