When you’re running your own business and launching a new idea on the world, the idea of building your own website to save a couple of bucks can seem very attractive — especially given the rise of popular website builders like Squarespace and Wix.
BUT — and it’s a pretty big but, folks! (See what we did there?)
Statistics show that it only takes 0.05 seconds for someone to make a snap judgment about your business and how trustworthy you are from your website. Is that because they’re a speed-reader and have carefully evaluated every bit of painstakingly crafted prose that you’ve sunk your heart and soul into?
No.
They’ve done it based on what it looks like. They have, very literally, judged your book by its cover. It's said that you should never do that, of course, but in a world full of options and a Search Engine Results Page (SERP) chock full of other websites just waiting to take the place of a poorly designed one, it pays to make sure that yours is measuring up to the competition.
Now, if you’re not a particularly design-savvy, or technically proficient website maven, then the idea of having a website designed by someone who speaks fluently in complex code can seem daunting. Which is why we here at Flying Saucer are huge fans of Content Management Systems (CMSs).
WordPress has been a juggernaut in the CMS market for a long time for some very good reasons, but there’s a new player on the scene in the form of Webflow that we’re pretty enamored with. Both of them are worthy options for your back-end, offering equal opportunities to provide feature-rich website experiences.
Why choose one over the other? Let’s dig in.
WordPress: The Versatile Veteran
WordPress's vast ecosystem and flexibility have made it a staple for a wide variety of websites. Its open-source nature and extensive support community continue to be significant advantages.
Here’s our Pro/Con list:
Pros:
- Plugin Ecosystem:
WordPress's extensive range of plugins enables users to add almost any functionality to their site.
- Supportive Community:
A vast and active community offers a wealth of resources, making it easier to find solutions and innovations.
- Theme Diversity:
With thousands of themes available, users can easily find a design that matches their brand identity.
- Powerful CMS:
WordPress's robust content management capabilities make it ideal for content-heavy sites, offering excellent scalability and organization.
Cons:
It’s interesting to note that one of the things that makes the Pros list for WordPress is also present in the Cons list! Check it out:
- Security
Because WordPress is an open-source, PHP-based platform, they have an entire team devoted to exposing and fixing security issues that arise in the code that is core to the platform. That sounds great, right? It is! But only if you’re very consistent about checking to make sure that your site is running the most up to date version that includes those crucial security patches.
Additionally, recent reports indicated that the beloved plugins mentioned above represent a pretty gnarly security risk — with 75% of known WordPress security vulnerabilities in their database coming from WordPress plugins. A couple of other notes on plugins: they need to be kept up to date too! They also tend to bloat the code on your website making it less straightforward to edit.
- It can be tough to use.
Again — the open-source nature of WordPress provides a flexibility that you’re going to love, but not all plugins play well with one another and not all plugins work with every theme that’s available in WordPress. It’s a total pain when you fall in love with a Theme but realize that a core functionality that you need for your website can’t be done the way you thought it would be because the plugin isn’t compatible, or messes about with the core design of the site.
- Support can be hard to come by.
WordPress support is mostly driven by the massive community that they’ve built over time. On the one hand, the fact that there are so many people using WordPress that they’ve amassed such a huge community speaks to the quality of the product and the experience — they use it for a reason! On the other hand, it can take a little while to get the help you need if you’re dependent on the WordPress Community Hive Mind to give you the answer you’re looking for.
Webflow: A New Era of Web Design and Collaboration
As a graduate of the Y Combinator class of summer 2013, this company exploded onto the dynamic site builder scene. With major companies like Dell jumping on the Webflow bandwagon to cut down on the back-and-forth between the UX design and development teams, others have been sure to follow - and follow they did! Zendesk, Adobe, Yelp, CBS, and MTV are all using Webflow to up their design game. Webflow has redefined the landscape of web design, offering a sophisticated blend of design flexibility, advanced features, and an intuitive interface. Its latest enhancements have solidified its appeal to a broad spectrum of users.
Let’s look at why:
Pros:
- Quick to develop
Webflow allows even the least technically experienced person to speak the language of developers — which means that anyone you pay to do the development will have a much easier job. We’d be surprised if this didn’t translate into at least a little bit of cost savings!
- Easy to maintain
With no need to continually update to the latest version, and no plugins needed — Webflow makes your website an absolute cinch to keep in prime fighting shape. Add to that the fact that you’ll never have to do any server maintenance, and we’re not sure how much easier it can get!
- FAST!
Because Webflow has over 100 datacenters and servers worldwide— facilitated by a global content distribution network — your website will load at lightning speed. Not to mention that Webflow boasts a 99.99% up-time statistic which represents some enterprise-grade reliability.
This can be pretty crucial when you take into consideration that even a one-second delay in page loading translates to an 11% decrease in page views, decreases customer satisfaction by 16% — and perhaps most importantly, it can take a serious bite out of your conversion rate. 7%!
Page loading time has also been highly correlated with bounce rate; a 1-3 second increase in page loading time can see your bounce rate increase by 32%. When Search Engines are using bounce rate to establish how useful your website is to your users — and therefore how high on the SERP it’s going to appear, this can be a costly factor.
Plus, you get all of that speed and the peace of mind that you’re never going to have to do server maintenance. That’s a win-win if we’ve ever heard one.
- Multilingual Support:
Webflow's inclusion of built-in multilingual features opens up vast possibilities for creating content that resonates with a global audience, eliminating the need for external plugins.
- Simultaneous Multi-User Editing:
The introduction of multi-user editing in Webflow facilitates real-time collaboration, allowing teams to work together efficiently, enhancing productivity and streamlining workflows.
- Advanced Components and CMS:
Continuous updates to Webflow's components and CMS functionalities empower users to create dynamic, interactive websites that cater to complex needs, without requiring extensive coding knowledge.
- Design Flexibility and Customization:
The platform's visual editor enables deep customization, allowing designers to realize their visions with unparalleled freedom.
- Optimized Performance and Security:
Webflow provides free SSL certificates for all hosted websites and the Content Distribution Network serves the content from multiple locations while also providing an extra layer to the network. Think of it a little bit like insulation! Not to mention the fact that there is no need for plugins which could be poorly made and insecure.
Leveraging a global CDN, Webflow ensures fast loading times and high reliability, while its architecture minimizes security risks, a common concern with third-party plugins.
Cons:
- Learning Curve:
Webflow's comprehensive features come with a learning curve, especially for those new to web design or transitioning from other platforms. However, Flying Saucer Studio, a collective of digital experts, mitigates this through extensive resources and tutorials, ensuring clients are well-equipped to manage their sites effectively.
Making the Right Choice
Choosing between Webflow and WordPress depends on specific project needs, design preferences, and technical proficiency. Webflow's recent updates make it an attractive choice for those prioritizing design innovation, collaborative workflows, and security without reliance on plugins. WordPress remains a compelling option for its adaptability, extensive plugin ecosystem, and strong CMS capabilities.
Flying Saucer Studio stands out as a collective, not just for its expertise in digital solutions, but also for its commitment to empowering clients. Through comprehensive tutorials and support, Flying Saucer Studio ensures a smooth transition and effective management of your digital presence, particularly for those navigating Webflow's learning curve.
As the web design landscape continues to evolve, staying informed and adaptable is key. Leveraging the strengths of platforms like Webflow and WordPress with the guidance of collectives like Flying Saucer Studio can unlock new potentials in the digital space, fostering growth and engagement.
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