Let's be real – there's a lot of noise out there about website platforms. You've probably seen the glossy marketing, the breathless testimonials, and maybe even those suspiciously perfect before-and-after case studies.
I'm not here to add to that noise. After building over 50 websites on Webflow (and fixing plenty of broken ones from other platforms), I've developed some, shall we say, strong opinions about when Webflow shines and when it makes me want to throw my computer out the window.
At Bloomr Design, we specialize in Webflow website development, but I promise you this: I'm not here to tell you it's perfect for every situation. That would be BS, and we both know it.
In this no-nonsense guide, I'll walk you through:
So grab a coffee (or something stronger), and let's cut through the marketing fluff to figure out if what is Webflow actually aligns with what you need.
Before I dive into the good, the bad, and the occasionally ugly, let's make sure we're on the same page about what is Webflow.
At its core, Webflow is like the love child of Photoshop and a code editor – it lets you build visually (like you would in a design tool) but creates real, production-ready code behind the scenes. You get to:
It sits in this interesting middle ground – more powerful than your basic drag-and-drop website builders, but more accessible than traditional hand-coding.
Now, let's get into the juicy stuff – what's awesome and what's... less awesome.
Design Freedom That Actually Feels... Free
Look, I've used pretty much everything out there. And let me tell you – the feeling of designing in Webflow compared to fighting with templates in other platforms is like the difference between driving a sports car and pushing a shopping cart with a wobbly wheel.
With Webflow, you can:
I still remember the first time I built something complex in Webflow without having to compromise on the design. It was a religious experience. If you're coming from Figma to Webflow, that feeling is even more pronounced.
The Content Management System in Webflow is a thing of beauty, especially if you've spent years fighting with alternatives:
I've built everything from real estate listings to recipe collections, and the flexibility still impresses me. For many of our website development for small business clients, this alone is worth the price of admission.
I'm going to say something controversial: I don't miss the days of troubleshooting server issues at 2 AM. Shocking, I know.
Webflow's hosting is:
Is it perfect? No. Is it good enough that I don't think about it? Absolutely. And for someone who's dealt with bargain-bin hosting nightmares, that's saying something.
Maybe my favorite Webflow benefit? The maintenance burden is basically zero:
I used to dread Mondays because inevitably, something broke over the weekend. That just doesn't happen with Webflow sites. For a small agency or freelancer, this time savings is absolutely massive.
As someone who started as a developer, I care about code quality. And let me tell you, the code Webflow generates is shockingly... not terrible:
Compare this to the code soup that some website builders generate, and it's like comparing a gourmet meal to gas station sushi.
Now for the not-so-fun part. Let's talk about where Webflow falls short – and sometimes, falls flat on its face.
The Learning Curve Is More Like a Learning Cliff
I'm not going to sugarcoat it – Webflow has a learning curve that's more like a learning wall with occasional handholds:
I still remember my first Webflow project. I felt like I'd never used a computer before. Even now, training new team members involves a lot of "it's okay to feel overwhelmed" pep talks.
The Price Tag Makes Some Clients Choke
Webflow isn't cheap, and there's no way around that:
When comparing webflow vs wix or even webflow vs wordpress on pure hosting costs, Webflow is objectively more expensive. For many small businesses, this is a legitimate concern, not just cheapness. We explore this in detail in our webflow cost guide.
Some Features Are Still Half-Baked
For all its strengths, some parts of Webflow still feel like they're in beta:
I've had to look clients in the eye and say, "We need to use a different tool for this part" more times than I'd like to admit.
The Client Editing Experience Can Be... Awkward
The Editor interface provided to clients sometimes feels like an afterthought:
I've literally had clients ask, "Is this it?" after showing them the Editor. Not always a confidence-inspiring moment.
What are the limitations of Webflow?
Let me be brutally honest about where Webflow falls short:
These limitations won't matter for many webflow websites, but when they do, they're not minor inconveniences – they're roadblocks.
Here's my framework for deciding if is Webflow good value:
Webflow makes financial sense when:
It's probably NOT worth it when:
I've had clients balk at Webflow's cost only to come back six months later after their "cheaper" solution turned into a money pit of fixes and limitations. The sticker price doesn't tell the whole story.
After building everything from simple brochure sites to complex web platforms, here's my honest take:
Use Webflow when:
Our Webflow Websites for Small Businesses guide explores these scenarios in depth.
Don't use Webflow when:
The Website planning guide we created can help you think through these considerations for your specific situation.
Beyond the major limitations, there are some everyday frustrations:
These aren't deal-breakers, but they're the little things that occasionally make me mutter under my breath.
"Better" is always relative to what you need:
When evaluating is Webflow a good website builder for a specific project, I'm always thinking about these trade-offs. I've turned down Webflow projects when I knew another platform would serve the client better.
This question comes up constantly, and it shows a fundamental misunderstanding:
It's like asking "Should I use a blueprint or a hammer?" They're different tools for different stages of the process.
The magic happens when you use them together: design in Figma, then build in Webflow. Our Figma to Webflow guide breaks down this workflow in detail.
I'm going to be direct: if someone tells you Webflow is bad for SEO, they either don't understand SEO or don't understand Webflow (or both).
Webflow creates:
I've achieved first-page rankings for competitive terms with Webflow sites. The platform itself is excellent for SEO – though as with any tool, you still need to know what you're doing.
Recommended Templates: "Made in Webflow"
If you're curious about Webflow but not ready to commit, their free templates and the"Made in webflow" community is worth exploring.
You can find out more on Made in Webflow after creating an account.
After building dozens of sites across nearly every platform out there, here's my honest take on where Webflow fits:
It's the right choice when:
It's probably wrong when:
The sweet spot is that middle ground: businesses that need something better than template sites but more accessible than custom development. We explore this "just right" zone further in our Custom vs Template Website guide.
Not sure where your project falls? I'd be happy to give you my unfiltered opinion – no sales pitch, just practical advice based on what I've seen work (and fail) in the real world.
For more details about Webflow's specific features, you can also check out webflow.com directly.
Here at Bloomr Design, we offer custom web design and development services by creating affordable web design for small business or custom webflow websites just like yours every day.
Why not drop us a line? Reach out to schedule a free consultation today and learn more about our web design services!
