Webflow broke new grounds with its hybrid features when it first appeared on the market. The ability to integrate the designer and visual coding into one seemed like a fair offer to many web developers.
However, Webflow has a steep level of learning before you can even run the platform.
Fortunately, Webflow is not the only provider that creates the business website you want.
Easier, simpler, far more efficient, and far more applicable, read on as we discuss three major Webflow alternatives and elaborate on their pros, cons, and neat features that make each a better Webflow alternative.
Duda as an alternative to Webflow:
You might it very interesting, but Duda has progressed quite a lot during the last year or two. Considering only they have the best performance, compared to all other Website Builders.
Website speed is one of the most important factors. Duda has progressed and created an impressive list of new features, agencies benefits, SEO features, and much more.
Squarespace as an alternative to Webflow
Squarespace is one of the best Webflow alternatives when it comes to overall performance, and sometimes, even better solutions. Webflow comes with a complex platform learning obstacle, whereas Squarespace is much easier to manage.
Squarespace uses simplified language, designed for beginner-level users whereas Webflow is designed for more advanced users.
Squarespace is known for its dexterous tools, and similar to Webflow, it has a designer kit for free editing tool access.
Unlike Webflow’s creative freedom, Squarespace’s users are more limited in terms of design options but you can import tools from other platforms to create your content in Squarespace.
Squarespace Pros:
- Third-party App Imports – Squarespace is open to foreign tools from other platforms including Google Apps, OpenTable, or Mailchimp. But, the best one is that Squarespace can support Zapier, a tool with which you can connect to hundreds of other web apps.
- Flexibility – When on the road, users can remotely edit pages or blog posts on Squarespace’s mobile version – all they have to do is download the app.
- Outstanding Marketing Kits – Squarespace has a great marketing kit that includes building a logo, an email marketing platform, and access to professional logo designer tools.
- Backup – all deleted posts are stored so you can restore them after 30 days.
- No additional transaction fees when using their Commerce Plan.
- A background video feature, hooking visitors to the page, and makes for a better customer experience, especially for eCommerce businesses.
Squarespace Cons:
Although it’s one of the more popular website builders, Squarespace has its flaws:
- Lacks backup – you don’t have autosave on pages and blogs you edit, so if something turns sideways – you start all over.
- Poor SEO Optimization – despite the multiple ways for improving a Squarespace website’s SEO, users claim their SEO optimization is basic. So, if clients ask web developers to rank their page higher, the optimization will be a side project. Also, Squarespace doesn’t come with an email marketing tool. Unless you Zapier, the options are quite limited in this regard.
- Outdated POS – Squarespace’s POS isn’t available everywhere. It’s only available in the US. Plus, when compared to the competition – it needs lots of improvements.
- No mobile support
- Restricts the audience – Squarespace is short on GDPR compliance which instantly restricts the audience. If you have a European market, you’ll find the GDPR problematic.
- Cookie consent – Squarespace has difficulties with their cookies’ consent.
You must do solid research to check whether you’re entirely compliant.
Or, use a third-party program to do it for you. - Poor multi-currency powers – Squarespace doesn’t offer a multi-currency selling option. In addition to finances, Squarespace doesn’t automatically calculate tax rates, so users have to do them manually.
- Restricted banking methods – Squarespace narrows the payment options to Stripe and Paypal. Having two banking options is more than limiting, especially with the growing use of credit cards.
Wix as an alternative to Webflow:
Besides Webflow, the most visited website builder is Wix. Many popular blogs come from this host. However, Wix isn’t only popular for blogs, but eCommerce, landing pages, online stores, promo sites, and forums, to name a few.
Both Webflow and Wix are based on visual coding, but Wix scores a point with the drag-and-drop tool as it proved to be more intuitive than Webflow. That explains the steep learning curve which leads me to the second point.
Wix is much friendlier than Webflow to newbies. Navigation through the site takes only a few minutes until you get accustomed – the rest is a breeze! But on the other side, you won’t be able to customize it as much as a wordpress blog built with elementor for eg.
Wix Pros:
- User interface – creating and editing on Wix is easy to comprehend. Unlike with Webflow, with Wix, anyone can create a site.
- Optimized uptime – Wix has a relatively impressive uptime score. Any website created on Wix gives positive feedback for the site’s performance.
- Generous templates storage – Wix provides the best templates that users can pick and use for their site.
- Wix’s apps market – if there’s a problem with the site, Wix has an app market where users can find helpful tools to help them troubleshoot the issue – and finish their projects.
- Superb customer support – in case of a platform or any related issue, Wix’s customer support team is at your service around the clock – including on mobile.
- Marketing tools – Wix has an embedded email marketing tool that left many positive impressions on users.
- Optimized SEO performance – Wix’s SEO tools are user-oriented and Google-friendly.
- Free gallery – access an impressive album of professional photos that you can post and use for your site.
- Wix’s ADI – The Artificial Design Intelligence is a no-frill solution for ardent web developing rookies.
- Open blogging options – users have broad access to editable layouts. Users can edit, categorize, tag, and schedule posts – to save them as drafts.
Wix Cons:
Compared to the rest, Wix isn’t flawless, either. Some of the downsides the platform comes with include:
- Costly tools – if you have a business where the analytic tools are a must, then you’ll have to pay for the plan. The tracking and analytic tools aren’t free.
- Static content – in case you decide to switch to a different platform, the saved content of Wix cannot be exported to other website builders.
- Wix’s templates are non-convertible. If you’ve created your page, and you want to change it in the future – you cannot switch, or transfer. For a new template, you start from scratch.
- Free version downfalls – if you opt for Wix’s free version, expect possible ads attacks on your website, which can deter your audience from your site.
- Multisites unsustainability – if you manage a single site on Wix, you can opt for paid subscriptions. For managing several websites at once, Wix is sadly not the most sustainable option.
- GDPR Cookie Consent Barrier – for GDPR cookie consent, you must use a third-party app.
- Export failures – If you create a digital product or blog on Wix, you cannot export it to other platforms.
- Multi-currency unavailability – multi-currency availability is not a Wix option.
Shopify as an alternative to Webflow:
Shopify and Webflow have been presented as the leading site-building platform vs. the innovational site-building platform, respectively. In essence, Shopify is a traditional platform that can withhold a large influx of data convenient for big businesses.
Unlike Webflow, Shopify is a far more comprehensible and useful platform.
The language is basic so that everyone can understand what’s being said.
All in all, Shopify is a site-builder for greater stores, whereas Webflow is more convenient for small businesses.
Shopify Pros:
- Easy Interface – Shopify offers comprehensible language when it comes to creating the page.
- Templates Niche – not just customizable, but a myriad of templates stored in one place.
- Abandoned cart saving tool – you get this tool even with the $9 Shopify program.
- Tax rates calculator – Shopify arranges the tax rates for US, Canadian, and EU users.
- Discounts – you can expect loads of discounts with the integration of Shopify’s shipping service.
- Buy Button – with the Lite Program you can create the Buy button. This button allows you to promote and sell products on different websites outside Shopify’s scope.
- Email marketing tool – this tool allows you to manage 2,500 subscribers.
- Open for Third-parties – you can integrate a third-party app to Shopify to optimize the website.
- Shopify Billing – Shopify doesn’t charge additional transactional fees.
These are the focal points and benefits of Shopify. But, apart from the benefits, Shopify comes with lots of disadvantages.
Shopify Cons:
Although it’s a ruling platform that governs the website building platforms, Shopify has disadvantages to consider.
- Multinational limitations – Shopify allows multi-currency selling; however in a very complex manner. To execute it properly, you have to use third-party assistance, or otherwise, the platform cannot sustain the process. The same goes for translation apps.
- Additional apps – to add boxes or file uploads, you must use the appropriate Shopify app.
- Cookie banner app – to use the GDPR compliant, you’ll have to use the cookie banner app – otherwise, it’s not doable.
- Shopify payments limitations – not every country is entitled to use Shopify Payments.
Conclusion
As said, Webflow is really difficult to manage if you don’t have any web-building experience. But, in this review of webflow alternatives may not have the same benefits as Webflow, but they are also reputable website building platforms.
To make the final call on which site to use, start with your purpose. If you have a huge online store – choose a platform that can sustain the large influx of data. Also, if you have multiple sites, use Shopify instead of Webflow. After all, when it comes to business goals and finding the perfect platform match – to each their own is a fine mantra to be guided by.
