Hey man.
It might be an idea to do a Q&A or something to capture all of these thoughts, then pin it at the top of the forum and perhaps highlight it in bright pink for good measure… You’re probably way ahead.
The most sensible point I’ve read in this thread is by @DanUK1
Take your time. Remain competitive. Get it right. And stick.
There’s definitely truth to it, and I can see why it’s causing concerns.
I’d just like to quote you on this, not to single you out, but to explore an idea, and hopefully provide a bit of balance. It isn’t aimed at you.
I don’t get it. Webflow has always targeted professionals right?
I’m sure the team have put considerable time, energy and thought into making a move like this - and I really admire that it’s so transparent from the top down, with a very open and accessible community. They’re not a bunch of monkeys throwing peanut butter at each other and banging pans on desks. (I think).
For me, it’s the community that makes it. The fact that we have a voice and a say at all in the evolution of the product, to put it bluntly, is brilliant, and highly innovative. I even get responses from the CEO himself - there’s something you won’t see over at Squarespace.
Webflow is a unique tool. 97% of the time I have no issues with it. Every now and then there’s a bug or a glitch (as there is with any software designed and built by humans), but generally speaking, no issues and the team are responsive to address the ones that arise.
It enables me to build great sites, in less time, without writing any code. It even gives me the ability to offer content management to my clients. I get frequent backups and the code it exports is actually legible.
And now that I’ve been using it a good 7-8 months, I’ve really started to understand what I can do with it (which is more than I originally perceived).
The hosting is fast. The tool is excellent. The support is great, and the team are human beings with actual feelings. They communicate brilliantly.
So.
I’d seriously question you on your idea of professionalism, if you’re questioning the professionalism of Webflow? What are you selling to your clients? A “website” - or a valuable, hand-crafted piece of equipment that’s going to make them more money?. Are you a designer or a mac monkey?
Personally, I don’t entertain clients who don’t understand the value that good design is going to add to their business. I’m straight with them from the start. I don’t charge by the hour. I charge based on value - and if I get a client who isn’t all too serious or sure about what they want, I’ll set them up on Squarespace, but not for a bag of peanuts.
If anything, Webflow is cheap. It’s the miracle I’ve been waiting for. They don’t force you to use their hosting, or CMS. They give you the freedom to do what you want with it, and with the new updates coming, I can’t wait to see how things develop.
There have been things that have got on my tits a bit (like paying for white labelling and extra users) - but even that made sense to me in the end… And now it’s included in the plan I pay for. It’s not for me to dictate how Webflow operates as a business - I don’t have the insight they do. All I’ve got is my subjective opinion.
Essentially, what I’m getting at is, chill ya beans. Have some faith. You’re a part of something that’s going to be a lot bigger than it is now in the not so distant future - and I’m sure Webflow will compensate those who supported it through it’s growing pains.
I worked at a digital agency with it’s own in-house CMS, so I’m familiar with the fire that development and design teams take from clients who just don’t fully understand what’s going on behind the scenes (myself included).
Big up Webflow