Webflow is a platform that lets you create beautiful websites without any coding required. You can also export your Webflow site as code, meaning you have complete control over your site and can host it wherever you want.
So, is making a website with Webflow worth it? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of using this platform.
What Is a Webflow?
It’s a website builder that lets you create custom websites without coding. It’s a visually-based platform, which means you can drag and drop elements to create the look you want.
If you’re not a coder and want to create a website from scratch, or if you’re a designer who wants more control over the code of your website, then Webflow is a great option.
You can use Webflow to create:
- Simple websites
- Complex websites
- E-commerce stores
- Blogs
- Landing pages
How Does Webflow Work?
Webflow works by letting you create a website in your browser. You can export your site as code or host it on Webflow’s servers.
If you want to host your site on Webflow, you can do so for free. However, you’ll be limited to 500 MB of storage and 3 GB of bandwidth. If you need more than that, you’ll have to pay $12/month for the next tier up, which gives you 2 GB of storage and 10 GB of bandwidth.
Is Webflow Shop Free?
No, Webflow Shop is not free. It starts at $29/month and gives unlimited products, orders, and customers.
How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a Webflow Website?
If you want to use Webflow to create a simple website, it will cost you $12/month. If you need more, you can upgrade to one of Webflow’s higher tier plans, which start at $36/month. This gives you access to all of Webflow’s features, including hosting, e-commerce, and custom code.
Now that we’ve answered the question “what is Webflow,” it’s time to take a look at the pros and cons of using this platform.
11 Pros of Using Webflow
01. No Coding Required
One of the most significant advantages of using Webflow is that you don’t need to know how to code to create a website. The platform is visually based, so you can drag and drop elements to create the look you want.
Suppose you want to add a button to your website. With Webflow, you can drag and drop a button element from the sidebar onto your canvas. Then, you can customize the button’s color, size, and text.
02. Export Your Site as Code
Another advantage of using Webflow is exporting your site as code. This means you have complete control over your site and can host it wherever you want.
Even if you don’t know how to code, you can still use Webflow to create a website. But if you do know how to code, you can take advantage of Webflow’s export feature to get clean, well-organized code for your site.
03. Enjoy Greater Design Freedom
With Webflow, you have complete control over the design of your website. Since you’re not limited by pre-designed templates, you can create a unique website that reflects your brand.
Whether you want to create a simple one-page or complex multi-page site, Webflow gives you the freedom to design it exactly the way you want.
04. Enjoy Greater Design Freedom
With Webflow, you have complete control over the design of your website. Since you’re not limited by pre-designed templates, you can create a unique website that reflects your brand.
Whether you want to create a simple one-page or complex multi-page site, Webflow gives you the freedom to design it exactly the way you want.
05. Webflow Sites are Responsive
Another advantage of using Webflow is that your site will be automatically responsive. This means it will look great on all devices, from desktop computers to mobile phones.
From a design standpoint, responsive websites are essential. Google also favors responsive websites, so you’ll be more likely to rank higher in search results if your site is responsive.
06. Get Started Quickly with Webflow Templates
If you don’t want to start from scratch, you can use one of Webflow’s templates to get started. These templates are fully customizable so that you can add your images, text, and branding.
Webflow’s templates are a great starting point if you’re unsure how to design your site. And even if you are sure of what you want, the templates can save you a lot of time.
07. Take Advantage of Webflow’s E-commerce Features
If you want to sell products online, Webflow is a great option. The platform offers powerful e-commerce features, including selling physical and digital products, managing inventory, processing payments, and more.
Webflow’s e-commerce features are robust and easy to use. And since the platform is visually based, you can design your online store exactly how you want it.
08. Webflow Hosting is Fast and Reliable
Since Webflow offers hosting as part of its platform, you don’t need to worry about finding a separate hosting provider. And Webflow’s hosting is fast and reliable, so you can be confident that your site will always be up and running.
Most importantly, Webflow’s hosting is scalable. As your site grows, you can easily upgrade to a higher-tier plan to get more storage and bandwidth.
09. Get Help from the Webflow Community
If you ever need help with Webflow, you can turn to the Webflow community. There are forums where you can ask questions and get answers from other Webflow users.
You can also find helpful resources, such as tutorials and templates, on the Webflow community site.
10. Stay Up to Date with Webflow News
If you want to stay up to date on all things Webflow, you can sign up for the company’s newsletter. Webflow News is a monthly newsletter covering everything from new features to tips and tricks.
You can also follow Webflow on social media, such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
11. Try Webflow for Free
Suppose you’re unsure if Webflow suits you. You can try it for free. With the free plan, you can create a website with up to two pages.
You’ll also have access to Webflow’s basic features, including its visual editor, templates, and e-commerce features.
If you upgrade to a paid plan, you’ll get access to more advanced features, such as custom code, password protection, and video hosting.
Webflow is an excellent platform for creating websites. And with its free plan, you can try it out without risk.
5 Cons of Using Webflow
Although Webflow has many advantages, there are also some disadvantages to using this platform. Here are the top five:
01. The Learning Curve
Webflow is a complex platform with a lot of features. This can be both good and bad. On the one hand, it allows you to create very sophisticated websites. On the other hand, it can be overwhelming, especially for beginners.
If you’re new to Webflow, learning how to use all of the features will take some time. And even if you’re not a beginner, you may still spend a lot of time figuring out how to do things.
02. Limited Support
Although Webflow has a community site where you can find helpful resources, the platform doesn’t offer much in the way of customer support.
If you ever run into problems with Webflow, you’ll likely have to rely on the community site or trial and error to figure things out. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re not a tech-savvy person.
03. No Free Plan
Although Webflow offers a free trial, there is no free plan. If you want to use Webflow, you’ll have to sign up for one of the paid plans.
The good news is that the paid plans are very reasonably priced. But if you’re on a tight budget, you may be unable to afford it.
04. Limited Templates
Webflow has a limited selection of templates, especially compared to other platform options. If you want to use a specific template or design, you may not be able to find it on Webflow.
05. Not Ideal for Blogging
Although you can use Webflow to create a blog, it’s not the ideal platform for this purpose. If you want to create a professional blog, you may be better off using another platform, such as WordPress.
Webflow is an excellent platform for creating websites. But it has some disadvantages, such as a learning curve and limited templates. Before you use Webflow, weigh the pros and cons to see if it’s right for you.
What Type of Business Is Webflow Good For?
Webflow is an excellent platform for businesses of all types and sizes. Whether a solopreneur or a large corporation, you can create a professional website with Webflow.
Here are some examples of businesses that would benefit from using Webflow:
- Ecommerce stores: Webflow is an excellent platform for creating eCommerce websites, from small businesses to large enterprises. With its built-in eCommerce features, you can create a sophisticated online store without needing to code.
- Startups: Startups often need to create a website quickly and without a lot of upfront costs. Webflow’s free trial and low-cost paid plans make it an excellent option for startups.
- Freelancers: If you’re a freelancer, you can use Webflow to create a portfolio website to showcase your work. You can also use Webflow to create websites for your clients.
- Small businesses: Small businesses need websites that are professional and easy to use. Webflow’s templates and drag-and-drop editor make it an excellent platform for small businesses.
- Enterprise companies: Large enterprises can create complex websites with Webflow. And with its enterprise plans, you can access features like custom code and password protection.
- Nonprofits: Nonprofits can use Webflow to create professional and impactful websites. And with Webflow’s donation button feature, you can easily accept donations on your website.
- Educational institutions: Schools and universities can use Webflow to create websites for their students, faculty, and staff. And with Webflow’s built-in CMS, you can easily manage and update your website.
- Governments: Government agencies can use Webflow to create websites that are both informative and easy to use. And with Webflow’s security features, you can rest assured that your website is safe and secure.
- Professionals: If you’re a professional, such as a lawyer or doctor, you can use Webflow to create a website for your business. With Webflow, you can easily create a professional website without needing to hire a web developer.
Does Webflow Take a Percentage of Sales?
Yes, 2% per transaction is deducted from the total amount of each sale. This 2% is an additional fee over the transaction fee of your payment processor. For example, if you sell a product for $100, Webflow will take $2 as a transaction fee which is separate from 2.9%+30c that Stripe would charge for payment processing(if you use Stripe as your payment processor).
What Are the Alternatives to Webflow?
Here are some alternatives to Webflow:
- WordPress: WordPress is a popular content management system (CMS) that you can use to create a website. WordPress is free to use and comes with a large selection of themes and plugins.
- Wix: Wix is a drag-and-drop website builder that you can use to create a website. Wix is free to use and comes with a large selection of templates.
- Shopify: Shopify is an eCommerce platform that you can use to create an online store. Shopify starts at $29 monthly and comes with a 14-day free trial.
- Squarespace: Squarespace is a drag-and-drop website builder that you can use to create a website. Squarespace starts at $12 monthly and comes with a 14-day free trial.
- BigCommerce: BigCommerce is an eCommerce platform you can use to create an online store. BigCommerce starts at $29.95 per month and comes with a 15-day free trial.
- Weebly: Weebly is a drag-and-drop website builder that you can use to create a website. Weebly is free to use and comes with a large selection of templates.
- Jimdo: When you use Jimdo, you can create a website for free. Jimdo comes with a limited selection of templates and doesn’t offer a free trial.
- Magento: Magento is an eCommerce platform you can use to create an online store. Magento is free to download and use, but you’ll need to purchase a hosting plan and domain name.
- Drupal: Drupal is a popular content management system (CMS) that you can use to create a website. Drupal is free to download and use, but you’ll need to purchase a hosting plan and domain name.
- Joomla: Joomla is a popular content management system (CMS) that you can use to create a website. Joomla! is free to download and use, but you’ll need to purchase a hosting plan and domain name.
Each of these platforms has its advantages and disadvantages. So, before you choose a platform, be sure to weigh the pros and cons of each one.
Conclusion
The future of Webflow is bright. The platform is constantly evolving and adding new features. And with its growing community, you can be sure that plenty of support and resources will be available.
So, if you’re looking for a platform to create a website, Webflow is a great option. Just be sure to weigh the pros and cons to see if it’s right for you.
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FAQs
Is Webflow good for web development?
It depends on what you’re looking for in a web development platform. If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution that is easy to use and doesn’t require any coding, then Webflow might be a good option. However, if you want more control over your website’s design and functionality, you might consider other options such as WordPress.
Do professional web designers use Webflow?
Some professional web designers use Webflow, but it’s not nearly as popular as some of the other options. If you’re looking to hire a professional web designer, you might want to consider someone familiar with the platform who can help you get the most out of it.
Why is Webflow so hard?
Webflow can be challenging to use because it is a powerful platform. It offers a lot of control over the design and functionality of your website. But that also means there is a lot to learn. If you’re unfamiliar with web design or coding, you might find using all of the features Webflow offers challenging.
Which is better, Shopify or Webflow?
Shopify and Webflow are two of the most popular options for eCommerce platforms. They allow users to create beautiful online stores without prior coding knowledge.
So, which one is better?
Shopify is an excellent option for those looking for an easy-to-use platform with plenty of features. It’s also perfect for those who want to scale their business quickly. However, it can be pretty expensive, and there are some limitations when it comes to customization.
Webflow, on the other hand, is a bit more complex but also much more flexible. It’s perfect for those who want complete control over the look and feel of their store. However, it does require some coding knowledge, and it can be pretty time-consuming to build a complex website.
So, which one is better? It depends on your needs and preferences. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use platform with plenty of features, Shopify is a great option. However, if you want complete control over the look and feel of your website, Webflow is the better choice.
Do I need coding for Webflow?
No, you don’t need any coding knowledge to use Webflow. However, if you want to customize your website beyond the options available in the platform, then you will need to learn how to code.
