Allowing designers to work directly on a visual set while automatically generating their own code - whether in CSS, HTML or JavaScript - The Webflow CMS is a revolution in the web design sector.
Indeed, unlike more traditional CMS like WordPress, the platform remains much more customizable, with in particular the possibility of create databases adapted to the specific needs of a project. Our web agency specialized in SEO accompanies you in the creation of all your web projects.
But as a beginner, one question remains: how to effectively take control of Webflow for the creation of your website? Let's see if choosing to start a project using a pre-designed theme − A bit like WordPress after all - is such a relevant idea. Spotlight on Webflow and its many features.
The Webflow design and development platform
Before getting to the heart of the matter, it is important to understand what Webflow is all about and why it is useful for develop your own web space. Launched in the early 2010s, Webflow is a web design platform that allows users to create and publish websites. Addressing for professionals and beginners, the platform is distinguished by its visual approach combining design, development and layout management tools.
Why use Webflow?
Mainly aimed at designers, developers, large companies or even entrepreneurs and SMEs, the Webflow platform has numerous highlights, which did not take long to convince the most avant-garde:
- Webflow has first of all of a perfectly integrated CMS software, which allows users to create custom databases to create and manage dynamic content with an easy-to-use Page Builder, such as products, a blog section or even a portfolio space to show your prospects your most visual achievements. Adding plugins to enhance your space with new features is also simplified.
- The platform also includes fast and secure hosting, which avoids using an external tool such as OVH, Scaleway, Joomla or Ionos. This may seem like a small detail, but it is a considerable time-saver in fact to no longer manage this aspect, especially when Amazon and Fastly are behind the Webflow servers.
- Nowadays, many users prefer to use their smartphone or tablet to browse a page on the Internet. The Webflow CMS responds to this responsive design problem brilliantly thanks to a screen resizing feature of your choice, this allows you to have pages optimized for screens of all sizes.
- If you want to create a very visual site with numerous animations, without neglecting the user experience? The platform has thought of you, with numerous features - such as scrolling, transitions or effects - which do not require a great deal of development and coding knowledge. It is also very easy to be inspired by examples provided by the community on Webflow to use features developed by other users around the world.
- Finally, many businesses want to rely on an e-commerce site to sell their products online, as WooCommerce could do for example. And it's also possible with Webflow, the platform offers various options To create a store with 100% control of your e-commerce pages (products, categories, categories, payment, delivery, etc.), not to mention powerful integrations that will improve your experience on Webflow, and speed up the launch of your project.
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How do I get started with Webflow?
Before taking your first steps on Webflow, you need to know that you have to follow several steps. That said, nothing complicated compared to other CMS. The learning curve to master Webflow can take time, but nothing very complicated anyway if you Take time to understand how the tool works.
- The first step is the most logical, that of creating your account on Webflow, where you will be able to choose a free version to test the basic functionalities or a more complete plan if you already know that you will choose this CMS.
- Then will come the long-awaited time to go through the interface to familiarize yourself with the main tools in order to personalize the set. The space Designer where you will be able to create and modify your designs, the part Editor to manage the content of the site, the section CMS to manage all dynamic content, or even the game Settings to manage all the technical aspects around your site.
- Whether in a free or premium version, Webflow offers a set of templates that you can customize according to your own taste. This also avoids using an external site, such as ThemeForest for WordPress. All you have to do is clone an available example, and then use it in your dashboard.
- However, if you want to have a tailor-made site that is unlike any other, you can choose to start with Webflow “from scratch”, that is to say from scratch with a design that will have to be worked on step by step according to your tastes and abilities especially.
- After creating your new space, you will be able to preview your work on the various screens - desktop, mobile or tablet - in order to be sure of the visual result prior to its publication. If you have a custom domain name, you can connect it from the hosting tab of the platform. This will allow you to have a unique and clean URL to share your website with your targets.
Choosing a template on Webflow
As a starting point in order to benefit from a professional design that you can adapt according to your desires, the template on Webflow is a predesigned structure to make your job easier.
Thus, these website templates will include different design elements, such as sections, fonts or even different colors, not to mention functionalities that are found on a large majority of sites: galleries, forms, carousels, sliders, etc.
A template will also contain structured and organized pages, such as a home page, a blog page, a contact form page, a contact form page, a slider, headers, footers... In short, everything you need for an “almost” turnkey site.
How do I choose a template?
Before browsing the various templates made available to you on the Webflow platform, we advise you to clearly identify your goals. For example, do you want a showcase site? An online store or maybe just a landing page? Some templates include very specific functionalities, which may be useless in your case, but essential complements for others.
Writing specifications before starting is essential in order not to regret your choice, as some pre-designed models are chargeable. You won't be able to get a refund if you change your mind along the way.
Once this is done, the next step is to choose your template by going to the section Webflow Template Marketplace which allows you to browse the available themes. To make things easier for you, you can use filters and so better refine your search.
In particular, you will be able to choose your model according to the type of site you are looking for - e-commerce, window, portfolio, etc. -, but also the budget to be allocated to the purchase of this model. Finally, for an even easier choice, you can search for templates according to your sector of activity. For example, if you are a beauty salon, Webflow gives you the opportunity to search for a template that is already customized for this type of business.
To be sure of your choice, you can view the template demo, test the functionalities, visualize the animations present and have a realistic rendering on the phone to be sure that the chosen model is mobile friendly. A very interesting point with Webflow is that you can even get a code overview, and the structure of the site before even buying it.
Why use a template?
Of course, you will tell me, use a model on a platform such as Webflow has a lot of advantages. Indeed, for those who want to design a site quickly and efficiently, choosing an already established professional design will make your life easier. Here are some significant advantages of using a template on Webflow.
- It cannot be denied that using a template represents a real time-saver with pages and sections already present, as well as elements in place. Then all you have to do is focus on the content and the few adjustments to achieve the result of your desires.
- Basically, opting for this solution also involves a reduction in costs for your structure. Indeed, opting for a template, even if some are paid, is much cheaper than hiring a designer or a specialized developer to design the site.
- As we have already seen, if you have a specific project in mind - an e-commerce site or a landing page for example -, then you will easily be able to benefit of a perfectly coherent design with your specifications drawn up front.
- Finally, most of the pre-designed models are made taking into account SEO expectations, including structured tags and clear navigation, facilitating overall optimization. Be careful though, we will come back to it, but by choosing a template, your site will not be scalable over time. That is to say, it will not necessarily be able to evolve or adapt to future and growing needs, without going through development, or even a total redesign.
Why not use a template?
So templates have a lot of strengths, we can't deny that. However, there are a few things that might allow you to see it from a different perspective. Depending on your needs and your project, not using a pre-designed model can be just as lifesaving. Let's see why:
- The first reason is the most logical of all! Starting from scratch, you are going to get a unique site that is like no other. Because of course, the templates are free to access and in the end, your site may look just like other sites in the same domain and/or sector. Make all the difference with a completely tailor-made site adapted to the content of your business.
- Very important element for a site: The code of course ! Templates can contain poorly optimized or simply poorly structured elements, which can weigh down your site and have an impact on its performance. By starting from scratch, you are more likely to have clean, well-structured code with only the elements you need (unless you've never designed a site before)
- Finally, your tailor-made site will be scalable over time, with the possibility of evolving with all your future developments. Various elements will make your site scalable, such as a well-optimized code, a well-defined structure and a CMS to manage your content over time. You will save money later on your marketing investments thanks to a solid site from a technical point of view.
In themselves, templates on Webflow can save you precious time in creating your professional site. But there are other solutions, sometimes more demanding, for a tailor-made site that will truly reflect your image and your deepest values. AsWebflow SEO agency specialized, Angular accompanies you to raise the branding of your company, and to represent you in the most beautiful way on web interfaces.
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