Why so many businesses are switching from WordPress to Webflow, and should you too?
1. Introduction
Founded in 2012 by Vlad Magdalen, Webflow is a no-code content management system (CMS) for building websites and has undoubtedly seen some substantial growth over the last few years. Just a quick glance at the graph below shows its increasing prominence – with the number of websites using Webflow more than doubling since the beginning of the year.
This raises the question, why are so many businesses choosing Webflow, and should you too?
2. Ease of Use and Design Flexibility
Webflow’s key point of difference is its very intuitive visual interface, a key feature somewhat shared by its biggest competitor, WordPress, the world’s most popular CMS, used by ~43% of websites. However, with WordPress, not every website is the same – as many companies opt for using different Page Builder Plug-ins, some common ones being Elementor, Divi, etc.
What this means is when you build your website with WordPress, the page builder you choose might dictate who you can employ to make changes on your website, meaning you will need to search in a more specific talent pool. This might mean looking for a developer that knows how to use Divi AND WordPress, instead of just searching for a developer that knows how to use Webflow.
However, Webflow doesn’t completely avoid this issue, with some plugins also being available and different styling systems being used, such as ‘client first’ which some developers may not use. Yet, overall, it is safe to say that the variability in using Webflow for design will be much less.
3. Integrated CMS and Hosting
Another point to note regarding Webflow is that it is not only a content management system (CMS) but also looks after hosting for you. Webflow offers hosting through Amazon Web Services (AWS), a secure and well-renowned server for its speed and little downtime. In addition, you can also connect your DNS and publish your site live with the click of a button.
While WordPress does not share these two perks, some users may prefer it – with the option to host with whoever they want at many (often cheaper) price points. You can also host with other hosting providers if you use Webflow – but why would you if hosting with AWS is included and you’re paying for it?
4. Speed and Performance
Of all the websites I’ve run speed tests on, something consistent pops out at me – Homemade Webflow sites consistently achieve better speed metrics than homemade WordPress site – see a relatively quickly made, one-page website’s desktop performance below:
Feel free to run your own lighthouse report on your site and others you may know by using this PageSpeed Tool made by Google.
Optimising a WordPress site for speed is a lot more difficult as there are many layers you might need to peel through – Who is the client hosting with? Is there a CDN? How was it built? What format are images uploaded in?… The list is long.
That said, if I had to create a super fast loading website, I would choose WordPress, because there is much more flexibility with what you can build with and how you can build it. However, if you are making your website yourself, Webflow might be worth consideration.
You may wonder, why should I care how fast my website is?
Does a 3 second longer loading speed really make a difference…?
Yes!! If a page takes longer than 3 seconds to load, 53% of mobile visitors will leave. (Source: Huckabuy).
If approximately 1000 users visit your site a month, half of them will likely be mobile users. If your website loading speed is over 3 seconds, say goodbye to 250 potential buyers.
A fast speed is also a positive SEO signal – meaning, the faster the website is, the more likely Google will rank it high in search results. The time users spend on sites is also a positive SEO signal, so if your site is faster, users will be less likely to bounce and spend longer on your site, compounding the positive SEO signal, and helping you rank even higher.
This means improving your website speed could mean getting your good or service ahead of competitors in Google search and in front of more high-intent buyers.
So why do I recommend Webflow if you are building your site yourself for speed? First off, hosting with AWS definitely helps. Secondly, Webflow provides recommendations on what you need to do to optimise the website for speed, SEO, and accessibility and prompts you to implement them as the site goes live.
With WordPress, you can host with anyone, you could have multiple plugins that could be conflicting and slowing things down, you could be running an older PHP version, the theme you chose could be too heavy, all things you might not pick up without consulting an experienced developer.
6. SEO Capabilities
One question that always pops up with clients when considering a move to Webflow from another CMS is will I lose my SEO?
Unfortunately, the answer is maybe.
The outcome largely depends on how the migration is done.
Are URLs and content maintained? Is the website already technically optimised and will the new website be?
The answer could also be you might see increased traffic – improved page speed and the optimisation of a site that wasn’t initially optimised could be very positive.
7. Cost Considerations
A final, very important question for many small businesses, is which one is going to cost more money?
Webflow will probably set you back between $20-35/month (AUD), depending on the plan you choose. View full Webflow pricing here (prices in USD).
WordPress will set you back… nothing. You just have to pay for hosting, which can be as lower $10/month.
9. Conclusion
Overall, the decision you make is up to you and what your business needs to get from your website.
If you are considering moving CMS, or not sure which one best suits your needs, feel free to get in touch with us and we would be happy to run you through the options.