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We've been designing Webflow websites for small businesses for several years. Before Webflow we used Wordpress & Squarespace for all of our client projects. This experience has given us a pretty good understanding of why to choose Webflow over other website platforms.
In this article, I'll share my personal reasons why I believe Webflow is probably the best choice for your small business.
We're going to cover:
- Design flexibility
- Speed to market
- Fast performance
- CMS capabilities
- Security & Reliability
- Scalability
- Custom code capabilities
- Third-party integrations
- Community
- SEO capabilities
1. Design Flexibility
The number one reason we switched all our client projects to Webflow is its unmatched design flexibility. Unlike other platforms we've used before (hint: Squarespace) that used to restrict our creativity as designers.
Webflow empowers designers to create visually stunning websites without needing to write a single line of code. This will result in a stunning website for your business that helps you to stand out from the competition.
2. Speed to Market
We believe that in most cases, you shouldn't have to wait weeks or months for an agency to build a bespoke website for your business.
Webflow allows designers and developers to streamline the web development process, enabling you to launch your site much faster than traditional methods. When we design and build custom Webflow websites for our clients, we typically aim to turn around the whole project in less than four weeks, including revisions.
This rapid speed to market not only saves you valuable time but also ensures you can start attracting customers and generating revenue sooner.
3. Fast Performance
Website speed is critical for both user experience and SEO. Webflow’s hosting infrastructure is designed for speed, ensuring your website loads quickly and efficiently straight out of the box.
We always found this harder to achieve with self-hosted WordPress solutions.
Webflow utilises features like global CDN, automatic image optimisation, and advanced caching. This guarantees lightning-fast performance that enhances the overall experience of your website.
4. CMS Capabilities
Webflow's built-in Content Management System (CMS) makes content management easy to manage.
You can easily set up dynamic content such as blogs, portfolios, and product listings without the need for additional plugins or complex setups. The CMS is highly customisable, allowing you to structure content in a way that best suits your business needs.
The Webflow CMS interface is user-friendly and, in our experience, cleaner to work with compared to other website platforms.
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5. Security & Reliability
Security is a top priority for any business website, and Webflow takes this seriously. With SSL certification, regular backups, and a robust AWS infrastructure, Webflow ensures your website is secure and reliable
In the past, when we used self-hosted solutions for our clients, we had to manually install and configure security features, which was time-consuming and prone to errors. Unlike those self-hosted solutions that required constant monitoring and manual updates, Webflow handles all the security aspects for you. This means you can focus on your business without worrying about potential vulnerabilities or downtime.
In our experience, Webflow’s security and reliability are far superior to many other platforms, providing peace of mind and consistent performance.
6. Scalability
As your business grows, your website needs to scale with it. With Webflow, it's easy to add new pages, features, and integrations as needed. You can ask your developer to do this, or handle it yourself without too much effort.
Unlike traditional platforms that may require extensive reworking to handle increased traffic or additional functionality, Webflow is built to accommodate expansion. We’ve worked with clients who started with a small website and, over time, expanded it into a comprehensive online presence with multiple sections and complex features—all without facing scalability issues.
This flexibility ensures that your website can evolve alongside your business, meeting new demands and opportunities with ease.
7. Custom Code Capabilities
Webflow offers the ability for developers to add custom code, allowing us to take your website beyond the limitations of the visual editor. This feature is particularly beneficial when you need to implement specific functionalities or design elements that aren't available out of the box. You can add custom HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to enhance your site's interactivity and uniqueness.
When we used to work with Squarespace, we often found it restrictive. Implementing custom features required cumbersome workarounds, and we frequently hit roadblocks due to the platform's limitations. With Webflow, we can leverage custom JavaScript libraries like GSAP and Barba.js to produce agency-level experiences. I remember when one of our old clients needed a custom booking system integrated directly into their website. In Squarespace, which is the platform we used at the time, this was a complex and limiting process. However, with Webflow, we can seamlessly integrate the booking system using custom code, providing the client with a tailored solution that perfectly met their needs.
8 Third-Party Integrations
Webflow excels in integrating seamlessly with a variety of third-party tools and services, allowing you to extend the functionality of your website without paying thousands for complex development work. Whether you need marketing automation, CRM systems, analytics tools, or e-commerce solutions, Webflow's flexibility facilitates smooth integration.
In the past, working with other platforms like WordPress or Squarespace, we often encountered challenges when trying to integrate third-party services. These platforms sometimes required complex configurations or additional plugins, which could lead to compatibility issues, added maintenance and security vulnerabilities.
With Webflow, the integration process is much more straightforward. For example, we recently worked with a client who needed to integrate their website with Mailchimp for email marketing, HubSpot for CRM, and Google Analytics for tracking performance. Using Webflow, we were able to seamlessly connect all these services, ensuring that our client had a cohesive and efficient workflow without any of the usual headaches.
Webflow's ease of integration with third-party tools not only enhances your website's capabilities but also streamlines your business operations, allowing you to focus on what matters most: growing your business.
9. Webflow Community
Webflow has a vibrant and supportive community. As a Webflow user, you gain access to a wealth of resources, including forums, tutorials, and expert advice. The Webflow community is filled with designers, developers, and business owners who are eager to share their knowledge and help each other succeed.
This collaborative environment means you’re never alone when facing a challenge or looking for inspiration. In our experience, the Webflow community has been invaluable, providing us with insights and solutions that enhance our projects. Whether you’re looking for tips on best practices, troubleshooting advice, or creative ideas, the Webflow community is an excellent resource that fosters continuous learning and innovation.
10. SEO Capabilities
Webflow is designed with SEO in mind, providing all the tools you need to optimise your site for search engines effectively. From the start, Webflow ensures clean and semantic code, which is crucial for search engine crawlers. It also allows you to easily customise meta titles, descriptions, and alt text for images, ensuring each page is fully optimised.
One of the standout features is the built-in SEO settings, which include automatic generation of sitemaps and the ability to set up 301 redirects effortlessly. In our previous experiences with platforms like WordPress, achieving the same level of SEO optimisation often required multiple plugins and manual adjustments, which could be cumbersome and error-prone.
With Webflow, the process is streamlined and integrated into the platform, making it simpler to manage. For instance, we recently helped a client improve their search engine rankings by utilising Webflow’s robust SEO tools, resulting in a significant increase in organic traffic and visibility.
Webflow’s comprehensive SEO capabilities ensure that your website not only looks great but also performs excellently in search engine results, driving more traffic and potential customers to your business.
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Read more advice about how to leverage your website for business growth on our blog
