website is a crucial asset for (almost) any business. It often serves as both the first and last point of contact for prospective customers, making it a vital sales channel that requires continuous improvement. As businesses grow and evolve, their needs change, necessitating investments in systems that can scale with them.
For marketers, the ability to quickly implement website changes is essential - from launching marketing campaigns and adapting to brand evolution. Because of this, websites must be flexible, secure, scalable, and user-friendly. Initially, like many businesses, LimeHub’s first website was built (some years ago now) on WordPress. However, as our needs — and indeed the needs and expectations of our clients — have evolved, we have found Webflow to be a far superior platform of choice.
Let’s dig into the reasons why.
Maintenance
WordPress operates much like a mobile device: on its own, it doesn’t offer much, but with a vast library of plugins (the equivalent of mobile apps on a phone), it becomes a powerful tool. However, these plugins require regular updates to ensure performance and security. For businesses like us, where our developers are focussed on developing innovative new websites and apps, maintenance is a waste of resources. When we were using Wordpress, each week, we had to dedicate time to back up the site, update plugins, and ensure everything functioned correctly post-update. Delays in updates could result in a sluggish, insecure site, while immediate updates often led to compatibility issues that required troubleshooting.
In contrast, Webflow offers a more streamlined experience. It eliminates the need for constant updates and reduces the risk of compatibility issues. This allows us to focus more on creating and publishing content rather than maintaining the website.
Complexity
The flexibility of WordPress, while advantageous, can also be a burden due to its added complexity. WordPress’s open-source nature means that users must navigate multiple points of support when issues inevitably arise. This can be particularly challenging without a dedicated developer, making the platform a potential minefield for those without extensive technical expertise.
Webflow, on the other hand, provides a more integrated approach. It combines powerful design capabilities with intuitive usability, reducing the complexity typically associated with web development. This allows our team to create sophisticated, custom websites without the need for extensive coding (but with the option to expand capabilities using custom code if required).
Cost
While WordPress itself is free, and many plugins are too, there are hidden costs that can make it an expensive option. Development costs can be higher due to the complexity of the platform, and additional expenses for hosting, backups, security, and support can add up. Reliable and secure options usually come at a price, and managing these components separately can be cumbersome.
Webflow simplifies this with its all-in-one platform, which includes hosting, security, and backups. This consolidation not only reduces costs but also streamlines management, making it easier to maintain a secure and high-performing website.
System Selection
Our experience with WordPress highlighted the need for a platform that better aligned with our evolving needs. We sought a no-code website platform with advanced design capabilities, integrated hosting, and the flexibility to scale with our growth. Webflow met these criteria perfectly. It allows us to integrate seamlessly with other applications via tools like Zapier and manage all tracking codes using Google Tag Manager.
In the past few years, we’ve built hundreds of websites using Webflow, leveraging its robust design and functionality capabilities for small and large organisations. For smaller businesses, platforms like Wix are also suitable, offering all-in-one solutions with user-friendly interfaces. However, for us and most of our clients, Webflow stands out as a superior choice.
The key takeaway is that businesses must select a platform that suits their current and future functionality requirements. While WordPress remains a powerful tool, its complexity and maintenance demands can be a hindrance for growing businesses. Webflow offers a modern, efficient alternative that aligns with the needs of a dynamic, scaling business.
As LimeHub continues to grow, we are committed to leveraging the best tools and platforms to deliver outstanding web development services. If you’re planning your next website project, reach out to us for expert guidance on system selection, visual and experiential design, and development. Our experience and expertise ensure that we can help you choose and implement the right platform for your business needs.
LimeHub is a Webflow Enteprise Partner with offices in Brisbane and Melbourne - so if you’re planning your next website project then reach out to us for help with system selection, visual and experiential design, and development.