Since the early 2000s, WordPress has been widely adopted as an open-source Content Management System (CMS), with over 810 million websites being powered by the tool as of 2023. That’s around 43% of all websites! Its user-friendly interface and extensive community support have contributed to its sustained popularity in the realm of website management.
Despite being the top choice for many B2B companies for a long, long time, a new competitor has emerged in recent years. Enter: Webflow
Launched in 2013, this web tool has gained recognition for its intuitive visual interface, allowing users to design, build, and launch responsive websites without the need for extensive coding knowledge.
With more web development options than ever before, it’s not exactly easy to choose the right one for your business in 2024. Luckily for you, as designers and developers, we have experience with several website design and development platforms. We know where some fall short and others rise above the competition. In this blog, we’re going to take a closer look at both WordPress and Webflow and how they compare when it comes to:
*Disclaimer: Our preferred platform of choice is Webflow (and for good reason). But please - have a read through this blog and make your mind up for yourself. And if you have any questions about anything, you can reach out to us at any time. We’d be thrilled to offer our guidance on what platform would work best for your business.
WordPress and Webflow are both powerful platforms with distinct approaches to web design, catering to different user preferences and skill sets. WordPress, with its extensive range of themes and plugins, offers a deep well of design options for affordable prices. Its strength lies in its flexibility, allowing users to customize layouts and styles. However, design changes often require some coding knowledge, and the user experience can vary depending on the themes and plugins used.
On the other hand, Webflow distinguishes itself with an intuitive visual interface, empowering users to design websites visually without delving into code. The platform provides a comprehensive design toolset, enabling users to seamlessly create intricate animations, interactions, and responsive layouts. Webflow's emphasis on a clean, modern aesthetic and its real-time design capabilities make it an attractive choice for designers who prioritize a more hands-on and visually-driven front-end development environment.
While both platforms offer robust design capabilities, the choice between WordPress and Webflow often boils down to the user's comfort with coding and the level of control and precision they desire in their design process.
WordPress theme marketplaces boast a repository of themes and plugins allowing for a wide range of functionalities, making it adaptable for various projects. However, it involves setting up and hosting a domain. Development often requires familiarity with themes and coding. Functionality-wise, WordPress is scalable and has a rich ecosystem suitable for e-commerce, blogging, and more. While customizable with plugins, user experience can vary based on the quality of themes and plugins chosen. Plug-in updates can cause site issues and downtime.
Contrasting this, Webflow offers a more visually intuitive development process with its design-centric approach. The visual interface reduces the need for heavy coding, making it an attractive option for those less versed in programming. It's a hosted solution, eliminating the need for a separate hosting setup.
Development benefits from real-time design capabilities, streamlining the process. When it comes to third-party plugins, WordPress has many more options (there are currently around 60,000 available on the WordPress Plugin Directory).
This isn’t to say this is a downfall for Webflow. With this WordPress competitor, the idea is to give you everything you need already in the package. So you don’t really need to integrate with add-ons. They have custom apps and browser extensions, none of which have the ability to bring a site down if they’re corrupted, or abused, or defunct (unlike WordPress). This is because those tools are tied to a Webflow Account ID, not to the Website Server - which is how WordPress does it.
Next up on our Webflow vs WordPress comparison for B2B is maintenance. So let’s get straight into how the two compare.
WordPress and Webflow present distinct approaches to website maintenance. WordPress, known for its flexibility, requires manual intervention for updates, potentially leading to compatibility issues. Security responsibilities often fall on the website owner or hosting provider.
In contrast, Webflow offers a more streamlined maintenance experience with automatic updates and backend management, reducing the need for manual tasks. Webflow's hosted solution simplifies processes, making it an attractive option for those who prioritize simplicity and reduce manual intervention. The choice between the two depends on factors such as user preferences, technical comfort, and the desired level of control in the maintenance process.
Navigating the intricacies of SEO is crucial for any online presence, and choosing the right platform plays a pivotal role in this process. In this section, we delve into a comprehensive Webflow vs WordPress SEO comparison, exploring how each platform approaches search engine optimization
SEO Plugins:
Content Control:
Technical SEO:
Built-in SEO Features:
Content Control:
Technical SEO:
WordPress and Webflow diverge in their approaches to SEO, each offering unique advantages. WordPress relies on a variety of SEO plugins like Yoast SEO, providing extensive customization for meta tags and sitemaps. Users have full control over content and can implement comprehensive on-page SEO strategies. However, manual optimization for technical SEO aspects is required.
In contrast, Webflow integrates built-in SEO features, reducing dependence on external plugins. The platform simplifies on-page SEO within its visual interface, offering a streamlined approach to content management. Webflow automates some technical SEO aspects, appealing to users who prefer a more hands-off approach to optimization. The choice between the two ultimately depends on user preferences for customization, technical involvement, and the importance of a visual interface in SEO strategies.
This next section aims to shed light on the communal landscapes that accompany these popular web development platforms.
Community Size:
Third-Party Services:
Diversity of Users:
Community Size:
Third-Party Services:
Diversity of Users:
WordPress and Webflow differ significantly in the size, nature, and focus of their communities. WordPress boasts a massive and mature global community with a diverse user base, extensive documentation, and a rich ecosystem of third-party services. It caters to a broad spectrum of users, from bloggers to large enterprises, and hosts numerous events worldwide.
In contrast, Webflow's community is growing, with a focus on designers, agencies, and creative professionals. While smaller than WordPress, Webflow's community is dynamic and aligns with its startup ideals and is a young company with more accessible community managers. The decision between the two platforms may depend on the user's preference for the size and nature of the community, as well as the specific expertise available within each ecosystem.
Deciding which web development platform is the best choice for your B2B in 2024 involves weighing up the pros and cons of both.
At the onset, the allure of a cheaper and simpler platform draws many B2B brands towards WordPress. However, as brands mature, they often encounter the limitations and frustrations associated with this choice.
This is where Webflow emerges as a more robust alternative, offering a spectrum of options, benefits, and robust community support. At Steel Croissant, we’re team Webflow all the way. We have experienced the advantages firsthand, utilizing Webflow for our own site and the majority of our clients' projects.
Recognizing the evolving needs of businesses, we also offer assistance for those seeking to make the switch from WordPress, ensuring a seamless transition to a platform that aligns with their growing requirements and ambitions. Reach out today for a friendly chat about which option we think would be best for your business!
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Webflow and WordPress differ in their approach to website creation. Webflow is a visual development platform that allows users to design and build websites visually without coding, offering a seamless experience for designers. On the other hand, WordPress is a versatile content management system (CMS) known for its extensive plugin ecosystem and flexibility. For B2B websites in 2024, the choice depends on the level of customization and control needed. Webflow suits those who prioritize design aesthetics and ease of use, while WordPress remains a robust option for businesses requiring extensive functionality and scalability.
Webflow empowers users to design and develop websites without coding skills through its intuitive visual interface. Designers can create responsive layouts, visually customize elements, and add interactions seamlessly. Webflow's no-code approach simplifies the website creation process, allowing businesses to iterate quickly and bring their design visions to life without the need for extensive coding knowledge. This feature is especially beneficial for B2B companies that prioritize a polished and visually appealing online presence.
WordPress boasts a vast plugin ecosystem that provides B2B websites with unparalleled flexibility and functionality. With thousands of plugins available, businesses can easily add features such as e-commerce capabilities, customer relationship management (CRM) integration, and advanced analytics. The extensive plugin support ensures that B2B websites built on WordPress can scale and adapt to evolving business needs, making it a preferred choice for those requiring a feature-rich and customizable online platform.
Both Webflow and WordPress offer solid SEO capabilities, but the approach differs. WordPress, with its extensive range of SEO plugins like Yoast SEO, provides a comprehensive toolkit for optimizing content, meta tags, and sitemaps. Webflow, on the other hand, has built-in SEO features and allows users to customize meta information. Choosing the better platform for SEO in 2024 depends on the specific requirements and preferences of the B2B business. WordPress may appeal to those familiar with its SEO plugins, while Webflow suits businesses seeking simplicity and a visually driven approach to SEO optimization.
Both Webflow and WordPress prioritize security, but the maintenance approach differs. Webflow is a fully managed platform, handling updates, backups, and security measures, relieving users of these responsibilities. WordPress, being a self-hosted CMS, requires users to manage updates and security measures or enlist the services of a web hosting provider. For B2B websites in 2024, the choice between Webflow and WordPress in terms of security and maintenance hinges on whether businesses prefer a hands-off, fully managed solution or have the resources to manage these aspects themselves.