Why I chose to avoid Webflow
I recently started a studio aimed at covering the design & development needs of modern startups (speed + accuracy + quality).
Many prospects ask if we're doing Webflow. And they're pretty surprised when I say no.
We've worked with Webflow. It's a good platform. Might work for many. But working with other options makes it marginally worse for me. Between using Wordpress (yes, the old hated WP) + Elementor and Framer for things that need integration with React, I wouldn't ever go for Webflow. Sometimes it feels easier to do things in raw code rather than changing something in Webflow. It feels very clunky, when it should be the exact opposite. By comparison, Framer is fast and clean as hell.
For my studio, we chose to stick to WP, Framer, or Next JS. That covers most needs for landing pages, marketing websites, or full-fledged web apps. All of our projects turned out well so far, no complaints. And my team is happily embracing not having that option.
Wondering if anybody else had that.
I switched from WP to Webflow a few years back. Webflow has many limitations, and you need to work with them. If you want to build an entire e-commerce store on it, I won't work. Choose Woocomerce or Shopify.
I see two main phases of every project.
Development / Building
Admin / Servicing
Webflow just works. It isn't complex like WP; you can't build so many different things like on WP, but Webflow just works.
I agree. Although there are limitations to Webflow I find most projects fit within its scope.
Despite being a little more expensive it feels cleaner to both build and maintain. With Wordpress I felt like I continuously needed a plug-in which all were conspiring to weigh down my sites load speed.
I don’t have anything out for WordPress but would have to be dragged back kicking and screaming 😄.
We've been using Webflow since 2015 and a couple of years ago went Webflow-exclusive. I totally get all of your issues with it. There have definitely been times when we've bumped up against limitations (particularly with ecomm) but the equation of speed of iteration + quality of support and community X how much and fast Webflow is growing has always impressed the crap out of us. Just curious if you caught any of the announcements from Webflow Conf last week? Looks like syncing with React projects is about to become easier.
Cant wait for the DevLink feature!
All fair points and don't get me wrong, I consider Webflow a very powerful tool. Especially if it's what you use day to day.
I've seen Devlink. We're usually faster working with Next JS + Tailwind + Framer motion, so it's easier to just build interfaces directly in React. But that is definitely a good move by the Webflow team, it will prove very useful.
Agree on Framer. It was a game changer for us as well, especially coming from a Figma background.
I kind of felt the same here and I went with a website I coded with React/NextJS. Though it does seem like it still took me long and possible as long as Webflow would have and the visual quality didn't look AS some of the Webflow sites I have seen. Am thinking of trying out a Webflow site and comparing it.
For landing pages & marketing websites I try to avoid shiny thing syndrome.
Unless I need a different CMS for something specific I'll just use WP/Elementor.
If you can get the result they want, I wouldn't worry about jumping onto Webflow just because it's the current thing.
Exactly. I get why WP got its bad reputation when you have to use themes, but now the workflow is mega streamlined.
The current thing in my circles is Framer, so even there Webflow doesn't get any prize.
here at the company we are switching from WordPress + Elementor to Duda.co. 6 times faster to develop, without relying on plugins and the best friend of recurring revenue!
My nephew started doing sites in webflow but was surprised at the hosting costs for it. In the end he found it was cheaper to build in that then use an export service to make a wordpress theme and then upload it to my reseller hosting. The businesses he was targeting would rather a managed service than do edits themselves so anything major he can export again.
I did try and sell him on the idea of just using wordpress but he had already purchased some frameworks to speed things up.
Did have to highlight using correct image sizes, no need for 3000px for a 250px generic shot when he said my hosting was slow. 8mb of redundant images!
No code does have a lot to answer for at times :)
This comment was deleted a year ago.
This comment was deleted a year ago.
I get where you come from, WP can be confusing in so many ways and there are much more variables to choose from (hosting, plugins, tooling, etc). So if you don't have the luck to land on an easier setup it can get frustrating.
I encourage the 'what works best' approach. If it gets the job done, go for it!
Also give Framer a go, I think long term they'll become the go-to alternative for Webflow, so it's worth learning.
This comment was deleted a year ago.