Hey everyone! I'm a graphic designer diving into a new web project for a client, and I'm looking for some platform recommendations. I've previously worked with Wix Studio (which I didn't enjoy), Shopify (focusing on themes and some custom coding), and Readymag for my portfolio and personal projects. Now, I want something that offers more flexibility. I have experience with HTML and CSS, but I'm not looking to build a whole site from scratch.
I'm considering either WordPress with Elementor or Webflow. While I did a class on WordPress, it felt complicated and overwhelming—largely due to my teacher's poor instruction—so I'm hesitant but willing to give it a second chance if it's really recommended. I want a builder that allows for good design control while remaining user-friendly, given the budget constraints. I also want to ensure that the backend and SEO aspects are manageable and won't cause issues later. The site will be mainly informational for an organization, and they need to integrate Square for ticket sales and donations, as well as a booking system with AllBooked, which I can handle via Zapier.
I hope this is a good place to ask for advice. Thank you for your help!
5 Answers
Honestly, as much as I hate to admit it, Squarespace could work as a good middle ground. It's user-friendly enough for your needs, but I'm not sure how it stacks up against Webflow for customization.
Have you considered Craft CMS? It’s designed for flexibility and could offer the design control you’re looking for without turning into a coding nightmare.
I haven't heard of Craft CMS before, but I'll definitely check it out!
Webflow could be a great fit for you! It has a smoother learning curve for designers, allowing you to focus on layout and typography without worrying about coding too much. Just keep in mind that the long-term costs might be higher compared to WordPress hosting, so make sure your budget can handle that.
That sounds super helpful! Thanks a ton for the insight!
If you're looking for clean design control without heavy coding, Webflow is definitely geared toward you. It lets you create beautiful sites without the headache of plugin conflicts like WordPress can bring.
Skip Elementor and go for Bricks Builder instead. If you're comfortable with HTML and PHP, Bricks offers flexibility and clean code that will make your life easier!
I've had my issues with the limits of Shopify and Wix too. Is Squarespace that restrictive? I thought Webflow was worth a shot for design flexibility.