Webflow vs. WordPress: Which is Right For Your Business?

When it's time to launch a new website, one of the first questions we must answer is, "What content management system should I use?" After all, a CMS is the foundation from which a website is born. It can either help the website thrive or impose limits that will hinder its growth.

Two of the most popular content management systems online today are Webflow and WordPress. Although WordPress has seniority, Webflow has become a top contender, offering an experience many developers believe is far superior. But which is better for your website?

What Is Webflow?

Webflow is an intuitive content management system that makes it easy to build a high-quality website, even with minimal coding experience. Some of Webflow's top features include:

• Drag and Drop Website Builder: Webflow features a drag-and-drop editor that makes it easy for anyone to develop a unique website.
• SaaS Application: Unlike WordPress, which is open-source code you install on your own server, Webflow is a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution that handles everything for you. This includes hosting, security, and content management.
• Security: All Webflow websites feature built-in security features.
• No Plugins: There are no plugins for Webflow (though you can extend Webflow’s capabilities using integrations), creating a more secure system that's easier to manage.
• Flexible Pricing: You can start for free or choose a higher level of service.  
• SEO & Marketing: Webflow has built-in SEO and marketing features that make it easier to get the word out about your website.
• Templates: Webflow features a wide range of built-in templates. This makes it possible to launch your website quickly, even if you're not sure where to start.

What Is WordPress?

WordPress is a pioneer in the content management industry and has long been the go-to option for blogs and news publications. It was the first widely-accepted platform that made it easy for business owners to create their own websites without detailed knowledge of code. Some of the top WordPress features include:

• Themes: There are countless prebuilt WordPress themes to choose from.
• Plugins: WordPress offers plugins for just about every action on your website. However, too many plugins can become difficult to manage and open your website to security threats.
• SEO: WordPress features several third-party SEO plugins to help you market your website, but very little in terms of out-of-the-box options.
• Open Source Platform: WordPress is an open-source platform that's free to use. However, you may have to pay for plugins and themes that interest you.

Webflow vs. WordPress: Key Differences

Although Webflow and WordPress are both leading content management systems for website owners, there can be only one winner. We'll compare the two using several metrics.

Ease of Use and User Interface

Both platforms are designed to help users with absolutely no website design experience produce a stunning site. But Webflow is easier to use and offers a more intuitive user interface than WordPress. That's because you can completely customize Webflow without plugins or code.

If you want a 100% custom design with WordPress, you'll have to use a wide range of plugins and have in-depth coding skills. And as mentioned earlier, excessive use of plugins can turn WordPress into a convoluted interface that's difficult to navigate and can wreck your site security.

Flexibility and Customization Options

Both Webflow and WordPress are highly customizable. With Webflow, all you need to do is use the drag-and-drop website builder to create the custom design of your dreams. Although a custom design is possible on WordPress, building one is far less intuitive.

Since many plugins and custom code knowledge is needed to build a unique WordPress site, it's much more difficult for the average person.

Maintenance and Updates

No matter which option you choose, maintenance and updates are important considerations. You'll leave your site vulnerable to hackers if you fail to maintain it, and it will likely become dated relatively quickly.

Since Webflow is a SaaS solution, maintenance and updates are automatically handled for you. All you need to do is build the website, and Webflow handles the rest.

That's not necessarily the case when it comes to WordPress. With the WordPress platform, you'll need to regularly update all of your plugins, themes, and core files. Keeping a WordPress website updated and secure is a daily commitment.

SEO and Performance

Webflow offers robust tools for on-page SEO. These tools make it possible to ensure you're appeasing search engines while appealing to consumers. Moreover, you can update your meta title and description tags to adjust how your website appears in search engines.

With WordPress, there are countless SEO plugins to choose from. Some automate the SEO process like Webflow does, while others go deeper into marketing, giving you complete control over your website's SEO. However, finding a plugin that meets all your needs may take some time. The alternative is using multiple plugins, setting the stage for potential updates and security issues.

Support and Community

Webflow and WordPress both have rather large communities to lean on when you need support, though the WordPress community is larger.

However, Webflow is the clear winner when it comes to support.

WordPress is a free service, and support is limited. You may also have to reach out to multiple companies depending on whether your problem lies with core WordPress code, a plugin, a theme, or a mix of the three.

Webflow is a SaaS company. Service is in the name. When you work with Webflow, you can expect top-notch customer support from one central body rather than a runaround between plugin developers, theme developers, and your hosting solution.

Pricing and Budget Considerations

Webflow has a free option, but you'll want a paid solution if you're building a Webflow website for anything other than a small personal venture. Paid plans start at $18 per month and go up to $49 per month. You can also ask for custom services for enterprise-level companies. If you decide to pay annually, you'll save up to 22%.

WordPress is completely free, but that doesn't mean your website will be. WordPress is just the CMS code. When you use it, you'll need to consider the following fees for services that are already included when you sign up for Webflow:

• Hosting fees
• SSL fees
• Plugin fees
• Theme fees

Once you add all the fees you might pay for a WordPress website, there's a strong chance it costs more than a similar Webflow website.

Examples of Businesses That Use Webflow and WordPress

With Webflow and WordPress being the two most popular CMS solutions online today, it's not hard to find some big brands that take advantage of these solutions. So, who's using Webflow, and who's using WordPress?

Anrok (Webflow)

Anrok is a global SaaS sales tax index that provides business owners with information about the taxes they must pay. The website needed a search function that was engaging as well as easy to use, and Webflow allowed the company to pull this off effortlessly.

When you load the site, you'll find plenty of white space, which ensures users focus on the content rather than being distracted by too many design elements.

Meta Newsroom (WordPress)

Facebook is the most popular website online today. While its parent company, Meta, uses its own proprietary code for its social network, it uses WordPress for its newsroom. That makes sense since the website is built to share news, and that's what WordPress is best for.

Polygram (Webflow)

Polygram offers digital design studio features, and it needed an appealing website. The company hit the nail on the head with a highly engaging but simplistic design. When you load the website, you'll notice shapes that mirror your mouse movement, but the content in those shapes changes as you move around the page. The only clickable link on the homepage is the "i" icon at the bottom left, which includes a CTA for bookings.

Canadian Museum of History (WordPress)

WordPress powers the Canadian Museum of History's website, featuring one of the most impressive WordPress designs around. The design flows seamlessly, conveying the beauty of history through its design. Although it likely took significant coding knowledge to make this custom design, several plugins and help from professionals made it come to life.

Water Is a Human Right (Webflow)

Water Is a Human Right was a campaign by Viva con Agua that focused on providing clean water to people around the world without access. Built on Webflow, the campaign page is a stunning compilation of motion, graphics, and meaningful messages. There's no question that Webflow's highly customizable framework came in handy for this site.

TechCrunch (WordPress)

TechCrunch is one of the most trusted sources of technology news online today. The TechCrunch website is highly simplistic, but it works very well for distributing news. As a news website that's been around for quite some time, it only makes sense that TechCrunch is a WordPress site. After all, simple design and clean flow are areas where WordPress tends to stand out the most.

Should You Use Webflow or WordPress?

At Belt Creative, we've found that the best option for most websites is the Webflow platform. Webflow offers an easy-to-use platform that results in a more stunning and secure website. Not to mention, Webflow handles all updates and maintenance for you, so you can focus on more important aspects of your business.

If you're ready to launch your website, contact the team at Belt Creative. We're Webflow experts with decades of combined industry experience who would love to use our expertise to bring your ideas to life.