Webflow and Wix might seem like convenient website creation tools at first glance, but they come with hidden costs and limitations that can catch you off guard.
It’s easy to get swept up by the perks of these user-friendly options like Webflow. They promise sleek, drag-and-drop interfaces and quick setup.
But before you dive in, it’s worth considering what you might be giving up, especially when it comes to flexibility, costs, and control.
The Pitfalls of Webflow and Wix
The following scenario is not uncommon if you’re a user of Webflow: You’re running a growing website and suddenly get hit with a message saying you’ve exceeded your bandwidth limits—by a lot.
That’s exactly what happened recently when a Webflow user found themselves facing a whopping $15,000 annual fee, a major jump from their previous $468 plan.
Unfortunately, migrating a website from Webflow (or other similar platforms) to another platform isn’t a simple transfer. Users must manually copy all content, essentially starting a new website from the ground up.
Being faced with a situation like this meant this user had only one week to decide what to do: cough up the extra cash, which was no small change, or go through the strain of migration.
This kind of unpredictability in pricing can be a major headache for any site owner, especially as it puts you at unexpected crossroads that can affect your budget.
There’s also Wix, which isn’t without its own quirks. While it’s great for setting up a site quickly, it often comes with restrictions that can be frustrating. You might find yourself limited in how much you can customise your site or face unexpected costs as your site grows.
These limitations can turn what seemed like a simple, cost-effective solution into a bit of a wild card.
WordPress is the Better Option!
Here’s why WordPress, especially with custom web development, often comes out on top:
Complete Design Freedom
Let’s say you have a unique idea for your website. It could be a specific layout, a one-of-a-kind feature, or a custom interactive element. On platforms like Webflow and Wix, you might find yourself hitting walls due to their limitations.
These platforms have their own set of templates and features that can be difficult to modify beyond their original design. These different templates offer you some level of flexibility, but still, you’re working within a closed system that dictates what you can and cannot do.
With WordPress, however, you’re working with a tool that’s as flexible as you need it to be. Since WordPress is open-source, it allows developers to dive into the code and tweak things to their exact specifications.
Whether it’s a custom-built plugin, a unique theme, or a bespoke functionality that you want, WordPress gives you all the tools and accessories to make it happen. You’re not bound by preset limitations but are free to create a site that truly stands out.
Scalable and Cost-effective
With WordPress, you can pick a hosting provider that suits your needs, including plans with unlimited bandwidth. This means as your traffic grows, your costs won’t skyrocket unexpectedly.
You won’t have to worry about paying more just because more people are visiting your site. This kind of scalability is something that proprietary platforms like Webflow struggle to match.
Full Control and Ownership
When you use WordPress, you own your data. This means you have complete control over your content, user information, and overall website management. If you ever decide to switch hosting providers, you can easily transfer your website data without any hassle.
You will not have this level of control if you use Wix or Webflow where you’re tied to their ecosystems and might face difficulties if you need to migrate your site.
Furthermore, migration in WordPress is a pretty straightforward process.You have access to many different plugins and tools that can help you move your site between hosts with little to no downtime.
Now, since Wix and Webflow are proprietary, moving your site to a new provider may involve complex processes or limitations, making it harder to manage your site’s future.
Independence from Single Companies
WordPress is open source. It benefits from a large, active community of developers and users. This means that you are not at the mercy of a single company’s business decisions or financial stability. Instead, you get to benefit from a platform that’s built and supported by a diverse group of contributors, all looking to protect your interests.
This is a significant advantage over proprietary platforms like Webflow and Wix, which can introduce sudden changes or price hikes that affect your site.
If Webflow or Wix decides to alter their pricing structure or change their terms of service, you could be left scrambling to adapt, like the Twitter user in the screenshot above.
Better SEO
First off, WordPress is built with (Search Engine Optimisation) SEO in mind from the ground up. Its structure is incredibly search-engine friendly, making it easier for search engines to crawl and index your site.
You can easily tweak your URLs to include keywords, helping search engines understand what your pages are about. Webflow and Wix, on the other hand, can be a bit rigid when it comes to URL customization, which can put a damper on your SEO efforts.
One of the standout features of WordPress is its range of SEO plugins, like Yoast SEO and All in One SEO Pack. These plugins give you tips on how to improve your titles, meta descriptions, and keyword use in real time.
They also whip up XML sitemaps for you, which helps search engines navigate your site. Webflow and Wix might offer some SEO tools, but they often don’t match the depth and ease of what WordPress provides.
Also, WordPress themes are usually responsive, meaning they look great on mobile devices. Since Google loves mobile-friendly sites, this gives WordPress an edge.
Webflow and Wix do have responsive designs, but they might not be as adaptable, which could affect how well your site performs on mobile.
Wrapping Up
Before you commit to a platform, take a moment to think about how it will impact your long-term goals.
Simply put: Webflow and Wix have their own perks, however, WordPress makes website creation and management more manageable and effective with its flexible features, powerful plugins, and easy content management.
WordPress is a solid choice if you want to ensure your site is well-optimised and ready to rank.
At Netplanet Digital, we specialise in harnessing the full potential of WordPress. Our team of experts can help you build a custom website that not only looks stunning but also performs exceptionally well.
We invite you to book a free consultation with our digital experts to discuss your project. The first step to creating a result-driven website is understanding your exact needs, and we’d do just that in the first consultation.
Book a free 30-minute strategy call to get started.
