A Powerful Website Building Platform That Gives You Control [2023]

All the Control And None of the Hassle

What? Yes. Correct. You get a LOT of control in the process of creating your website. Every element and class is at your fingertips much like Wordpress, but none of the plug-in compatibility or endless security patches and breaches. Webflow operates much like competitors such as Squarespace, but give you much more control to take the design into your own hands and make it unique. Though you can use templates, the freedom to just build is refreshing and goes beyond the cookie cutter look. I am only scratching the surface myself in the Webflow ecosystem. As time goes, I will add more rich features as well.

What Makes Webflow So Great?!

The ability to create fully custom pixel perfect websites that elevate your brand or service rather than fitting into a template with limited customizability. The power of writing code without writing code is what made me fall in love with this product.

• Gated Membership Content [BETA]
  This feature has me excited. I am slowly working toward the goal of having membership driven materials. Whether you offer or plan to offer premium subscription content, online courses or a member portal with tiered access, this will be a much welcome addition. Find out more about upcoming memberships [here].
• Build a Custom E-Commerce Store to fit your Brand
  ‍Look beyond cookie cutter templates; build your brand, including complete layout control, custom checkout pages, interactions and animations. You can even customize transactional emails without ever writing a line of code. Payment methods supported are secure payments via Stripe (credit card), Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal. Native Integrations such as sending order details to Quickbooks, collecting customer emails in Mailchimp, including fulfillment and dropship options. Why stop there? Automate tax collection and on-page SEO, integrate with Google Analytics, sell digital or physical products, streamline shipping options while keeping orders synced with shipping software, and the list goes on. Find out more about e-commerce [here].
• Web Design for Everyone
  Are you looking for a static website without the need for e-commerce or other advanced CMS feature sets? Webflow is for you to. My site is by definition, at the time of this writing, a mostly static website. While I am in the midst of adding content and intending to integrate some e-commerce and/or membership products, I began my Webflow experience as a basic website subscription. However, there is nothing basic or template about it. I still wanted a completely custom experience where I could mold every detail on every page to my brand look while being confident it would looks great on desktops, laptops, and tablets/phones. I was glad to find no real limitations on what I could design even with the basic subscription. This is where Webflow excelled and why I promote its virtues; I personally use it to create and host this website. I honestly find it easier to adjust and understand than Squarespace as well. Running GT Metrix speed tests, I have also found that performance is excellent as highlighted below. Find out more about designer [here].

• Content Management System [CMS]
  Connect your collections or add a blog component with no database management required. Find out more about CMS [here].
• Animations and Interactions
  ‍Easily build components from scroll-based parallax animations to tying motion to scroll process, and even animations that build as you scroll. You can create micro animations based on mouse movement to capture the users attention. Animations can be simple or rich and complex, only limited to your brand experience. To take it further, you can even control the playback of AfterEffects and Lottie Animation files with Webflow's interactions triggers without code. Find out more animations and interactions [here].
• Logic [BETA]
  ‍This is an exciting feature coming to Webflow. The ability to create a logic workflow based on custom form submission answers. Create new CRM leads based on form submissions. Trigger customer communications based on site activity all by setting triggers with conditions followed by actions. Create a more personal and onboarding experience. For dynamic sites, this could be a game changer. Find out more about upcoming logic [here].

Pricing

I believe Webflow is great value for what you get - that is why I have trusted it with my own website. It is feature rich, very customizable, fast and stable all while competing with the best of the SAAS platform services. All prices are USD. As of March 2023, my website is running on the BASIC site plan. If you are not an Agency or large firm, you only need the free Workspace plan and the BASIC site plan for a static format website. If you move into e-commerce or CMS dynamic web design collections (such as a blog or inventory), then the popular CMS or Business Plans are what you want. Find out more about plans and pricing [here].

Support

Customer support is available Monday to Friday from 6 am to 6 pm PT. There is also a forum style support and an extensive knowledge base. I have to admit that I have not yet once needed to email their support. I have found every answer from either their Webflow University help pages or a simple Google Search. So as much as some may offer phone or 24/7 support, I have not found a shortcoming here as the product has been well documented and is stable.

Pros

• Powerful Customization (there is so much to harness)
• No Code Required (Fantastic)
• Very Friendly to Solo Entrepreneurs, Designers and Agencies
• High Performance Platform (see my GT Metrix Score above)
• Secure Free SSL and DDoS Protection
• One Click Restore Backups
• Webflow University is a very well done support and learning hub.

Cons

• Learning Curve Needed to Maximize the Product
• Email, Webflow Chatbot and Forum Support. No phone option.