Introduction to Webflow CMS: A Definitive Guide for Business Owners

Chances are, you are a business leader researching low-code platforms and asking yourself, “what is Webflow CMS?” You are in luck. This article is a part of our Webflow introduction series and your guide to exploring Webflow CMS, why it’s so popular, and why there is such a huge demand for it.

One of the reasons Webflow CMS is so popular is because of its functionality. It’s user-friendly and doesn’t require extensive knowledge of coding. This one perk makes it quite a good option for business owners, marketing team members, and everyone whose bread and butter depends on generating new customers through their websites.

What is CMS in Webflow? 

Webflow CMS is one of the most practical content management systems available today and a central part of the Webflow ecosystem of tools. The CMS simplifies the process of managing, scaling, and uploading new content for any kind of website.

It’s insanely useful for one simple reason: it eliminates the need for extensive coding expertise, especially for those who don’t want to get their hands dirty with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The traditional way of building a website requires extensive expertise in these famous coding languages. Whereas when you use Webflow CMS, it’s really a matter of drag and drop and a basic level of technical knowledge.

If you’ve ever tried to update content manually, you know how hard it is to do things from scratch. Even if you are a seasoned digital expert dabbling in complex coding algorithms, manually dealing with things is inefficient and not scalable at all. It’s one of these reasons why Webflow CMS finds such relevance today. 

How Is Webflow CMS Different? Benefits of Webflow

The Webflow CMS meaning becomes clearer when you see how it stands out. It has excellent flexibility, and its interface is easy to understand as well as user-friendly. 

The best and most amazing part is that you don’t have to rely on endless plugins. Some of the most famous platforms can easily make you pull your hair out with the simplest solutions requiring third-party add-ons (looking at you, WordPress). Webflow CMS gives you complete control, and you can manage your site your way.

Apart from developers, marketers, designers and content managers can collaborate in Webflow CMS in the Editor mode. For non-technical users, Webflow CMS tutorials such as this Webflow University course are a blessing. You won’t have to set aside time for learning coding from scratch or spend hours in front of the screen.

Let’s review how Webflow makes your life easier with its advanced content management features.

1. Built-in content management system (CMS)

Managing website content is often a nightmare. It’s either too basic or way too complicated. But Webflow CMS features strike that perfect middle ground.

Here’s how it works. Imagine you’re building a blog. With Webflow, you set up what’s called a “collection” for your posts, which are listed as CMS collection items. That’s fancy talk for a reusable structure that keeps everything neat and tidy. Write your content, upload your images, and hit publish — your blog post will be automatically created according to your preset template. Done. No need to fiddle with settings every time you add a new article. 

But it’s not just for blogs. Whether you’re showcasing a portfolio, running an online store, or managing a directory of cat memes, you can set up template-based CMS collections to make your content types easily manageable.

2. A visual-first web design platform

If you’ve ever built a website the old-school way, you know the struggle. There are endless lines of code, constant back-and-forth between your editor and browser, and the sinking feeling when something doesn’t look the way you expected. How Webflow works is by saying, “Hey, let’s skip all that.”

With Webflow, you’re building your site visually, like playing with digital Legos. Drag this, drop that, adjust a little here, tweak a little there, and you’re actually watching your site come to life in real time. No more guesswork, no more trial-and-error. What you see on the screen is what your visitors will see.

And the best part? It’s not just some basic editor for amateurs. Designers love it because they can create insanely detailed and custom layouts without fighting the system.

For developers, it’s a sigh of relief because all that visual magic generates clean, usable code in the background. You’re not stuck with clunky results, and that’s a win for everyone.

3. No coding required (but coding is welcome)

You don’t need to know coding to use Webflow. This alone is a massive confidence booster for anyone who’s ever stared at a screen of HTML and thought, “Yeah…this isn’t for me.”

Webflow gives you all the tools to build a site with zero coding knowledge. Want to move a section? Drag it. Want to add an image? Drop it in. Want to tweak colors and fonts? Here you go. It’s like Canva, but on steroids. Honestly, if you can navigate a smartphone, you can figure this out.

But here’s where it gets even cooler. If you do know how to code (or are willing to learn a little), Webflow doesn’t box you in. You can customize content, export your code, or integrate with other tools.

Read more: The Pros and Cons of Webflow

How Does Webflow CMS Compare to Other CMS Platforms?

There is never the perfect platform. There are definitely going to be better or worse options depending on your business needs. Moreover, there are reasons why so many companies are slow to migrate to newer technologies. However, there are not one or two but dozens of CMS options out there. No wonder when it comes to picking the right CMS, the choices can feel overwhelming.

This section is for you if you have been scratching your head over all these options.

Webflow vs. WordPress

WordPress is a well-known platform that has been around for years. It is open-source, highly customizable, and powers a large portion of the web. Many people turn to WordPress for its flexibility and vast library of plugins. But that same reliance on plugins is often its biggest downside. To add a feature or functionality, you need to install a plugin. Managing multiple plugins can become overwhelming.

Another area where WordPress can feel outdated is visual design. If you want to create or edit content or design visually, you will need external tools like Elementor. This adds another layer of complexity to the process. With Webflow, visual design is integrated into the platform. You can see changes in real time as you make them.

Hosting is another difference. WordPress requires you to choose and manage your own hosting. The quality of hosting varies, and it is one more thing you have to deal with. Webflow includes hosting that is optimized for speed and security, making things easier for users.

WordPress is a good choice if you enjoy technical work and do not mind spending time managing plugins and hosting. But if you prefer simplicity, stability and fewer hassles, Webflow is the better option for a seamless content management system experience.

Webflow vs. Squarespace

Squarespace is a go-to option for people who just want a quick polished website without much fuss. Squarespace is super simple and beginner-friendly, which makes it a hit for small businesses and individuals. Need a portfolio or a basic business site? Squarespace gets the job done.

The templates, while beautiful, don’t offer much wiggle room. If you want a website that screams, “This is 100% me!” you might feel boxed in. That’s where Webflow CMS features shine. With Webflow, you’re not tied to a template. You can start from scratch, build exactly what’s in your head, and create something truly unique. No compromises.

Another area where Webflow pulls ahead is handling dynamic content. Squarespace does okay with static websites, but if you’re managing something like a blog, portfolio or growing collection of content, it can feel restrictive. With Webflow CMS you can build both dynamic content as collection pages and static pages, which is the secret sauce to keeping your content varied and organized. In addition, Webflow CMS is built for growth. Whether you’re running a small blog or scaling up to a massive lead generation venture, Webflow offers unmatched scalability and versatility.

If you’re looking for a simple, no-frills website and don’t mind sticking to pre-made designs, Squarespace is great. But if you crave flexibility, customization and room to expand, Webflow is in a whole different league.

Webflow vs. Wix

Now, let’s talk about Wix. It’s another crowd favorite for beginners. Like Squarespace, it offers a drag-and-drop interface that’s easy to figure out, even if you’ve never built a website before. Wix is perfect for small, basic websites. That is something you can set up quickly and with minimal hassle.

If you’re aiming for something more ambitious, Wix starts to show its cracks. Its customization options are decent but not groundbreaking. You can drag and drop elements, sure, but there’s only so much you can do. Want a design that breaks the mold? Webflow lets you take complete control with tools like CMS collections, collection pages and granular content control.

In terms of SEO, Wix has come a long way in this department, but Webflow still has the edge. From fully customizable metadata to automatically generated sitemaps, Webflow is practically handing you the tools to climb those search engine rankings.

Scaling is another challenge with Wix. It’s great for small sites, but as your needs grow, you might feel boxed in. Webflow is built to handle growth, whether it’s a personal project or a full-blown business website with dynamic content.

In short, Wix is perfect if you want a quick and simple website solution. But if you’re dreaming big and need a site that evolves with you, Webflow is the better choice.

Webflow vs. Shopify

Shopify is the e-commerce king, no doubt about it. If your sole focus is selling products, Shopify is hard to beat. It’s loaded with tools for inventory management, payment processing, and shipping. It’s basically everything you need to run an online store.

But here’s the catch: Shopify is pretty laser-focused on e-commerce. With Webflow, you can have the best of both worlds. You can build a fully functional store and mix in other features like blogs, galleries, or whatever your heart desires.

Another win for Webflow is design freedom. Shopify themes are solid, but they can feel a bit cookie-cutter unless you heavily customize them. Webflow, on the other hand, hands you the keys to the car. Want a store that perfectly reflects your brand? Go for it.

So, here’s the breakdown. If all you need is an online store, Shopify is fantastic. But if you’re looking for an e-commerce site that’s part of a bigger picture, Webflow gives you the flexibility to do it all. With Webflow, you not only gain the ability to create but also scale your website with a robust content management system.

Get a professional CMS for your growing business needs

Partner with Foursets to take your content operations up a notch with Webflow CMS. Book your free consultation to see how it can take the stress out of your website content management. 

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a total beginner, a designer working hand in hand with devs, or a business owner ready to scale, Webflow has your back. It’s easy to use, quite flexible, and packed with features that make it stand out from the crowd. If you’ve ever felt held back by the limitations of other platforms, Webflow is the fresh start you’ve been waiting for.

FAQ

What’s the difference between Webflow Basic and Webflow CMS?

Webflow Basic is a pricing plan that’s great for simple, static websites. Webflow CMS is a step-up letting you manage dynamic content, like blogs, product catalogs, or portfolios that grow and change over time.

Is Webflow a CMS or a website builder?

It’s both! Webflow combines a website builder with powerful CMS capabilities. This means you can design visually while managing dynamic content, all in one platform with no extra plugins or tools needed.

What are CMS items in Webflow?

CMS items are found within CMS collections and represent each page built according to your preset template. It’s like having a content database where each CMS item is your data entry. You can further navigate to customizable CMS fields where you can add content. 

Can Webflow handle e-commerce?

Yes, Webflow supports e-commerce. You can set up an online store, manage products, and process payments all within the platform. While it may not have every advanced feature Shopify offers, it’s a fantastic option for small to large-sized stores.

Is Webflow suitable for beginners?

Absolutely! It’s beginner-friendly, especially if you’re more comfortable with visual design than coding. There’s a slight learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it’s smooth sailing.

Does Webflow require coding knowledge?

Nope! You can create amazing websites without ever touching a line of code. However, coding does help massively to implement advanced customizations.

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