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What Is Webflow? A deep dive into its features and benefits
Used for web designing purposes in almost all parts of the world, it is estimated that Webflow now has a user base of over 3.5 million designers and design teams. But what is Webflow, precisely? More importantly, can your business benefit from it—and how? This platform is all about providing creative freedom without coding, and our comprehensive guide is here to help you understand its main features and advantages.
What is Webflow? Understanding the basics
Webflow is a visual website builder that has quickly evolved from a rising startup to a leading tool in the web design industry. It allows professionals to create stunning, responsive, and high-performing websites without writing a single line of code. Not only that, but besides flexible design features, it provides hosting and content management options as well.
When it comes to Webflow vs. Wix, Squarespace, or other similar tools, Webflow is truly unrivaled.
Here is why:
- Customization—with this platform, you get full design control and amazing flexibility to build your brand and provide an unmatched user experience,
- Built-in features—unlike some other popular web-building platforms, Webflow doesn’t require you to install plugins to improve your website usability and functionality,
- Secured hosting—with the exceptional security measures Webflow provides, you can rest assured your website is safe from unauthorized access and other cyber threats,
- Robust CMS and SEO—this platform makes content marketing easy and, more importantly, it allows your website to scale,
- Clean code—Webflow provides code that is easy to understand and maintain, which can aid your website’s speed, responsiveness, and, therefore, ranking.
What is Webflow used for?
It is estimated that this platform gets approximately 4 million visits each month. From freelancers to large enterprises, many rely on Webflow to help them create sites for businesses across numerous industries. It can be used for building various website types and make them visually appealing and highly functional.
How does Webflow work?
Webflow is a SaaS platform that offers visual editing software. It allows designers and design teams to create unique, responsive, and high-functioning websites through a drag-and-drop interface. While designers use this visual tool, Webflow automatically generates clean CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. Although you can add custom code to a Webflow project for further customization options, in many cases, manual coding and prior coding knowledge are not a necessity.
Webflow has two modes—Webflow Designer and Webflow Editor. They are both important when it comes to creating intuitive and aesthetically pleasing sites. Webflow Designer is there to help you arrange the visual content and craft engaging and fully optimized websites. It helps you focus on the visual aspect of your new project and not be limited by technical constraints since the code will be written on its own.
As its name suggests, Webflow Editor is created to assist you in editing, and it’s primarily used for website content. It’s a user-friendly tool that can help you manage and publish your content. Its main feature is providing smooth collaboration between different users. It also offers assistance when it comes to achieving higher Google ranks, such as a powerful SEO tool and enhanced content optimization.
Webflow Hosting and the benefits it brings
One of the important benefits Webflow offers is the hosting possibility. Hosting your website directly with Webflow offers several advantages:
- Time efficiency—Webflow's integrated hosting ensures that all site components function seamlessly without additional configuration. Exporting your site's code to an external host can disrupt features.
- Simplified updates—With Webflow hosting, updating your site's layout and content is straightforward. If you host elsewhere, the updating process can get complicated.
- Enhanced security—Webflow manages site security for hosted sites. It reduces the need for manual security measures. If we’re comparing Webflow vs. WordPress, for example, note that WP requires security plugins to protect your site.
- Cost considerations—While Webflow's hosting might seem pricier than some alternatives, it can be cost-effective when considering the time and effort saved.
Can You Really Use Webflow Without Coding?
The amazing thing about this web builder is it can be used by both code savvies and those with no coding knowledge. Therefore, the answer is yes—you can use Webflow without any coding knowledge.
However, unlike other similar builders, this platform gives you the possibility to use custom code whenever you see fit (if you know how). It can be a great way of expanding Webflow’s standard features. Advanced coding knowledge comes in handy when you want to:
- Connect external tools,
- Enhance interactivity with advanced animations,
- Apply custom styles beyond Webflow’s default settings,
- Retrieve and showcase data from external APIs.
What is CMS in Webflow?
Webflow CMS (Content Management System) is one of the key Webflow features that provides numerous customization possibilities. It can be accessed by both the Designer and the Editor. However, in the Designer, you are able to build CMS, while in the Editor, you are required to use only the CMS that has already been created.
Webflow’s CMS Collections and Collection Items
In Webflow, designers, designing teams, and website owners have access to CMS collections. These collections are databases where you store and organize content for your website. It helps you be more efficient and productive—with its help, you don’t have to manually create each page. Instead, you can choose or design a template and create new pages with unique content. These CMS Collections can be:
- Blog posts,
- Authors,
- Services
- Testimonials,
- Products, etc.
The same content types share design solutions but have different content. Each of these Collections is made out of Collection Items that represent individual pieces of content.
A feature that sets Webflow CMS apart from others is the possibility to connect CMS Collections. For example, if you have a Blog Collection and an Authors Collection, you can reference an author inside each blog post instead of manually typing their name every time.
Webflow vs. other website builders—what makes it different?
Webflow stands out when it comes to its customization options and clean code, but how does it compare to other popular platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress? Take a look at the table below to spot the key differences.
So, is Webflow the same as WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace? They are all some of the most popular web builders of today. However, Webflow clearly outshines the rest in certain aspects. It provides unmatched design freedom perfect for custom layouts. Not only that, but it promises clean, high-performing code, as well as robust CMS and SEO features.
That being said, Webflow can be a bit harder to master for web design beginners, which is why many opt to hire a professional Webflow agency. Experienced designers and design teams, on the other hand, will typically have no problem once they switch to Webflow. At the same time, pricing can be an issue for some of the potential Webflow users. However, it’s important to leverage all the benefits, as well as hosting and built-in features you get, once you opt for one of the Webflow plans.
Which is better, Figma or Webflow?
Figma and Webflow serve different purposes, so the answer depends on your needs. Figma is a powerful design tool used for creating UI/UX prototypes, wireframes, and design mockups. It’s an ideal tool for the design planning phase. Webflow, on the other hand, is a website builder that allows you to craft stunning UX/UI designs and develop a live, interactive website.
Therefore, if you're looking to design and prototype, you can use both Figma and Webflow. However, if you want to build and launch a functional website, Webflow is the superior option. That being said, note that many designers use both together—Figma for initial designs and Webflow for actual development.
Is Webflow right for you?
Webflow offers a variety of plans for freelancers, in-house teams, and agencies. It’s the prime solution for freelance web designers and web design agencies. On top of that, it’s the best option for small businesses and startups who aim for a strong online presence. Webflow’s amazing customization options, rapid prototyping, SEO optimization, and scalability are features startups and SMBs can benefit from.
What is Webflow not good for? Due to the steeper learning curve, this platform may not be a good choice for absolute web design beginners. Simultaneously, other web builders may be a better option for simple projects.
Lastly, it’s also not the best platform for building large-scale e-commerce. Make no mistake—it does offer e-commerce features and plans. Moreover, significant growth is observed each year when it comes to active e-commerce websites on Webflow. However, it’s not a platform specially designed with e-commerce in mind, so it may be lacking when it comes to complex product variations or large inventories.
Is Webflow worth It? Absolutely—with the right designers by your side
Webflow proves to be one of the best options for those who want complete control when it comes to web design. Combined with a streamlined development process and content management, it is no surprise that Webflow has become one of the favorite web builders for those crafting or merging a website.
However, to fully take advantage of all the benefits Webflow web design offers, it’s best to partner up with seasoned professionals who know all the ins and outs of this platform. As a prime Webflow agency, Devolfs can turn what’s known as one of the most popular web builders into a powerful tool ready to enhance your digital presence. So, are you ready to elevate your website with Webflow? Contact us today and let our experts craft a website that will drive results.
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