Website Build or Refresh: Webflow vs WordPress
Ready to build or refresh your brand’s website? With a variety of CMS platforms to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know what to pick. From Webflow and WordPress to Squarespace and Shopify, the list is endless. Each platform has strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to consider what best suits your business’s needs.
At Studio Blackardt, the two main CMS platforms we recommend for a web build or refresh are Webflow and WordPress, with both options being great for service-based businesses (Shopify is a great option for eCommerce businesses).
Whilst both are great platforms for various reasons, we feel there are a few unique benefits we should highlight.
The Webflow Argument
Webflow’s CMS is custom-made for the website, so there isn’t a necessity to use plugins to try and create a ‘close-enough’ solution. The platform allows us to build a fully customisable website and an easy-to-edit CMS.
The platform enables us to build custom animations and interactions to help expand and roll out your branding. The interactions and animations have now become industry-leading, with advanced solutions and features being created.
The all-in-one platform enables a streamlined development process, advanced security and SEO capabilities, without the need for an extra plugin.
Additionally, Webflow offers customer support and continuous product improvements, making it a huge hit for web developers and designers.
The WordPress Debate
WordPress is the most commonly used CMS platform, with easy, simple-to-implement themes, making it straightforward for brands to build their website on the platform. Once built, WordPress is intuitive to use and easy to edit, especially with something like Elementor installed.
It gives you access to thousands of plugins for customisation, including SEO, which makes it an incredibly easy-to-use platform for staff, marketers and admins, especially when it comes to adding content to the site.
WordPress is an open-source platform and can be more affordable with up-front costs (however, the more plugins you add, the higher the cost).
In a nutshell, here’s what to consider:
Is the platform fully customisable?
How do you want your website to look? Are you satisfied with a simple website or would you like something that stands out? Do you need custom animations and interactions?
Is the CMS easy to edit?
Can your team jump in and edit content, or does this need to be managed by your marketing agency?
What purpose does your website need to serve?
Do you just need a landing page with key business contact information, or do you need a highly-customised website with multiple pages, blogs, forms and accessibility tools?
What’s the overall cost?
This will be a business consideration, but our team can give you a full run-down on costs associated with the website build and design process and upkeep.
What security features does the platform offer?
An increase in cyber security risks means this needs to be a key consideration.
What kind of customer support does the platform offer?
If there is an issue, can your team or marketing agency get in touch with representatives to resolve the issue quickly and easily?
Our Hot Take
From a web developer perspective, we love Webflow. With this platform, we are able to expand on your brand with a fully customisable website and industry-leading motion graphics and interactions to help you stand out online.
If you’re looking to be able to easily upload and update content yourself, WordPress is a great option. The expansive range of plugins makes it easy to manage yourself once it has been built, and the interface is easy to navigate.
Which CMS platform you choose is dependent on how you want your website to perform, the level of customisation you would like and the actions you want people to take.
The Studio Blackardt Web Development Process
Before we begin any web build or refresh project, our team will conduct a ‘discovery meeting’, where we learn all about your business, what you want from your website and how you want your customers/clients to interact with your website.
Looking for web build or refresh services? Our agency offers intuitive and innovative design, with consideration for user experience, accessibility and SEO best practices. Contact Studio Blackardt for a no-strings-attached discussion today.
