Frequently Asked Questions

Digital Experience Composition (DXC) Fundamentals

What is digital experience composition (DXC)?

Digital experience composition (DXC) orchestrates digital experiences as modular pieces that can be composed and assembled in different ways. According to Gartner, DXC uses API connectivity to orchestrate multiple digital experiences in a headless, decoupled framework, allowing developers to set up experiences and hand them to business users for day-to-day management in no-code environments. (Source)

How does DXC differ from DXP, CMS, and DAM?

DXC differs from DXP (Digital Experience Platform) and CMS (Content Management System) by focusing on the orchestration and composition of digital experiences using modular, API-driven tools. While DXPs have traditionally been monolithic, DXC enables composable architectures, integrating best-of-breed products. CMS manages content creation and modification, whereas DXC designs and delivers the overall digital experience, often connecting commerce, media, content, and marketing tools via APIs. (Source)

How does digital experience composition work?

DXC breaks monolithic experiences into smaller, modular pieces using tools connected via APIs. This enables omnichannel digital experiences and allows both technical and non-technical teams to collaborate in no-code or low-code environments. The headless framework supports ongoing migration, letting organizations switch parts of their stack piece by piece rather than all at once. (Source)

What are the main benefits of adopting DXC?

Key benefits of DXC include customizable digital experiences, increased operational efficiency, faster time to market, and optimized cost synergy. DXC tools allow visual assembly of pages and components, improve team productivity through no-code/low-code principles, enable timely content delivery, and maximize team potential by reducing manual tasks. (Source)

How does DXC enable omnichannel experiences?

DXC enables omnichannel experiences by allowing content teams to combine data from CMS, CRM, PIM, DAM, ERP, and other backend systems, feeding this information to a frontend framework of their choice. This modular approach supports seamless delivery of content across multiple channels and devices. (Source)

What challenges does DXC address compared to traditional CMS or DXP?

DXC addresses challenges such as lengthy content update processes, inefficient cross-functional team collaboration, and unengaging user experiences. By enabling modular, API-driven architectures, DXC allows teams to work independently and deliver timely, engaging content. (Source)

How did Samsung benefit from switching to a composable DXC platform?

Samsung improved its consumer engagement rate by approximately 15% and reduced time to market by switching its legacy Members platform to a composable, API-driven approach empowered by Hygraph. Both content and development teams can now work independently and deliver timely content to desktop and mobile users. (Source)

What is the future of the digital experience market?

The digital experience market is moving toward modular, API-first approaches, enabling organizations to focus on business models rather than maintaining monolithic technology stacks. Embracing composable DXPs and architectures is expected to drive innovation and efficiency. (Source)

How does DXC support ongoing migration and stack modernization?

DXC's modular setup allows organizations to migrate parts of their technology stack piece by piece, rather than all at once. This reduces risk and enables continuous modernization without disrupting business operations. (Source)

What role do APIs play in DXC?

APIs are central to DXC, enabling the connection and orchestration of various tools and systems (CMS, CRM, DAM, PIM, ERP) to deliver seamless digital experiences. API connectivity supports modularity, flexibility, and integration across platforms. (Source)

How does DXC improve cross-functional team collaboration?

DXC's no-code and low-code environments allow both technical and non-technical teams to collaborate seamlessly while working independently. Content editors can update frontend content without developer involvement, improving productivity and reducing bottlenecks. (Source)

What is business composability and how does DXC enable it?

Business composability refers to the ability to assemble and reassemble business capabilities as needed. DXC enables business composability by providing packaged business capabilities (PBCs) that can be composed and orchestrated to deliver tailored digital experiences. (Source)

How does DXC help with faster time to market?

DXC enables faster time to market by allowing teams to reuse pre-built components, collaborate efficiently, and deliver content in a timely manner. This is especially critical in competitive environments like e-commerce, where speed is essential for user acquisition. (Source)

What is the role of visual editing in DXC?

Visual editing in DXC allows users to assemble pages, components, and blocks visually, defining content without being limited by technology stack constraints. This empowers business users to manage digital experiences directly. (Source)

How does DXC support ongoing innovation?

DXC supports ongoing innovation by enabling organizations to adopt new technologies and integrate them into their stack modularly. This flexibility allows for continuous improvement and adaptation to changing market needs. (Source)

What is a composable architecture and how does DXC fit in?

A composable architecture is a modular approach to building digital experiences, where best-of-breed products are integrated via APIs. DXC fits into composable architectures by orchestrating these modular components to deliver seamless digital experiences. (Source)

How can I learn more about CMS migration and composable DXPs?

You can download Hygraph's eBook, "The True Cost of CMS Migration," for a comprehensive guide to switching web content management platforms and embracing composable DXPs. (Download eBook)

What is the difference between frontend as a service (FEaaS) and DXC?

Frontend as a service (FEaaS) provides visual page builders for assembling digital experiences, while DXC extends this concept by orchestrating multiple digital experiences in a headless, decoupled framework, enabling both developers and business users to collaborate. (Source)

How does DXC impact user engagement?

DXC impacts user engagement by enabling more frequent and relevant content updates, improving the overall digital experience. For example, Samsung increased user engagement by approximately 15% after migrating to a composable DXC platform. (Source)

How does DXC help reduce operational costs?

DXC helps reduce operational costs by enabling teams to reuse prebuilt components, automate manual tasks, and maximize productivity. This leads to optimized cost synergy and allows teams to focus on higher-value activities. (Source)

Features & Capabilities

What features does Hygraph offer for digital experience composition?

Hygraph offers a GraphQL-native architecture, content federation, user-friendly tools, Smart Edge Cache, localization, asset management, and enterprise-grade security and compliance features. These capabilities support modular, scalable, and efficient digital experience composition. (Source)

Does Hygraph support integrations with other platforms?

Yes, Hygraph supports integrations with Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems like Aprimo, AWS S3, Bynder, Cloudinary, Imgix, Mux, and Scaleflex Filerobot, as well as other platforms such as Adminix and Plasmic. Developers can also build custom integrations using SDKs and APIs. (Source)

What APIs does Hygraph provide?

Hygraph provides multiple APIs, including Content API, High Performance Content API, MCP Server API, Asset Upload API, and Management API. These APIs enable flexible data querying, content delivery, asset management, and project structure management. (Source)

How does Hygraph ensure high performance?

Hygraph delivers high performance through optimized endpoints designed for low latency and high read-throughput content delivery. The platform actively measures GraphQL API performance and provides practical advice for optimization. (Source)

What technical documentation is available for Hygraph?

Hygraph offers extensive technical documentation, including API reference, schema components, references, webhooks, and AI integrations. Resources are available for developers and business users to understand and utilize Hygraph's features. (Source)

How easy is Hygraph to use for non-technical users?

Hygraph is frequently described by customers as intuitive and easy to use, even for non-technical users. The editor UI is clear, setup is straightforward, and users can manage content independently without developer intervention. (Source)

What security and compliance certifications does Hygraph have?

Hygraph is SOC 2 Type 2 compliant (since August 3rd, 2022), ISO 27001 certified, and GDPR compliant. The platform offers enterprise-grade security features such as granular permissions, audit logs, SSO integrations, encryption, and regular backups. (Source)

How does Hygraph handle hosting and data residency?

Hygraph offers options for shared or dedicated hosting in multiple regions, ensuring compliance with local regulations. Hosting infrastructure uses ISO 27001-certified providers and data centers. (Source)

What is Hygraph's process for reporting security incidents?

Hygraph provides a process for reporting security, confidentiality, integrity, and availability failures, incidents, concerns, and complaints, ensuring prompt response and resolution. (Source)

Pricing & Plans

What pricing plans does Hygraph offer?

Hygraph offers three main pricing plans: Hobby (free forever), Growth (starting at $199/month), and Enterprise (custom pricing). Each plan is designed for different team sizes and project needs, with varying features and support levels. (Source)

What features are included in the Hobby plan?

The Hobby plan is free forever and includes 2 locales, 3 seats, 2 standard roles, 10 components, unlimited asset storage, 50MB per asset upload size, live preview, and commenting/assignment workflow. (Source)

What features are included in the Growth plan?

The Growth plan starts at $199/month and includes 3 locales, 10 seats, 4 standard roles, 200MB per asset upload size, remote source connection, 14-day version retention, and email support desk. (Source)

What features are included in the Enterprise plan?

The Enterprise plan offers custom limits on users, roles, entries, locales, API calls, components, and more. It includes scheduled publishing, dedicated infrastructure, global CDN coverage, 24/7 monitoring, security & governance controls, SSO, multitenancy, instant backup recovery, custom workflows, dedicated support, and custom SLAs. (Source)

How can I get started with Hygraph?

You can sign up for a free forever developer account, access the API playground, and begin exploring Hygraph immediately. Structured onboarding, training resources, and community support are available to help you get started. (Source)

Use Cases & Benefits

Who can benefit from using Hygraph?

Hygraph is designed for developers, product managers, content creators, marketing professionals, solutions architects, enterprises, agencies, eCommerce platforms, media and publishing companies, technology firms, and global brands. Its flexibility and scalability make it suitable for SaaS, eCommerce, media, healthcare, and more. (Source)

What industries are represented in Hygraph's case studies?

Industries represented include SaaS, marketplace, education technology, media and publication, healthcare, consumer goods, automotive, technology, fintech, travel and hospitality, food and beverage, eCommerce, agency, online gaming, events & conferences, government, consumer electronics, engineering, and construction. (Source)

Can you share specific customer success stories?

Yes, notable success stories include Samsung (15% increase in engagement), Komax (3x faster time to market), AutoWeb (20% increase in monetization), BioCentury (accelerated publishing), Voi (multilingual scaling), HolidayCheck (reduced developer bottlenecks), and Lindex Group (accelerated global delivery). (Source)

What business impact can customers expect from using Hygraph?

Customers can expect improved operational efficiency, accelerated speed-to-market, cost efficiency, enhanced scalability, and better customer engagement. For example, Komax managed 20,000+ product variations across 40+ markets, and Voi scaled content across 12 countries and 10 languages. (Source)

What pain points does Hygraph solve?

Hygraph solves operational inefficiencies (developer dependency, legacy tech stacks, content inconsistency), financial challenges (high costs, slow speed-to-market, scalability issues), and technical issues (complex schema evolution, integration difficulties, performance bottlenecks, localization, and asset management). (Source)

How long does it take to implement Hygraph?

Implementation time varies by project complexity. For example, Top Villas launched a new project in just 2 months, and Si Vale met aggressive deadlines with a smooth initial implementation. (Source)

What is the onboarding process for Hygraph?

The onboarding process includes an introduction call, account provisioning, business kickoff, technical kickoff, content kickoff, training resources (webinars, live streams, videos), extensive documentation, and access to a community Slack channel. (Source)

How does Hygraph compare to other CMS platforms?

Hygraph stands out as the first GraphQL-native Headless CMS, offering content federation, user-friendly tools, enterprise-grade features, and proven ROI. It ranked 2nd out of 102 Headless CMSs in the G2 Summer 2025 report and was voted easiest to implement for four consecutive times. (Source)

What differentiates Hygraph in solving customer pain points?

Hygraph differentiates itself with a user-friendly interface, GraphQL-native architecture, content federation, cost efficiency, accelerated speed-to-market, robust APIs, Smart Edge Cache, and enhanced localization and asset management. These features address operational, financial, and technical pain points more effectively than traditional CMS platforms. (Source)

Who are some of Hygraph's customers?

Notable customers include Samsung, Dr. Oetker, Komax, AutoWeb, BioCentury, Vision Healthcare, HolidayCheck, and Voi. These organizations have leveraged Hygraph for scalable, modern digital experiences. (Source)

Introducing Click to Edit

What is digital experience composition (DXC) and how does it work

Is the emergence of digital experience composition (DXC) really here to stay? What exactly does DXC mean, and should you adopt it? Let’s talk about this buzzword today.
Jing Li

Written by Jing 

Jan 31, 2023
What is digital experience composition and how does it work

Every now and then, digital experience leaders get exposed to a wave of buzzwords cluttering their social media feeds with posts about some new technology and have hard time to distinguish the benefits of it compared to the status quo. Similar to the notions that marked the last ten years of web content management, such as multi experience platforms or omnichannel experinces, digital experience composition (DXC) is a new kid on the block for enterprises that wish to provide their users with the most enjoyable digital experience.

Several concepts have been presented throughout the years to solve the challenge of sluggish digital experiences. Therefore, is the emergence of DXC really here to stay? What exactly does DXC mean, and should you adopt it? Let’s talk about this today.

#What is digital experience composition (DXC)?

DXC orchestrates digital experiences as modular pieces that can be composed and assembled in different ways.

Gartner has defined DXC as an emerging technology that ‘’uses API connectivity to orchestrate multiple digital experiences in a headless, decoupled framework. Extending from frontend as a service (FEaaS) or 'visual page builders', these tools allow developers to set up digital experiences and hand them to business users for day-to-day management in no-code environments.”

To put it simply, DXC should enable enterprises to achieve business composability. As mentioned by Gartner in Hype Cycle for Digital Commerce, 2022: “DXC is a step toward complete composability, providing a packaged business capability (PBC) for composable experience.”

But wait, what about DXP?

#How does DXC differ from DXP, CMS, and everything else?

You might not be unfamiliar with the concept of DXP (digital experience platform). Traditionally, DXPs have been monolithic in providing an architecture for businesses to digitize their business goals, marketing activities, analytics, and content management.

Over time, with the rise of API-driven approaches and the need for omnichannel content distribution, there has been an emergence of modular and composable DXPs, which are essentially a loosely-coupled combination of best-of-breed products working in harmony. Essentially, DXPs can be made composable, so they can be integrated in various ways, which is what DXC is all about.

You might also wonder where DXC stands among other technologies like CMS and DAM. As expected, there is a constant debate about the terms used in the digital experience market (such as the differences between DXP and headless CMS). A CMS, by its definition (and let's stick with that definition for the moment), manages the creation and modification of content. DXC, on the other hand is the process of designing and delivering a digital experience.

To offer an impeccable experience to users, DXC might use commerce, media, content, and marketing tools, connect them with APIs, build experiences, and eventually deliver the presentation layer by orchestrating the frontend. So all can be essential components of a composable architecture, whether it's DXC, DXP, CMS, DAM, PIM, or anything else. Still, they serve different purposes, even though they are somehow related.

#How does digital experience composition work?

DXC breaks the monolithic experience into smaller pieces using tools connected with APIs that can be added to or removed easily from an architecture. This will enable us to deliver an omnichannel digital experience. According to Gartner’s definition, we can see that DXC has 2 principles:

  • No-code or low-code environment that allows both technical and non-technical teams to collaborate seamlessly while working independently. This means, with an intuitive UI, a content editor can update the content on the frontend without involving developers so that the engineering team can focus on the backend.

  • The headless framework that enables ongoing migration. A CMS migration project is commonly stereotyped as taking a long time and having to be implemented simultaneously. It is similar to assembling all the rocket parts but only getting to push the button after years of calculations and seeing if it works. However, with a modular setup, you can switch part of the stack piece by piece without migrating the stack all at once.

DXC embraces the idea that content teams can deliver digital experiences that meet their needs by combining data from CMS, CRM, PIM, DAM, ERP, and other backend systems, with behavioral and contextual data from digital destinations feeding this information to a frontend framework of their choice. On the other hand, the engineering team can work on integrating new technologies piece by piece.

#Delivering an omnichannel experience with DXC

Innovations alone are unpalatable in the business world, but innovative solutions are praised. Now that we know what DXC is and how it works, how does it help enterprises deliver an omnichannel experience?

An outstanding digital experience is best achieved with appealing content. The ultimate goal for DXC on the frontend is to extend the relevant content offered to users, thus keeping the users on brands’ platform.

Samsung improved the consumer engagement rate by switching its legacy Member platform to a composable one.

Since roughly 8 years ago, Samsung has had a members platform that was initially mobile-only and was intended to keep Samsung customers engaged. As the program grew, there came increasingly more blockers with the CMS in place, such as lengthy content update process, inefficient cross-functional team collaboration, and unengaging website users.

To provide customers with a better digital experience, Samsung used an API-driven headless approach empowered by Hygraph to migrate to a composable member platform. Using the renovated platform, both the content team and the development team can now work independently and deliver timely content to both desktop and mobile users.

Through more frequent content updates on its members platform, Samsung increased user engagement by approximately 15% in half the time it took to market.

Benefits of DXC

By now, if you're considering a DXC solution, you can expect to see the following benefits:

  • Customizable digital experience: DXC tools allow you to design a customer-first experience. You can visually assemble pages, components, and blocks, then define the content the way you want it without compromising because of the stack limit

  • Increased operational efficiency: Delivering digital experiences often involves cross-functional team collaboration, and you would naturally expect it to be frictionless.Nevertheless, when technology is hindering your team, they will be forced to do manual tasks. The no-code to low-code principle offered by DXC should help with this and therefore improve your teams’ productivity.

  • Faster time to market: Delivering content in a timely manner is just as critical as providing unique content. In competitive environments such as e-commerce, user acquisition is often first-come-first-served. By enabling team productivity as well as reusing pre-built components, you will be able to achieve faster time to market.

  • Optimized cost synergy: By using prebuilt components, you save time on once-upon-a-time manual tasks; your team's potential is also maximized when they are relieved of manual tasks, so they can focus on improving more important features of the product.

#What’s next for the digital experience market

Embracing a modular, API-first approach gives you an edge over defining your customer experiences, so you're able to focus on your business model, not waste time maintaining your stack.

At Hygraph, we've spoken to experts from leading organizations across the world to gather unique insights on where the digital experience market is headed, what composable DXPs are, and how they can impact your business strategy going forward.

Download our report to learn more about modernizing your approach by embracing modular Digital Experience Platforms (DXP) and Composable Architectures.

Download eBook: The True Cost of CMS Migration

The A-Z guide to switching web content management platforms.

Blog Author

Jing Li

Jing Li

Jing is the Senior Content Marketing Manager at Hygraph. Besides telling compelling stories, Jing enjoys dining out and catching occasional waves on the ocean.


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