Unpacking our Webflow knowledge
First things first, does Webflow require coding?
Here is the answer:
Proficiency in basic coding languages—HTML, CSS, and JavaScript—is needed for Webflow development when people want to create a robust, conversion-oriented website.
This is often the case when businesses hire a Webflow agency to streamline their projects.
However, for beginners, it’s enough to take advantage of Webflow’s drag-and-drop capabilities to create simple websites.
Now, let’s see how Webflow actually works.
How Does Webflow Work
With the Webflow website builder, developers can rapidly create websites with minimal or no coding required.
Marketing teams, on the other hand, can effortlessly create, edit, and publish content without writing any code.
As the Webflow team explains, "Webflow is a visual way to build the web." In other words, the code is automatically generated.
For more technical users, Webflow offers the option to insert custom code, allowing for advanced customization and functionality.
This amount of flexibility that Webflow offers potentially leads to higher income through unique selling propositions or enhanced user experiences.
What is Webflow used for
Webflow platform is used to build simple and robust websites (e.g., conversion-oriented).
Here are some of its main functionalities.
Webflow Editor
If you need to update or add content, Editor is there for you.
It allows you or Workspace members to manage content easily and publish changes in two following ways:
- Edit the content directly on the website page through Webflow
2. Manage pages and content through the Editor panel
The best part is that you can invite your clients to manage their site.
But remember that you cannot use code.
You can access the Webflow Editor after publishing your site (either to the webflow.io staging subdomain, custom domain, or a custom staging domain. The Webflow University
Learn how to access the Editor here.
Webflow CMS
Webflow is one of the best CMS platforms for managing content and implementing customizable user roles.
The function of Webflow CMS is to manage and deliver web content.
So, is Webflow CMS worth it?
Yes, especially because it offers unlimited customization since you can use code to make your own changes. Plus, you can add plug-ins or add-ons for unlimited functionality.
Some CMS platforms, such as Squarespace and Wix, are easy to learn, but restrict your control over the design.
Webflow Designer
To fully grasp the Webflow Designer, it's important to first understand the Webflow Editor, which is focused solely on managing website content.
On the other hand, the Webflow Designer allows you to design your website and add the following:
- structure
- content
- interactions
- animations
- custom code
You can easily manipulate HTML and set CSS properties.
The Designer generates clean code that browsers use to display your Webflow website.
How Does Webflow CMS Work
A Content Management System (CMS) in Webflow allows you to store and manage dynamic content.
The CMS feature allows users to easily manage and update website content, including:
- blog posts
- news articles
- product listing
A robust CMS is vital for keeping website content fresh and engaging, which can improve:
- search engine rankings
- potential revenue opportunities
- and more…
Start using CMS by creating a Collection (i.e., a database for maintaining and referencing content across your Webflow site).
Each Collection holds a specific type of content, like blog posts or topic types.
Within a Collection, individual entries are called Collection items (e.g., each blog post in a “Blog posts” Collection is a Collection item).
Here is how it looks:
When setting up a Collection, you define the structure for each item.
For example, in a “Blog” collection, you might include fields for title, meta description, categories and more.
You can update or delete these fields and their content anytime.
Can beginners use Webflow?
Yes, Webflow is an ideal website development tool for beginners. But deploying its full capabilities requires a steep learning curve.
Being the best drag-and-drop builder, Webflow offers extensive customization options for experienced web developers.
That being said, beginners can use Webflow to build simple sites that don’t require technical knowledge.
Finally—Is Webflow free?
Yes, 3 types of free Webflow plans are as follows:
- Standard for hobby and staging sites (site plans)
- Starter for individual designers (for in-house teams)
- Starter for those getting started and learning Webflow (for freelancers and agencies).
Choose the one that fits your needs (in case you’re not aiming for ambitious goals with your business).
Conclusion
We’ve seen that Webflow offers versatile capabilities for building and managing websites, whether you’re a seasoned developer or a beginner.
For developers seeking advanced customization, Webflow provides the flexibility to manipulate HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, allowing for a robust and conversion-oriented website.
Meanwhile, beginners can leverage its intuitive drag-and-drop interface to create functional websites without any coding skills.
The Webflow Designer and Editor streamline the creation and management of your site. The Designer enables detailed design and functionality, while the Editor focuses on easy content management.
Webflow's CMS further enhances your ability to efficiently organize and update dynamic content.In summary, whether you're aiming to create a simple site or a complex, high-performing website, Webflow provides the tools you need to succeed.
