WordPress and Webflow are two popular content management systems for building websites. Webflow and WordPress have strengths and weaknesses but consider your needs and technical expertise before choosing. For example, Webflow comes with web hosting, however with WordPress you’ll need to find a Wordpress hosting plan. To help you make an informed decision, we researched and covered the key differences and similarities between WordPress vs. Webflow.
Key Highlights
- WordPress is an open-source CMS for creating websites and blogs, and it is the most used web builder globally
- WordPress has thousands of themes and plugins for creating different websites, but Webflow is easier to customize
- WordPress and Webflow are similar in many ways, including having a content management system, customizable design templates, and third-party integrations
- WordPress sites can be hosted on the platform, but you must buy hosting separately. On the other hand, Webflow has in-built hosting.
- WordPress has more SEO plugins than Webflow, making it the best option for search engine optimization
WordPress vs. Webflow: Similarities
Let us first check out similarities:
- Content Management System (CMS)
- Customizable Design Templates
- Third-Party Integrations
1. Content Management System (CMS)
WordPress and Webflow have a content management system that web developers use to create and manage website content. Both have an intuitive interface, and you can add and edit content. Also, with WordPress and Webflow, you can manage the site users and their roles.
The two web builders also have similar features, like a website dashboard, themes for customizing the website design, content editors, plugins, and extensions. WordPress and Webflow have user management features that make publishing content on the internet easy.
WordPress is used by 43.2% of all websites, meaning they have a market share of 63.3%.
Source: W3techs.com
2. Customizable Design Templates
Another similarity between WordPress and Webflow is customizable design templates. Customizable templates are used to efficiently set up pages that share content, layout, or sub-page hierarchy. With WordPress and Webflow customizable design templates, users can create personalized and unique websites.
On both platforms, you can customize fonts, change text colors, add images and videos, and change layouts. Also, both website builders have a drag-and-drop theme editor that makes customization easier. Another upside of customizable design templates is that they require no design skills and offer various options.
3. Third-Party Integrations
A third-party integration attaches an application programming interface (API) from one app to another. Web developers use third-party integration tools to make products perform similar functions as the app integrated. WordPress and Webflow offer integrations with many third-party tools and services.
This allows web developers to include more functionalities in their websites. When you integrate tools into your website, you will get more control over how your site and the third-party tool integrate. Also, you can customize the third-party tool to meet your needs, and that of the website user, and integration software can be API-driven or plugins.
Furthermore, you can integrate customer relationship management (CRM) systems, analytic software, e-mail, social media, and e-commerce tools. WordPress and Webflow integrate with popular tools like Google Analytics, MailChimp, and the payment processor, PayPal.
WordPress vs. Webflow: Differences
Now that we’ve gone through similarities, we’ll now go through differences:
- Learning Curve and Ease of Use
- Hosting and Security
- Cost and Pricing Model
- Design and Customization Options
- SEO and Performance Optimization
Learning Curve and Ease of Use
One key way WordPress and Webflow differ is the ease of use, but it makes them better than most CMS platforms. A person without coding skills can build a website using WordPress or Webflow. Out of the two, WordPress has an easier learning curve, especially for someone with no idea of HTML and CSS.
Below is how WordPress and Webflow differ in the learning curve and ease of use.
1. WordPress
The high number of WordPress users is mainly because it is easy to use, irrespective of the user’s skill level. But as mentioned, WordPress has a slight learning curve, so first-time users must get familiar with the platform’s features. This includes themes, plugins, knowing the difference between pages and posts, tags and categories, etc.
Adding content to a WordPress website is easy, and the platform has an intuitive visual editor called a block editor. With the block editor, you can create beautiful web page layouts without writing a single code. You can also use drag-and-drop page builders, and there are customizable templates you can edit to meet your needs.
2. Webflow
Webflow has an attractive backend dashboard for managing websites, and you can use the visual interface to design content. You can edit the content and design layouts using a live preview. Also, Webflow has a visual editor for editing templates to meet your website requirements.
However, the visual editor is feature-rich, making it hard for beginners to get used to. Furthermore, when editing, you can point and click on the element you want to be changed or add new ones. So, between Webflow and WordPress, Webflow is easier for beginners to use, although it also has a learning curve like WordPress.
But if you replace WordPress’s default editor with a page builder that meets your needs and skills, it is a better option. Also, WordPress is more flexible and has better CMS capabilities than Webflow.
Hosting and Security
Web hosting involves storing and maintaining website files and applications on a server to make the site more accessible online. There are different web hosting, including shared, dedicated, VPS, and managed WordPress hosting.
Website security refers to actions taken to ensure that website data does not fall into the hands of fraudulent third parties.
So, how do WordPress and Webflow differ in hosting and security?
1. WordPress
WordPress has hosting specifically for websites built with the CMS platform, and it has the following features:
- Free domain
- Free SSL certificate
- Dedicated support
- Free website migration
- Unlimited email
- Non-volatile memory express (NVMe) SSD storage
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Advanced caching
Websites using WordPress hosting have better speed and performance. However, you don’t have to host your site on WordPress. You can use an external hosting service and choose from shared, dedicated, VPS, or cloud hosting.
WordPress has different security options, including DDOS and WAF protection, malware scanning and removal, and real-time activity log. There’s also a free SSL certificate, and WordPress encrypts every registered domain. However, WordPress has many cyber attacks despite these security features, especially when the website has outdated themes and plugins.
2. Webflow
Webflow has in-built hosting capabilities that are highly scalable, fast, and work well with sites built using the CMS platform. It provides a free SSL certificate, two Tier 1 CDNs, and uses Amazon Web Services (AWS). Also, Webflow manages its hosting solution, including security updates.
The CMS platform uses cloud security, storing its data on AWS, and since Amazon security is top-notch, Webflow sites are pretty secure. Also, Webflow hosting, unlike WordPress, is free, and you can connect an external hosting service to your Webflow site.
Cost and Pricing Model
Cost is a key determinant when choosing a website builder. As a web developer building a site for a business owner, you must consider their budget. So, this WordPress vs. Webflow section will compare both platforms’ cost and pricing models.
1. WordPress
The WordPress software is free, but you will pay for a domain name, hosting, and any premium plugin, theme, or third-party integration. WordPress’s domain name costs $14.99 yearly, and the website hosting fee starts from $7.99 monthly. However, you can cut costs on WordPress by taking advantage of the thousands of free plugins and themes.
So, as a beginner with a limited budget, you can still build a decent website using WordPress’s free tools. However, if you can afford to buy premium themes and plugins, here’s WordPress’s pricing model:
- Personal: It is billed at $4 monthly and $48 yearly. You will get a free domain, an ad-free experience, extremely fast DNS and SSL, and email support.
- Premium: It is billed at $8 monthly and $96 yearly. You will get everything in Personal, plus premium themes, earn with WordAds, unlimited social media sites, style customization, 13GB storage, etc.
- Business: It is billed at $25 monthly and $300 yearly. You will get everything in Premium, plus unrestricted bandwidth, managed malware protection, DDOS mitigation, global CDN with over 28 locations, etc.
- Commerce: It is billed at $45 monthly and $540 yearly. You will get everything in Business, plus store customization, sales reports, extensions marketplace, integrations with top shipping carriers, etc.
WordPress also has an Enterprise pricing model for large organizations, starting at $2,000 monthly and up to $25,000 yearly.
2. Webflow
How much does Webflow cost?
Unlike WordPress, you cannot do much with the accessible version of Webflow. You can only build and host your website using a sub-domain name with Webflow’s branding. You must use either of its paid plans to get more out of the platform.
Webflow has two pricing models: Site and Workspaces Plans. Site Plans are further divided into General and E-Commerce. Under General, there is the Basic Plan ($14 monthly), CMS Plan ($23 monthly), Business Plan ($39 monthly), and Enterprise.
Enterprise plans are customized, and the price is quoted based on the user’s needs. Under E-Commerce, there is Standard Plan ($29 monthly), Plus Plan ($74 monthly), Advanced Plan ($212 monthly). Workspaces Plans are for in-house teams, freelancers, and agencies, and pricing starts at $16 monthly and can go as high as $35 monthly.
Note that each pricing plan is billed yearly, and you save 30% when you pay annually. However, despite the discount, WordPress costs and pricing models are better than Webflow and more suitable for beginners, and you enjoy better features.
Design and Customization Options
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced web developer, you must use design and customization tools to build your site. This section compares the design and customization options of WordPress and Webflow.
1. WordPress
WordPress has over 30,000 themes/website design templates that are free and mobile-friendly. You can use any of these themes to create a website, and switching templates at any time is possible. Also, you can use the live customizer to edit the theme to your preferences within WordPress.
Furthermore, WordPress design elements differ from content, ensuring consistency throughout the design process. Themes and page builder plugins can be combined to create landing pages, and you can also write codes when customizing.
2. WebFlow
Unlike WordPress, Webflow only has about 1,500 plus templates, but they are mobile responsive and used for different websites. You cannot change a template once you have chosen it unless you start a new design.
However, since Webflow has a visual design editor, editing templates are easy, and you can change any elements on any website page. Also, Webflow offers advanced animation and interaction features, but it is not as flexible as WordPress.
SEO and Performance Optimization
SEO’s importance to website performance and ranking on search engines cannot be overemphasized. Therefore, when choosing a website builder, you must go for an SEO-friendly one. Below is how WordPress vs. Webflow SEO and performance optimization compare.
1. WordPress
WordPress is search engine friendly and follows SEO best practices. As a result, it is the preferred choice to boost search engine rankings and website traffic. WordPress has built-in plugins, and you can create URLs, change permalink settings, add tags to blog posts, and categorize the content.
Also, you can edit alt text images, add meta descriptions, and focus keywords. WordPress has plugins for SEO tools like Yoast SEO and Rank Math, and you can conduct analysis using Google Analytics. Furthermore, WordPress’s All-in-One SEO (AIOSEO) allows you to generate XML sitemaps, track and redirect broken links, set up schema markup, etc.
2. Webflow
Webflow has built-in SEO features for website optimization for search engines. You can add meta descriptions, edit title tags, and add URLs for each page. Also, you can change the open graph settings and edit content to reflect how you want it to appear on social media.
You can stop search engines from indexing your website if you do not want it. Furthermore, you can edit robots.txt files and auto-generate sitemaps, but you must buy a site plan to access advanced SEO features. Webflow has 301 redirects if you want to move blog posts to another location. Ultimately, WordPress has better features and flexibility for SEO and performance optimization.
Examples of Websites That Are Better Suited for WordPress or Webflow
Below are examples of websites you can build with WordPress or Webflow.
WordPress
So far, his article has answered the question: why choose WordPress over Webflow? Next are examples of sites you can build with the CMS platform.
1. Blogging Websites
WordPress has extensive blogging capabilities, making it the preferred choice for new and experienced bloggers. This platform lets you easily create, publish, and manage content.
2. E-Commerce Websites
WordPress is famous for offering different e-commerce integrations and plugins. As a result, it is the best choice for businesses that want to sell products online.
3. Content-Heavy Websites
WordPress is an excellent fit for websites with a lot of content. Examples are online magazines, news websites, and educational websites.
4. Community-Driven Website
Websites that rely heavily on user-generated content should be built with WordPress. Examples are social networks and forums.
Webflow
The following are examples of sites you can build with Webflow:
1. Creative Agency Websites
Webflow has advanced design and customization options. As such, it is an excellent choice for creative agencies and design firms looking to showcase their work.
2. Portfolio Websites
Webflow has a responsive design and impressive animation features. So, web developers that want to create portfolio websites that showcase visual content prefer it.
3. Landing Pages and Lead Generation Websites
Landing pages and lead generation websites are other examples of sites built with Webflow. The platform has easy-to-use forms and integrations with marketing automation tools.
4. Small Business Websites
Webflow has a user-friendly visual editor and built-in hosting. As a result, it is the best choice for small businesses that want a professional website without writing code.
Conclusion
This article discussed the similarities and differences between WordPress and Webflow. While WordPress is a clear winner for most features, consider your skill level, user-friendliness, flexibility of design options, SEO-friendliness, and budget before choosing. For other detailed comparisons of WordPress and other CMS platforms, visit HostAdvice’s resource center.
Next Steps: What Now?
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- Check out Best Designers’ Website Builders for 2023
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