Webflow vs. Wix - a concrete comparison of CMS systems

The popularity of Wix and Webflow — an introduction

In Poland, both platforms are not among the most popular. In our country, WordPress is very popular all the time. Both Webflow and Wix are just building their community in Poland. It is quite different if we analyze the global market!

Wix shows impressive numbers, with more than 8.5 million active websites and an estimated 258 million users of the platform. Interestingly, Wix is popular in more than 190 countries, with the largest market in the United States, where about 1.1 million Wix sites are located. Other key markets include the United Kingdom, Brazil, Germany and Australia (by. Style Factory).

Wix is also one of the leaders in the global use of web building tools, with a 12% market share, which puts it second only to WordPress.

Webflow in turn, it is used on 467,612 active pages (February 2024). Mainly in the United States where it is currently used on 237,142 pages. Other important countries for Webflow where its use is very common are Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. However, its popularity is growing very dynamically, especially since 2022. More details can be found at BuiltWith dedicated to Webflow usage statistics.

Ease of use vs. advanced capabilities

In the web development industry, the key factor in choosing a platform is the balance between ease of use and advanced capabilities. Wix, with its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, is often The first choice for aspiring website builders. Its engine allows you to quickly build pages using ready-made templates and widgets, which is ideal for people who want to quickly launch an aesthetic site without having to delve into technical details. This tool is aimed at individuals and small businesses.

On the other hand we have Webflow, although it may require a lot of learning, it offers users much more freedom in design. Thanks to him, even without deep programming knowledge, You can create complex, fully customized pages that go beyond standard templates. Webflow allows precise manipulation of every element of the website, which is invaluable for those who want to have full control over every aspect of the design and functionality of their website. Webflow requires knowledge, which is why it is mainly used by digital agencies and software houses.

For entrepreneurs and marketers, the choice between Wix and Webflow often boils down to the question: “Do I prefer speed and simplicity - but many limitations, or flexibility, a more complex creation process and control over design?” Wix is a great solution for fast implementation of simple pages, while Webflow becomes the obvious choice for those who plan more complex designs, requiring detailed customization and optimization.

Server stability and performance

Page loading speed and reliability are often rated by internet users, so choosing a platform with a solid hosting foundation seems important. Wix offers hosting that is sufficient for most simple websites, with an emphasis on ease of use. Its servers are designed to provide adequate performance for standard applications, making it a good choice for smaller businesses and personal websites.

Webflow, in turn, clearly stands out in this category. This platform uses a highly efficient cloud infrastructure (Amazon Cloud), providing much greater server stability. For businesses, where every second of page downtime can mean lost revenue, this reliability is invaluable. Additionally, Webflow offers more advanced page optimization options, which is especially important for growing businesses and large web projects.

It's no secret that page load speed has a direct impact on SEO and overall user satisfaction (UX).

CMS Capabilities - Content Management

A content management system (CMS) is one of the key elements of any web development platform, and both Webflow and Wix offer interesting solutions here.

Wix offers a simple and intuitive CMS, ideal for users who want to add and edit content on their pages quickly and effortlessly. It is especially friendly for undemanding companies or individual users who do not need too complicated functions and want to keep the content management process as simple as possible.

Wix has simple content management, allowing users to edit and update their sites with a simple, intuitive interface. It provides various pre-designed templates and apps to add functionality, making it ideal for users who value ease of use.

Webflow takes a more comprehensive approach to CMS issues. Its CMS system is not only powerful, but it also offers much more flexibility and control over your content. Users can create custom functionalities, which is especially useful for larger projects that require more advanced and detailed content management. This makes Webflow the perfect choice for businesses looking to customize every aspect of their website, from blogs to product catalogs, with unparalleled precision and flexibility.

CMS Webflow is designed for users who expect significant personalization. It allows you to create websites with a complex structure with dynamic content types such as blogs, portfolios and simple online stores.

When comparing CMS features in Webflow and Wix, we note several key differences and similarities:

Webflow:

1. Advanced personalization capabilities: Webflow offers full control over every aspect of your project and content, allowing you to create custom interactions and precise designs.
2. Dynamic Content: the ability to create dynamic pages and templates that automatically fill with content from the CMS collection.
3. Advanced security: Strong encryption and secure backups, which is crucial for data protection.
4. Intuitive visual editor: Ease of designing and editing pages without the need for coding knowledge.

Wix:

1. Centralized content management: The CMS on Wix allows you to manage your content in one place and display it on multiple pages.
2. Collaboration and entitlements: the ability to collaborate and grant permissions to manage content, without the risk of changing the design of the site.
3. Dynamic pages and presets: use one layout to generate multiple pages, perfect for portfolio pages and blogs.
4. User Contributing Content: allows you to create forms through which visitors can submit content and information.

Webflow It features advanced personalization options, dynamic content, and strong security, making it ideal for advanced projects and users looking for greater control over design and content.

Wix offers simpler yet versatile CMS tools that are easy to use and ideal for novice users and smaller projects that do not require advanced customization.

Both platforms offer tools for creating and managing content, but differ in their level of sophistication and flexibility, which should be taken into account when choosing the right platform for your specific needs.

See also: Webflow or WebWave, which is better to place the site on?

SEO support in Webflow and Wix

Everyone who builds a website wants it to be visible in search results. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and marketing tools play a key role here. Let's take a look at how Webflow and Wix are doing in these areas.

Webflow provides SEO tools that allow users to effectively optimize their sites. It offers full control over HTML tags, URLs, meta titles and descriptions, increasing the chance of high rankings and visibility in search engines.

Wix has made significant improvements to its offering for SEO support, providing an intuitive guide to setting up SEO, as well as advanced features like custom meta tags, redirects, and more. It also offers an online guide: Wix SEO Wiz to help users improve the performance of their site in search engines.

Both platforms have strong SEO support; Webflow offers more technical control, beneficial for advanced SEO strategies, while Wix simplifies the SEO process with guided tools and automatic optimizations, making it suitable for users with less technical knowledge.

Pricing and Subscription Plans

Choosing the right website development platform often depends on your budget and business needs. Both Webflow and Wix offer different pricing plans, tailored to the different needs of users. Let's take a closer look at their offers.

Webflow offers a wide range of plans, which are tailored to the different needs of users - from individual creators to large enterprises. The free Starter plan is a great starting point for those just starting out on their Webflow adventure, allowing you to experiment with limited features. For those who need more features, Webflow offers paid plans like Basic, CMS, and Business that increase CMS limits, bandwidth, and number of visits. These plans are ideal for users who need more control over their websites, with prices rising as features expand. For large enterprises and advanced needs, Webflow offers an Enterprise plan with individual pricing and advanced features.

Webflow also has dedicated plans for e-commerce that provide different levels of features and limits for online stores, from small to large enterprises. Additionally, Workspace plans are tailored to the needs of teams and agencies, with options for collaboration and project management.

On the other hand, Wix is known for offering simple, intuitive page builder tools that are perfect for individual users, small businesses, and online stores. Wix offers a range of subscription plans, which are affordable and easy to understand. Premium plans include different levels of features, from simple to more advanced, depending on the user's needs. Wix also offers dedicated plans for e-commerce that allow you to create and manage online stores. Unfortunately for users who are just starting out on their web development journey, Wix does not offer a free plan, but only a 14-day trial period for each Premium plan.

All in all, Webflow is ideal for those looking for more control and flexibility in website design, especially for advanced and large projects. Its plans are more varied and can be more expensive, but offer advanced features for professionals and enterprises. Wix, on the other hand, is more affordable and easy to use, making it a good choice for beginners, individual developers, and small businesses that don't need complicated features.

See also: Wordpress vs Webflow - comparison of giants

Support and educational resources

When choosing a website development platform, it is also important to consider the type of support and educational resources that are available. Both Webflow and Wix offer a variety of support and education options that can greatly impact the user experience.

Webflow

Webflow is distinguished by its rich educational resource, known as Webflow University. It offers a wide range of tutorials, guides and video courses that are available for both beginners and advanced users. These materials help users understand all aspects of the platform, from the basics of design to more advanced techniques.

Moreover, Webflow offers customer support via email and active communities such as forums and social media groups, where users can ask questions and exchange knowledge. For enterprises using Enterprise plans, Webflow provides additional support, such as a dedicated customer support specialist.

Wix

Wix also offers extensive educational resources that include video tutorials, articles, and a community forum. These resources are easily accessible and designed to be user-friendly for all levels of experience. Wix Blog regularly provides advice and guidance on website design, SEO and marketing.

Wix also offers support through a variety of channels, including help center, live chat, and phone support. For users on paid plans, Wix provides faster support and prioritization for questions and issues.

Conclusion - Webflow or Wix?

The choice between Webflow and Wix depends on your individual needs, preferences, and business goals. Both platforms offer unique features and functionality that can be suitable for different types of users and projects. Before making a decision, it is also worth doing online research. You can, for example, see the ratings and opinions of users on the site G2.com.

Webflow

Webflow is ideal for users who are looking for advanced control over the design and functionality of their website. With its flexible pricing plans, advanced design tools, and powerful CMS capabilities, it's an excellent choice for professional designers, developers, and medium to large enterprises. Webflow's rich educational resources and technical support also make it an attractive choice for those who want to learn and develop in the field of web design.

Wix

Wix, on the other hand, is more suitable for novice users, freelancers, small businesses and people who need to quickly and easily create an attractive and functional website. With its intuitive drag and drop interface, wide range of templates, and easily accessible page builder tools, Wix makes web development accessible to everyone, without the need for deep technical knowledge.

Platform selection

When choosing between Webflow and Wix, it's important to consider your level of web development experience, the features you need, your budget, and your long-term goals. Both platforms have their strengths and can be an excellent choice depending on the specific requirements of the project.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference in content management between Webflow and Wix?
The main difference lies in the level of customization and control; Webflow offers more detailed control for technical users, while Wix provides a simpler, template-based approach for ease of use.

Can I move my website from Wix to Webflow and vice versa?
Migrating content between these platforms can be difficult due to their different architectures. This is possible, but may require you to manually move content or use third-party services.

Which platform is better for SEO: Webflow or Wix?
Both platforms offer strong SEO capabilities, but Webflow gives you more technical control over your SEO settings, which can be beneficial for advanced SEO strategies.

Which platform offers better customer service and educational resources?
Wix offers more direct support options, making it suitable for beginners. Webflow provides extensive documentation and community forums, designed more for users with some technical background.

Is Webflow or Wix more suitable for beginners without coding knowledge?
Wix is more suitable for beginners due to its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and wide variety of templates, making website creation easier.