Exploring Your Options: Hosting with or without Webflow

Site Plans

Site plans, sometimes referred to as Hosting Plans, are necessary if you want to host your site directly on Webflow and use a custom domain. This is crucial for businesses that want their website to be accessible through a unique web address, like www.yourcompanyname.com.

• Basic Plan: Ideal for simple sites without the need for a content management system (CMS).
• CMS Plan: Necessary for most users who want to leverage Webflow's CMS capabilities, which allow for dynamic content like blogs or product catalogs.

For each project you want to publish on a custom domain, you'll need a separate Site plan. This means if you have multiple projects, each with its own custom domain, you'll need a corresponding number of Site plans.

Workspace Plans

Workspace plans, also known as Account Plans, are designed for freelancers, agencies, and teams that manage multiple projects. Every Webflow site is developed within a Workspace by default.

• Free Plan: Offers limited features and is suitable for individuals or small teams just getting started.
• Core and Growth Plans: Offer more seats, non-hosted sites, and guest slots, making them ideal for larger teams or agencies.

The main advantage of paid Workspace subscriptions is the ability to collaborate with others and create more free sites, enhancing productivity and project management.

Webflow's Infrastructure

Webflow sites are hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS) and distributed via the Fastly Network. This ensures high reliability and performance. AWS provides the global infrastructure to keep your site running smoothly, while Fastly's Content Delivery Network (CDN) delivers content quickly, enhancing user experience.

These robust hosting solutions mean that when you choose Webflow, your site benefits from enterprise-grade hosting, automatic updates, and improved security features like free SSL/TLS and DDoS protection.

In summary, Webflow's hosting plans are designed to cater to a range of needs, from individual users to large teams, all while providing a secure and scalable platform. As we dig deeper, we'll explore the pros and cons of hosting with Webflow, helping you make an informed decision for your business.

Self-Hosting and Exporting Site Files

Webflow allows you to export your site's HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other assets. This means you can host your site elsewhere if you prefer. Here's a simple breakdown of how it works:

1. Build Your Site: Design your site in Webflow using its intuitive tools.
2. Export Your Files: Steer to the project settings, select the "Export" tab, and click "Export Site" to download a ZIP file of your site.
3. Choose a Hosting Provider: Upload the exported files to your preferred hosting provider.

This process gives you flexibility, allowing you to choose a hosting provider that fits your budget or specific needs.

Webflow CMS and Flexibility

One of Webflow's standout features is its Content Management System (CMS). It enables dynamic content management, perfect for blogs, product catalogs, or any site that needs regular updates.

However, if you decide to self-host, you lose access to Webflow's CMS. This means any dynamic content must be managed manually or integrated into another CMS like WordPress, which can be complex and time-consuming.

Balancing Flexibility and Functionality

Opting for self-hosting offers flexibility but comes with trade-offs:

• No Webflow CMS: You'll need to find alternative solutions for managing dynamic content.
• Security and Maintenance: You'll be responsible for your site's security, updates, and any necessary plugins.
• Additional Effort: Exporting and setting up your site with another host requires technical skills and time.

In contrast, hosting with Webflow provides a seamless experience with built-in security, automatic updates, and hassle-free CMS capabilities.

In the next section, we’ll dive into the advantages of hosting with Webflow and how it can save you time and effort.

Integrated CMS

Webflow's Content Management System (CMS) is built into the platform, providing a smooth and intuitive way to manage your site's content. This means you don’t have to worry about integrating third-party CMS solutions like WordPress, which can be complex and cumbersome. With Webflow, you can easily update your site's content without touching a single line of code. The CMS is perfect for businesses that need to update blogs, product listings, or any dynamic content regularly.

Security

Security is a top priority when managing a website. Hosting with Webflow means you benefit from robust security features without lifting a finger.

• SSL/TLS Certificates: Every Webflow site comes with free SSL/TLS, ensuring your site is secure and boosting your SEO rankings.
• DDoS & Bot Protection: Webflow provides built-in protection against Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks and advanced bot protection, keeping your site safe from malicious traffic.
• Vulnerability Scanning: Continuous monitoring for security vulnerabilities means your site is always protected against the latest threats.

Time Savings

When you host with Webflow, you save valuable time that would otherwise be spent on maintenance and troubleshooting. Here’s how:

• Automatic Updates: Webflow handles all updates, ensuring your site is always running on the latest technology without any manual effort.
• No Maintenance Hassles: Forget about managing plugins or dealing with compatibility issues. Webflow takes care of it all, allowing you to focus on what matters most—your content and design.

Seamless Functionality

Hosting directly with Webflow ensures that all components of your site work together seamlessly. This includes:

• Forms and CMS: These features work out-of-the-box and require no additional setup. Exporting your site to another host can lead to functionality issues, especially with forms and dynamic content.
• Global CDN: Powered by Amazon Web Services and Cloudflare, Webflow’s hosting offers fast and reliable performance worldwide. Your site will load quickly for visitors, no matter where they are located.

By choosing to host with Webflow, you eliminate many of the headaches associated with self-hosting. You get a streamlined, secure, and efficient platform that allows you to focus on growing your business rather than managing your website.

In the following section, we will explore some of the disadvantages of hosting with Webflow, so you can make a well-informed decision.

Cost

One of the most significant concerns with Webflow hosting is the cost. Webflow plans can be more expensive compared to traditional hosting providers. Here's a quick breakdown:

• Basic Plan: $14/month
• CMS Plan: $23/month
• Business Plan: $39/month
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

These costs might be too high for small businesses or individuals on a tight budget. While these plans include hosting, CMS, and security features, the price may still be a barrier for those looking for a more affordable solution.

E-commerce Limitations

Webflow's e-commerce capabilities, while robust, have some limitations that might not suit every business.

• Pricing: E-commerce plans start at $29/month, which could be steep for startups or small businesses.
• Functionality: While Webflow supports popular payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal, it might not offer the same range of features as dedicated e-commerce platforms.

For businesses that require advanced e-commerce features, such as complex inventory management or extensive third-party integrations, Webflow might not be the best fit.

External Hosting Options

If you prefer to host your website elsewhere, Webflow allows you to export site files. However, this comes with challenges:

• CMS Limitations: Exporting your site means losing Webflow's integrated CMS, which can complicate content management.
• Functionality Issues: Forms and dynamic content might not work seamlessly after export, requiring additional setup or coding expertise.

While self-hosting offers flexibility, it might involve more time and technical skills than some users are willing to invest. You would need to handle updates, security, and maintenance yourself, which can be daunting for those without technical know-how.

In the next section, we will address frequently asked questions about Webflow hosting to help you better understand your options.

Do you need hosting for Webflow?

Yes, if you build a website with Webflow, you'll need a hosting solution to make it accessible on the internet. Webflow offers its own hosting service, which is integrated with their design platform, providing a seamless experience. However, you can also choose to host your Webflow site elsewhere if you prefer.

Can you build on Webflow and host somewhere else?

Absolutely! Webflow allows you to build your site using their intuitive design tools and then export your site files. This means you can take your design and host it with a different provider.

Here's how it works:

• Export Site: Webflow lets you export your site's HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and images. This gives you the flexibility to host your website on any platform that supports static files.
• External Hosting: Once exported, you can upload these files to external hosting providers like AWS, Netlify, or others. This option is great if you have specific hosting needs or want to integrate with systems outside of Webflow's ecosystem.

Is Webflow self-hosted?

Webflow itself is not self-hosted in the traditional sense. When you use Webflow's hosting, your site is hosted on their infrastructure, which leverages Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the Fastly Network for reliability and speed.

However, by exporting your site files, you can essentially "self-host" by uploading them to a hosting provider of your choice. This approach gives you control over the hosting environment but also requires you to manage aspects like updates, security, and backups on your own.

Navigating the choice between Webflow's hosting and self-hosting can be tricky, but understanding your needs and the trade-offs involved can lead you to the best decision for your project.

Next, we'll explore the benefits of partnering with experts for your Webflow projects.