Should you use Webflow for your next design project?

As a designer, I’ve seen quite a few applications over the years that claimed to be “no code”. Programs like Adobe Fireworks, DreamWeaver, and Muse all made promises of an easier workflow with no coding required. But these programs were bloated and often behind the times of modern design practices.    

Webflow is another tool that has sprang from the no code movement, and generates clean code as you design with their visual interface.

I come from the world where it’s the norm to have a large development team working together on custom websites. I had my reservations about Webflow being able to speed up this process. But nonetheless I wanted to see what this “no code” tool could do.

It was love at first sight, sort of. Yes, I made some mistakes at the beginning. One blunder was accidentally deleting a static page that held all of my style guides. Duh. I instinctively went to hit command-z. Unfortunately, I already confirmed the deletion of the page. Through some quick research, I found out that Webflow has a built-in feature to restore to a previous backup inside the project settings. So not all was lost - phew!

Pros:

• Webflow’s capabilities to create simple and complex animations is where it shines. You can easily create scroll-based parallax animations and other visual effects with ease.
• Integrations: Webflow links well with other third-party software. This lets you make use of tools like Zapier that streamlines the backend of the business.
• Wordpress: Webflow allows you to use their page builder tool and import the design directly into a Wordpress site using their plug-in. It’s kind of like connecting the sportscar that is Webflow to the sedan that’s Wordpress, and I’m curious how well they’ll function over time. But still, it’s nice to have the ability to do this.
• The user interface is elegant. It’s great working on a platform that’s both modern and user-friendly.
• One of my favorite features is the functionality to copy and paste from other projects.
• Just go to https://webflow.com/discover/cloneable#popular and search for anything that you're trying to build. I was in the need for a custom mega menu that would have taken 40 hours to create. I was able to copy and paste a solution within minutes!
• Another key feature is setting up permissions which  let you give stakeholders access to edit the text or make other changes
  

Cons:

The pricing structure

• They nickel and dime you through the whole process. If you're trying to run a small eCommerce store it's going to be a challenge.
• You have to pay for both site plans and account plans. 

Hosting

• You’re encouraged to use Webflow’s hosting. If you want to host somewhere else, it requires you to export the code.   

Limited plugins

• There aren’t a lot of plugins like what you’ll find with Wordpress and other CRM's. However, you'll be able to find many Webflow integrations that can help streamline your operations.
  

Don't go in thinking you can go right into the application and build a world-class website. Yes, you can create a refined, modern website with minimal effort. But this does take some trial and error. I'd still recommend beginning with traditional tools like Sketch, Figma, and Adobe to buildout certain sections - primarily the homepage of the website.

The role of a designer is shifting. You’re now expected to know code and how to create animations. Throughout my years as a graphic designer, I've seen many people's careers washed away because they never put in the effort to evolve. The time is now to improve your game and up your rates.

Anthony’s Agency plans for moving forward in 2020

We’ll begin the process with a homepage design created with Sketch. We’ll then get feedback from the stakeholders. After design approval, we’ll move into Webflow and create a style guide, and build the rest of the website.

My overall thoughts on Webflow

If you're a startup or a small business and looking for something besides Wordpress. I'd definitely consider using Webflow to build your website.

As a designer, you should become proficient with the application. I believe Webflow is here to stay!