Webflow's popularity is reshaping the design and development landscape, positioning it as a leading tool in the no-code movement and influencing workflows worldwide. However, what sets Webflow apart and adds a layer of complexity is the need for a basic understanding of website builder mechanics.
Here are my top 9 Best Essential Webflow Features for Custom Websites. Here are 2024 Essential Custom Website Webflow Templates if you need one for your website.
9 Best Essential Features
- What’s Webflow
- Webflow: CMS & Editor
- Define your Default Styles
- Where to begin: Template or Blank Canvas?
- Select a Template or Theme
- Adjust Spacing
- Browsers Support Features
- Webflow vs WordPress, Which is Better?
- Customize Your Website
1. What’s Webflow
Webflow is a visual design tool followed by web designers. In case you've never heard of it, it converts your design choices into clear, production-ready code.
Designed to make it possible for designers, developers, and pretty much everyone else to construct responsive websites completely.
Using a "code-first" methodology, Webflow is an all-in-one online design tool that enables users to build with Webflow, Webflow design, to graphically design, process, develop, and deploy flexible websites.
2. Webflow: CMS & Editor
Another crucial element of Webflow is the CMS, which enables you to add content management and dynamic material of any kind.
Your first thought might be a blog, but you can also use it to create portfolios and a range of other original content.
If you're a developer, you'll appreciate using the API to make webhooks and functions that are even more effective.
Zapier can also be used to connect your CMS to external services like Twitter or Google Sheets. Webflow is a robust platform, whether or not you know how to write code.
The CMS can be activated by selecting the dashboard's stack icon to the left. To use it, create a collection, add items to it, and then add it to your website by utilizing the Collection List element in the Adding panel.
The Editor, which fully eliminates tiresome back-end editing, is an additional helpful tool.
If all you need is to change the content on your website without making any changes to the web design or layout, you do not need to log into the Designer.
You can access it by visiting your live site and clicking the Edit Site button in the lower-right corner. Toggle on those third-party cookies and make sure you are logged in.
The options available to the Designer will appear in a little toolbar at the bottom. Simply move the mouse pointer over the item you want to edit, then click the corresponding icon.
You can then change the text, modify the images, and edit the button links, among many other things.
3. Define your Default Styles
A few recurring components are constant throughout the design. However, you can change them to suit your brand's needs. By altering and restyling them, you can create default styles.
There are innumerable similar things, such as:
- Body \Paragraph
- Styles for quotations
- Logo placement and link colors
First, let's determine the typography and size for the Body (all pages). It will flow consistently throughout your website if you use the same font styling.
Additionally, one of the choices is responsive design. For PCs and smartphones, it adjusts the size according to the screen size.
Sounds difficult? Your bespoke design is assisted by Webflow developers by designating appropriate body styling.
Additionally, keeping track of specific style guidelines facilitates teamwork. Choose global colors since they can be changed easily.
4. Where to begin: Template or Blank Canvas?
Even if you have no prior knowledge of web design, you can quickly create a quality website. Templates are the best option if you want to get a head start.
This provides you with a simple platform on which to develop your website. When designing it, Webflow also makes it simple to personalize the in-sight design and UX design for each component.
You can also use templates to learn how web design functions. You'll gain a deeper grasp of your website and best practices for web design in general by observing the structure and how the various pieces fit and function together.
Even a template created for a use other than what you intend to use it for can be used. It can be broken down and reassembled to suit your design requirements.
5. Select a Template or Theme
You will be sent to the template page after completing the Webflow inquiry. You may be required to learn here before working.
Click "Get Started" in the top right corner of your screen if you want to learn more; it will resemble the image below!
Following the instructions, get started by creating a demo website. You need a layout for your Webflow university website right here. Grids, containers, columns, and sections are the four options that will be available.
You will be taken to a page with several templates that you can use to design your Webflow Website if you choose not to learn. The bottom-right corner of each image will display the cost of the template.
Additionally, several templates can be found categorized as "New Templates," "Untied Templates," E-commerce, and many others. Select "Preview in Browser" from the menu to see how it will appear to visitors.
The individual can attain the same goal at the same time by traveling through the Webflow website to track the web in the same manner as the website.
6. Adjust Spacing
The white space beneath the header has to be reduced now that we've introduced a new element. Changing the bottom margin is possible by clicking on the header element.
In the element styles panel on the right, under "Spacing," are the margins. The lower margin in the preview panel will be colored blue when you hover over it. Its current value is 100px.
The margin may then be changed in the preview window in real time by clicking and dragging it there or by clicking and typing the desired value. Change the margin to about 50px using the technique you like.
Our newly created section now needs a bottom margin, so click on it and follow the instructions again to add a 50px margin. This is what ought to happen.
7. Browsers Support Features
The next step is to examine the responsiveness of your Webflow website on mobile devices and other browser support features. Try testing your Webflow website on as many different devices as possible, as it should be device-friendly.
If you don't have access to many different devices, the Webflow tools listed below can assist you in adding browser support capabilities to your website.
Accessibility
Accessibility for people with disabilities includes those who use the internet. Everyone, especially those who have difficulty hearing, seeing, or navigating online, should be able to view your Webflow website design.
Make your website more accessible by using Webflow tools. However, if you encounter any issues, you can hire a Webflow designer through a reputable Webflow-based development firm like Webflow Website Solutions.
SEO
Ensure that the indexing of your Webflow free subdomain is turned off in your project settings. For each page of your website, you can also specify the names and descriptions based on SEO.
SEO-based content can raise the ranking of your website and bring in more visitors. To get the job done, you may need a team comprised of Webflow designers, digital marketing specialists, and website content writers.
8. Webflow vs WordPress, Which is Better?
Yes, Webflow is superior to WordPress since it allows for total creative flexibility, as opposed to WordPress's coding restrictions.
The Webflow design builds with Webflow, Webflow design as opposed to a Webflow template in restriction.
Additionally, Webflow can help you create high-quality code and an amazing user experience; however, WordPress has a large requirement for plugins that can clog up the code.
It is advised that both small and large businesses create websites based on their workflow.
9. Customize Your Website
From this point forward, your work as a Webflow designer begins! Numerous modifying options are available, ranging from choosing the layout to adding information.
Choose the layout, components, and symbols first before beginning to add content to your Webflow website.
- Webflow Adding Elements
- We should begin by adding items to Webflow.
- Click the Add menu item in the sidebar to add elements to Webflow. Then, click the Elements tab. There are numerous layout options available here. Choose the best option, then continue with the progress.
Adding Sections
A screen-spanning layout component is represented by sections, which is perfect for backdrop photos, movies, and other content. The instructions below will help you add sections to your Webflow website.
- Select "Add" from the menu on the left sidebar.
- The Elements and Layout area will appear once you choose to Add. Select the Section tab that appears in the Layout section now.
- After that, drag the piece to the desired website place.
- After finishing the section's addition to your website, tap it and select the right-hand menu to change the section's size and add content. You can add material by typing or by dragging and dropping files.
Conclusion
Webflow is an excellent platform for building custom websites quickly and easily. Its drag-and-drop design and advanced coding capabilities make it a great option for developers, designers, and marketers alike. It also has built-in SEO tools, an expansive library of templates, and no-code design features, making Webflow a leader in website development.
