Webflow sees itself as the website platform that allows you to design and build like a coder – without using code. It is a hosted website platform with all the options you could want. While that seems incredible, the tradeoff is a pretty steep learning curve.
Who is it for?
Webflow is for designers and people with experience working with databases who want to build websites without code and without plugins. It is for the people who are tired of WordPress but want similar functionality and flexibility.
Who is it not for?
People who want a simple or basic website platform. I don't recommend this platform for beginners or anyone not tech-savvy. If you are not familiar with advanced website design, and even if you are, you can expect a pretty steep learning curve.
I don't recommend it for e-commerce or blogging, even though both are possible on the platform. Products, blog posts, and other "custom post" types are called collections, which function similarly to databases. Collections are very flexible, but you have to know what you are doing to make the SEO and other features work.
Also, Webflow is a hosted website solution, so if you want to host your own site, you might want to choose another platform.
Finally, custom security certificates are only available on enterprise-level plans. While Webflow provides all websites with security certificates, you might want a different platform if you want to bring your own security certificate.
Features
Webflow offers all the customized design features, maybe the most of any platforms in the quiz, including WordPress. Built as a no-code, no-plugin website platform to compete with WordPress for options, Webflow claims to be simpler and safer.
With hosting, backups, and restore points, you have safety and security without the hassle. Without plugins, you have reduced your vulnerability to hacking.
Webflow websites are fast, secure, and built to be scalable. The lowest plans offer websites with informational pages. The higher plans offer collections of dynamic data that you customize as blog posts, products, and just about any other custom post type you can think of.
Add in SEO features, and you have a platform to suit you if you like lots of options.
Plans and costs
Webflow plans are as flexible as the platform. They offer plans for individuals and plans for agencies. For individuals, their "site plans" are divided into regular websites and e-commerce plans. These plans range from $12 to $212, depending on the plan and whether you pay monthly or annually.
The non-e-commerce plans vary based on:
- Whether or not you need a content management system or file uploads
- How many site visits and form submissions you need per month
- Maximum bandwidth
- API requests
- Collection items
- The number of content editors you need
The e-commerce plans differ with the number of items you can have in your store, your yearly sales volume, the number of staff accounts, and transaction fees.
Positives
ALL the design flexibility. And a database-structured way of handling website objects or collections such as blog posts, products, or other types of custom posts.
Also, no plugins on the platform means no plugin conflicts or security issues because of plugins that are not updated. No coding means no updates that break the code.
The Webflow creators set out to create a safer, more manageable platform, and some people love it.
Watch out for
However, with all the flexibility, there is a lot of learning. This platform is for tech-savvy people who don't want to code or don't want to deal with WordPress or other self-hosted environments anymore.
Summary
Webflow removes hosting, plugins, and coding so that building and maintaining your website is easier and safer. However, the sheer number of options and the way custom posts are handled add complexity to the platform. It is not a beginner's platform in any way. But, if you are tech-savvy, up for the learning curve, and into all the options, Webflow might be your platform.
Here’s the link to the Webflow platform, if you’d like to explore it.
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