I have worked exclusively with Wordpress over the years, but have begin to play around with Webflow.
Benefits of Webflow
Unparalleled Design Control
Webflow provides extensive control over website design. Users can start with a blank canvas for complete freedom or utilize and customize a variety of templates. This allows for unique, brand-specific websites.
Visual Development (No-Code/Low-Code)
Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and visual editor empower designers and non-coders to build complex layouts and interactions. While it's a no-code friendly platform, it also allows for the addition of custom code if needed, offering flexibility.
Responsive Design Simplified
Webflow offers built-in tools to design and preview websites across various screen sizes (desktop, tablet, mobile), ensuring a consistent and user-friendly experience on all devices.
Advanced Animations and Interactions
Users can create sophisticated animations and interactions (like parallax scrolling, hover effects, and scroll-triggered animations) directly within the visual editor, bringing websites to life without needing to write JavaScript.
Clean and Semantic Code
Webflow automatically generates clean, W3C-compliant HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This not only aids in website performance but also makes it easier for developers if they need to inspect or export the code.
Integrated Hosting
Webflow offers fast, secure, and reliable hosting powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and a global Content Delivery Network (CDN). This ensures quick loading times and uptime. SSL certificates are also included for security.
Reduced Reliance on Plugins
Unlike some platforms that heavily depend on third-party plugins for functionality (which can sometimes lead to security vulnerabilities or performance issues), Webflow has many features built-in. This can lead to more stable and easier-to-maintain websites.
Live Prototyping
Webflow allows for the creation of live, interactive prototypes. This means designers and clients can experience the website's functionality and feel in real-time during the design process.
Flexible Content Management System (CMS)
Webflow includes a powerful and flexible CMS that allows users to easily create and manage dynamic content such as blog posts, portfolio items, team members, and more, without needing to touch the design.
Client-Friendly Editor
For end-clients, Webflow offers a simplified "Editor" mode. This allows clients or content teams to update text, images, and other content on live sites without the risk of accidentally breaking the design or layout.
Built-in SEO Tools
Webflow provides tools to manage on-page SEO elements, including meta titles and descriptions, alt text for images, Open Graph settings, and the ability to generate and manage sitemaps and robots.txt files. The clean code and fast hosting also contribute positively to SEO.
Increased Productivity
The visual nature of Webflow can significantly speed up the design and development process.
Collaboration Features
Webflow offers workspace plans that facilitate teamwork, allowing multiple users to collaborate on projects with varying roles and permissions.
Scalability
Whether building a simple landing page or a complex e-commerce site or a large marketing website, Webflow provides the tools and infrastructure to scale as business needs grow.s
E-commerce Capabilities
Webflow offers built-in e-commerce tools to create and manage online stores, including product and inventory management, custom shopping carts, and payment gateway integrations.
Security
Beyond SSL, Webflow's hosting includes features like automatic backups and protection against DDoS attacks.
Integrations
Webflow supports a wide array of integrations with popular third-party services and applications.
Extensive Learning Resources
Webflow University provides a vast library of high-quality tutorials and documentation, making it easier for users to learn the platform.