I have been building custom sites for clients for over 19 years, and I am growing tired of the process. I like the idea of designing the sites visually and then having production ready code and CMS ready to go.
I am looking for advice from others in same situation. Front End Designers/Developers that have taken the plunge into Webflow. Is it a step backwards since I can already hand-code my HTML and CSS? Will my clients even know I am using Webflow if I white label the CMS?
Any advice is appreciated as I am on the fence about moving to Webflow for all my client work.
I used to hand code websites too. I gotta say… it’s a lonnnnng process. Since I use Webflow, I can deliver around 3 websites a week, it’s so fast! The fact that you already know HTML and CSS will only help you with the learning curve and when you need some custom code.
If you don’t want your clients to know that you’re using webflow, it’s totally possible with the white labeling. You can even remove the webflow “branding” from the exported code.
Thanks Donald. I heard the speed is so much better also when you use Webflow and that is what I need also. Do you custom design or use templates mostly? Do your clients enjoy the CMS and find it easy to use?
Lastly, how. do you price your hosting fees for clients? I am wondering what is fair to charge with Webflow. Like CMS Hosting for $35/mo, e-commerce for $55/mo, etc?
I never used any template with Webflow yet. For the CMS, it’s soooo easy! I used to use Wordpress for CMS websites and give a 2h training to my clients. Since I use Webflow I only send a 3 minutes screen recording and they’re good to go!
For the hosting, we have our own servers, so all our websites with no CMS are hosted on our servers. For CMS project that are hosted on Webflow it really depends. Sometimes it’s 20% on top of Webflow pricing, sometimes it’s 0% + a monthly maintenance fee and sometimes we only boost the original price of the website and take nothing on the hosting fee.
80% of the time they don’t really need CMS so we charge for manual updates (they often need no more than 1-2 updates a month). And it’s easy to start without CMS and add it in the future if it becomes necessary and just switch to Webflow hosting!
Fellow Webflow evangelist here with a second opinion.
Once you learn the ropes on Webflow and watch the great training videos they have you will be amazed at how fast it is. I’m more of a learn as I go guy, but I’ve found the videos very helpful.
I usually start with a template to save time on things like basic styling, and the contact forms and little things of that nature. But after I create a site, because of Webflows unmatched flexibility it is usually unrecognizable from the template.
Regarding Hosting…
I usually do not upcharge for the hosting fees, but if I do I just round it up to the nearest whole number. I have never had a site go down for an extended period of time and the Webflow servers seem pretty quick in my experience, so i just keep them on Webflow. There is a service called https://jinglebell.io/ that gives you all the tools to host externally… “If you have a static site”. But they do support Webflow forms. Now, I have never used it so I am not endorsing that service, but it is out there and appears to be pretty legitimate.
To sum it up, Webflow is the best platform I have ever used and I have not had to build a Wordpress site since I moved to Webflow. Also, after they fully launch their e-commerce functionality, I think you will be seeing a mass exodus of users from other platforms coming to Webflow. If you are a single person team there is just no way to keep up with people that are using Webflow. It is hands down the best decision I made for my business.
I run a one-man business and I need to get a better workflow. Webflow just seems like the perfect blend of what I need. Are you all on the Pro plan so you can white-label it?
If you do not mind me asking, what do you all quote for like a small 10 page site with or without CMS? Trying to get a gauge on what is fair pricing without overpricing or underpricing myself as I am new to Webflow.
Yes, I have been on the pro plan for almost a year now I believe. It makes my business look very professional. Also, there are some great “cloneable” projects that you can copy and send to your clients to show them how to use the cms. Having my logo and content on that and the editor just takes my business to another level.
Ever since I have been using Webflow, I have not had a single project client. With the quality of work I am able to produce and professionalism I display. Ever client has requested multiple projects, and all but one of my clients have referred me to other clients.
That is awesome. I am so exciting to move to Webflow and get started. Pricing is my only issue as I need to figure out what is fair for design and hosting. I see they also have some hosting limits that I have to consider also if it is a big site. The $16 CMS site looks to cover a lot for most sites.
No problem! Just to give you more insight also… now that I am pretty decent at Webflow. A simple 10 page site would probably take me 2-3 days to get most of it nailed down. That’s how fast it can be.
What do you guys charge for monthly maintenance if someone does not have a CMS and wants to have an hour or so included in monthly fees? Just curious what is going rates for that stuff if you do it.
