If you want to scale or focus on design: Webflow is better. Or, if you want to scale or focus on functionalities: WordPress might be better. However, Webflow has been catching up in terms of functionalities in the recent years.
If you want to scale or focus on design: Webflow is better. Or, if you want to scale or focus on functionalities: WordPress might be better. However, Webflow has been catching up in terms of functionalities in the recent years.
For someone who has worked with both Webflow and WordPress, this is still a tricky question.
Both platforms have their own appealing points.
It's hard to recommend without getting into the details.
So, in this article, I will compare Webflow and WordPress in terms of user pain points, instead of focusing on the features.
I will help you explore Webflow vs WordPress from the ease of use, SEO optimization, customization and design, e-commerce capabilities, pricing, and cost.
Spoiler Alert: We choose Webflow as a web development solution for our client's need.
By the end of this article, hopefully, you can decide which one is better for your business in 2023.
Chances are you know a little bit about these 2 platforms.
But we can't compare them without getting to know them individually.
Let's start with their infrastructure.
Compared with Webflow, WordPress is a more familiar name. It is older than Webflow; it has been here since the era of the blogging platform.
It powers 40 - 60% of all websites on the internet.
It offers a range of features and plugins that make it easy for users to customize and manage their websites.
This content management system (CMS) is what most people's go-to since the Blogger and Tumblr times: you can use it to make something as simple as blogs to complex e-commerce sites.
Pic credit: Atul Host
WordPress website is and still remains open source software.
One of the biggest advantages of using WordPress is its vast collection of plugins.
With over 55,000 plugins available in the WordPress plugin directory, users can easily extend the functionality of their WordPress site.
From adding an e-commerce site to integrating with popular web services, there is a plugin for almost anything you can imagine.
Installing a plugin on WordPress is easy: you just need to search for the desired plugin and once you find them, you just need to click the Install and Activate buttons.
Pic credit: Kinsta
This makes WordPress a flexible platform as it is highly customizable. There is no need for code generated.
However, plugins can be vulnerable too.
Poorly coded or outdated plugins can slow down your website or even cause security vulnerabilities.
As such, it's important to carefully vet any plugins you install and keep them up-to-date.
WordPress offers a vast collection of themes that can be easily customized to suit different website needs.
Example of WordPress theme directory
With both free and paid options, the WordPress theme marketplace offers thousands of designs to choose from.
The themes are pre-built templates that come with specific styles, layouts, and functionality.
So you can just pick which WordPress themes to be used for your various niches, including business, photography, e-commerce, and blogs.
The themes are easily installed from the WordPress dashboard, and customization can be done without any coding skills.
The WordPress themes are highly customizable, allowing you to modify different aspects of their website design.
You can choose to customize by using theme customization options, custom CSS, or by installing plugins.
Again, with the use of a visual editor or a page builder plugin, you can create unique designs without any coding skills.
Pic credit: Elementor
Additionally, WordPress themes are optimized for search engines, ensuring that your website is easily discoverable by search engine crawlers.
While there may be a learning curve for those without experience using plugins, WordPress's large community of web developers and web designers means that help is available for those who need it.
Graph credit to WP Beginner
Webflow CMS is a content management system offered by Webflow, allowing users to design and publish websites visually. It enables custom content structures, offers real-time updates, and integrates with various third-party tools. Unlike traditional CMS platforms, it prioritizes a visual design interface.
On the other hand, Webflow is a relatively new player in the market, but its user base is rapidly growing.
The platform has gained popularity among web designers and developers due to its unique visual page builder and fully customizable web design features since 2013.
Unlike WordPress, Webflow is not an open-source software.
A lot of designers who migrated from WordPress to Webflow CMS admitted how the interface is their major turned off.
WordPress interface is bulky and has bottlenecks.
Unlike WordPress, which has a cluttered and complex dashboard, Webflow provides a clean and simple interface that is easy to navigate.
The Webflow UI is user-friendly, intuitive, and visually appealing.
One of the standout features of the Webflow UI is its visual canvas.
This completely visual canvas allows users to see exactly what they are creating, eliminating the need to preview the design separately.
The Webflow UI is designed with web designers in mind and provides complete control over the design process.
So, you can simply use the drag-and-drop and place elements exactly where you want them.
Another advantage of Webflow is the no-code visual development platform that generates code in the background.
The generated code is clean and semantic, which improves the site's SEO. Webflow provides open access to the code, making it easy to create animations and customize elements.
Webflow also offers advanced features such as the ability to create and customize interactions, add CMS content, and integrate eCommerce.
These features are built into the interface, making it easy to use them without needing to install plugins or write custom code.
In contrast to WordPress, Webflow provides a completely different approach to website design and development.
WordPress requires the installation of plugins and custom code to achieve similar functionality, whereas Webflow provides everything built into its interface.
The Webflow interface is ideal for web designers who want freedom over the design process and do not want to be constrained by WordPress's limited visual editor.
Choosing the right website platform can have a significant impact on your online presence, which is why it's crucial to weigh your options carefully.
When it comes to features, both platforms offer a range of tools and capabilities that can help you build and manage your website.
So, instead of focusing on features, here we help you compare factors that you might have yourself.
Ease of use is actually subjective. A tool could be seen as easy to use depending on who was using it, for what, and where.
If you're a total beginner, your ease of use might differ from an intermediate designer or user.
Comparing the ease of use of WordPress and Webflow is not a simple task.
It depends on various factors such as your level of expertise, the purpose of the website, and the location of your visitors.
Ease of use is important for 2 main reasons: you don't want to spend time so long to learn how to use and second, you also don't want to be the only person to know how to use it.
WordPress has a user-friendly interface that allows even those with limited technical knowledge to set up and manage their website.
The dashboard is intuitive and easy to navigate, with a drag-and-drop visual editor that enables users to create and modify content without the need for coding skills.
Example of WordPress dashboard
Additionally, WordPress offers a huge selection of plugins and themes that you can use to customize the look of your website.
Webflow, on the other hand, is a more complex platform that requires a higher level of technical expertise.
Its visual page builder and responsive design tools are more advanced, allowing for greater customization options.
However, this also means that it can be more challenging to use, and it may take longer to set up and manage a website on Webflow.
WordPress may be a better option for those who want a simple and easy-to-use platform, while Webflow is more suitable for those who require more advanced customization and design options.
Additionally, location can be a factor as WordPress is more popular in some regions, while Webflow is preferred in others.
Ecwid shares data on Webflow site use based on countries
For Webflow, one pain point is the learning curve.
Although Webflow does offer a visual editor with a drag-and-drop function, it can take some time to learn how to use all of the features effectively.
I honestly took some time to understand the logic and Webflow system.
Additionally, since Webflow is a newer platform, there may be a smaller community of users to turn to for support and guidance.
Webflow community that can help you in using the CMS
For WordPress, one pain point is the complexity of the platform.
While it is a powerful content management system with a lot of flexibility, it can be overwhelming for beginners.
There's MySQL, PHP, and cPanel for some. Although now there's InstaWP to help you launch a WordPress website faster, you may need to learn a little bit about these in the future.
Screenshot of InstaWP that can help you create a WordPress website faster
The plugins, although mostly free, can be difficult and time-consuming to know which ones to use.
Another pain point to consider for both platforms is the potential for compatibility issues.
With Webflow, there may be limitations when it comes to integrating with third-party services or custom code.
With WordPress, plugin conflicts can arise and lead to errors or even site crashes.
Finally, hosting can also be a pain point for both platforms.
While there are many hosting providers that offer support for WordPress, choosing the right hosting platform can be challenging.
With Webflow, hosting is built-in but it may not be as flexible or customizable as some users would like.
Cost and pricing are important, regardless as you're at the start of the website building or for the long run.
Cost and pricing are important to consider as they can significantly affect the overall cost of building and maintaining a website.
You should weigh the cost and pricing of each platform against the needs and budget of the user, the level of customization, and flexibility required for your website.
When it comes to cost and pricing, Webflow and WordPress offer different approaches.
Webflow generally has higher monthly fees, but includes web hosting and a visual page builder, while WordPress is free to use but requires a separate web hosting service and may require premium plugins or custom code to achieve the desired functionality.
Webflow offers a range of pricing plans starting at $12 per month for basic website building and hosting features.
Webflow pricing by Flux Academy
Higher pricing tiers include more advanced features such as e-commerce functionality and team collaboration tools.
In contrast, WordPress is open source, so you can use them for free to download and use.
WordPress may be a better option for those who prefer flexibility in terms of cost.
In contrast, Webflow offers these features as part of its higher pricing tiers, making it a more cost-effective option for businesses that need these features.
Besides hosting, 1 major pain point to truly check is the cost of adding or further customizing the website.
As both WordPress and Webflow allow for custom code, this means users with web development experience can make more advanced changes without needing to pay for a more expensive plan.
However, for those without coding experience, WordPress customization can be a bit cheaper thanks to the huge library of WordPress plugins. Many additional functions are already developed or at least offered at a small cost to you.
This is highly unlikely for the Webflow website as they don't have the brevity of WordPress plugins and free or paid themes resources.
Customization and design are essential factors when it comes to building a website.
Both Webflow and WordPress offer a range of tools and capabilities to help users design and customize their websites.
Webflow's visual design tool makes it easy for you to create custom designs and layouts.
While for WordPress, this can depend on the builder plugins you're using and the theme you install.
Webflow editor. Pic credit: Smashing Magazine
This is how your brand will be visualized. And this is also how you want to show your user experience.
If you pick a platform that's hard for you, your design process and customize will take longer.
Besides the built-in visual editor that allows you to drag and drop elements onto your website, Webflow also offers pre-built templates and design assets.
For those who prefer custom code, Webflow offers that too, giving you the flexibility to create something truly unique.
WordPress also has a visual editor and offers a variety of pre-built templates and themes, but it really shines when it comes to customization.
You can extend functions in WordPress by installing a builder plugin, such as Elementor
With thousands of plugins, you can add features like social media integration, e-commerce functionality, and SEO optimization.
Plus, WordPress allows for custom coding, giving developers the ability to create truly unique designs.
If you're a beginner looking for a simpler option and options to edit the codes directly, Webflow may be the way to go.
But if you're an experienced developer or need advanced functionality, WordPress is the more customizable platform.
For businesses looking to create an online store, both WordPress and Webflow have their own unique pain points to consider.
While WordPress offers free plugins and themes that you can use to create your online store, you may need to find themes that come with Demo Data as this will save you time in rebuilding the site.
Import Demo Data that helps WordPress sites to be ready faster. Pic credit: greengeeks
Some WordPress themes do not come with demo data, hence, you either have to rebuild the contents one by one, or abandon the theme altogether and find other themes to use.
To compare, once you have a paid Webflow account, there is a built-in eCommerce functionality that can be used to create an online store.
This means it's easier for you.
However, this feature is only available on higher-priced plans, which can be a pain point for businesses on a budget.
You can start building on both platforms for free but to get more functions, you're needed to pay.
Support and resources are important because of what would happen when you're building your website and after.
So, you may need to look beyond the customer support, and also, their documentation, community forums, and standard rate for support.
Both Webflow and WordPress offer different options.
Webflow has a large community forum where you can ask questions and connect with other users.
You can also reach out to Webflow's dedicated support team if you have any issues with your site, especially as a paid user.
Webflow customer portal screenshot
In addition, they offer a large library of tutorials and video courses that can help you learn how to use their platform and create custom designs.
WordPress also has a large community of users, and there are many resources available online for troubleshooting and getting help to answer your WordPress related questions.
WordPress community forum, which is also present in the plugin directory
WordPress also has extensive official support forums and documentation to help you get started and troubleshoot any issues you may encounter.
When it comes to free or paid themes, WordPress has a massive selection available, many of which are free to use.
Webflow also has a good selection of templates, but they are not as extensive as WordPress.
However, Webflow offers a powerful visual designer that allows you to create custom designs without needing to code.
Overall, both platforms have strong support and resources available, so the decision will ultimately come down to personal preference and the specific needs of your site.
One pain point to consider when using WordPress is the need for constant updates to the software and plugins, which can sometimes cause conflicts and issues with customizations.
Plugin updates screenshot for when you need to maintain your plugins
Webflow, on the other hand, takes care of updates and hosting, which can be a relief for businesses looking to focus on design and customization.
This is a pain point as you need to allocate either time or extra cost to maintain your site. s
Lastly, on the point on how to rank on search engines.
SEO optimization is crucial for the success of any website, and both Webflow and WordPress offer tools and capabilities to help users optimize their websites for search engines.
SEO optimization makes sure your website will be found when people search for your keywords in the search engines.
When it comes to SEO optimization, both Webflow and WordPress offer excellent features.
However, Webflow takes a more visual approach, allowing users to create stunning web designs that are easy for search engine crawlers to read.
With its completely visual canvas, Webflow provides a platform that is highly customizable and allows easy control over SEO settings.
Plus, Webflow offers a wide range of SEO tools to help users optimize their website's performance, such as the ability to create meta descriptions and custom domain settings within their site builder itself.
WordPress, on the other hand, relies mostly on plugins for SEO optimization. This means you need to install and test which SEO plugin is the best for you.
But this also means you can customize and pick SEO settings as you need and know.
If you're looking for a platform that offers excellent SEO tools and a quick learning curve, Webflow might be the best platform for you.
Its SEO features are built directly into the interface and they have Webflow University that would help you how to create an SEO-friendly website.
On the other hand, if you want to control your website's SEO settings and are comfortable with the technical approach, WordPress might be the way to go.
Its hosting services, site plans, and plugin menu allow users to create custom websites with SEO in mind.
While WordPress may be a more familiar platform, it can be difficult for beginners to navigate and set up properly for SEO.
On the other hand, Webflow's visual canvas and no-code approach make it easier for beginners to optimize their sites for search engines.
With WordPress, you have access to a range of SEO plugins, but some of these can be difficult to set up correctly.
Meanwhile, Webflow offers built-in SEO tools that are straightforward and easy to use, giving you control over your site's meta descriptions, title tags, and other important settings.
When it comes to choosing between Webflow and WordPress, it ultimately comes down to your business needs and goals.
If you are looking for a website builder that is easy to use and offers a range of design capabilities, Webflow might be the better option.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a website builder that offers a vast library of plugins and themes, and you are comfortable with coding, WordPress might be a better option.
To summarize the pros and cons of Webflow and WordPress:
Webflow Pros One-liner: Easy-to-use visual canvas and you don't need to care for the backend configurations.
Webflow Cons One-liner: Customization is behind a paywall unless you know how to code.
WordPress Pros One-liner: You can have complete control over what you intend to build.
WordPress Cons One-liner: Steep learning curve, especially for non-coders, unless you intend to master WordPress.
In conclusion, both Webflow and WordPress offer different capabilities and features that can cater to different business needs.
Ultimately, it comes down to your business needs and goals, and you should choose the platform that best fits your requirements.
If you need help in building your website whether on WordPress or Webflow, feel free to contact us.
We'll be happy to assist you.
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Fiha is a passionate product designer hailing from Indonesia. With a background as a Frontend developer, Fiha transitioned my career into the dynamic world of product design. Fiha is dedicated to translating conceptual visions into user-friendly interfaces that resonate with users. In meantime, Fiha serve as a mentor, guiding aspiring individuals who seek to delve deeper into the realms of UI/UX.
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