WP Engine vs WordPress: why migrating to Webflow is the solution

WordPress stands as one of the most chosen technologies for creating and hosting websites globally. This open-source content management system (CMS) has long been celebrated for its flexibility, ease of use, and commitment to democratizing publishing. However, a recent controversy has sent shockwaves through the WordPress community, setting it against its founder, one of the largest WordPress hosting providers, WP Engine.

At the heart of this dispute lies a fundamental question: How to balance the ideals of open-source software with the practical realities of running a business in the digital age?

The conflict started when Mullenweg, the founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, publicly criticized WP Engine, a major managed WordPress hosting provider serving thousands of websites worldwide, for disabling a core WordPress feature: post revision history. This feature, which allows users to track changes made to their content over time, is considered by Mullenweg to be a fundamental aspect of WordPress's commitment to data transparency and user control.

Mullenweg argued that WP Engine's decision to disable this feature by default was driven by cost-cutting measures, prioritizing profits over user experience and the integrity of the WordPress platform.

In response to what he perceived as a violation of WordPress's core principles, Mullenweg took drastic action. He banned WP Engine from accessing WordPress.org resources, including the official plugin and theme repositories. While the WordPress software itself remains open-source and freely available, the infrastructure that facilitates easy updates and installations is not covered under the same license.

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This decision had far-reaching consequences:

• Many websites hosted on WP Engine suddenly lost the ability to update plugins and themes.
• Security vulnerabilities emerged as sites were unable to apply critical updates.
• The broader WordPress community found itself caught in the crossfire, with small business owners and individual bloggers facing unexpected technical challenges.

In the following sections, we'll delve deeper into the technical aspects of WP Engine and Wordpress and consider the potential long-term implications for the WordPress ecosystem and the broader world of open-source software. We will also provide an alternative to WordPress, which is Webflow.

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What is WordPress?

WordPress is a free and open-source content management system that allows any user to create and manage websites easily. A content management system is a tool that makes it easy to manage important aspects of your website, such as content, without needing to know anything about code. Starting as a blogging platform, the WordPress software has evolved to help users build various sites, from blogs and portfolios to e-commerce stores. WordPress is used by individuals, startups, and big businesses. 

It’s important to understand the WordPress ecosystem. WordPress provides both WordPress.com and WordPress.org. Its main difference is that while WordPress.com offers a hosted solution that simplifies the process of creating a website, WordPress.org allows users to host their own site, offering full control over customization and resource management.

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Key Wordpress features

Easy to use

WordPress empowers users to craft sophisticated websites without any coding expertise. Its user-friendly admin dashboard provides seamless control over content, media assets, visual themes, and functionality extensions. At the heart of content creation lies the innovative Gutenberg editor, which revolutionizes the writing experience through its modular block system. This intuitive interface allows users to effortlessly manipulate diverse elements, from text and images to videos and custom widgets, via a fluid drag-and-drop mechanism. 

Open-source software

WordPress, as an open-source software, fosters global collaboration and innovation. This model enables unparalleled customizability, allowing developers to modify core files, themes, and plugins to meet specific requirements. The vibrant community has produced a rich ecosystem of diverse tools and solutions. Regular updates driven by collective efforts ensure enhanced security and functionality, keeping WordPress at the forefront of web development.

Highly customizable

WordPress's exceptional customizability is a standout feature. The official directory boasts thousands of themes, enabling precise alignment with brand aesthetics and functional preferences. From simple blogs to complex e-commerce platforms, an extensive plugin library caters to diverse needs. Effortlessly integrate essential features like contact forms, multimedia galleries, analytics tools, and payment gateways, empowering users to create tailored, feature-rich websites with minimal effort.

Additionally, whether you’re creating small websites or large eCommerce stores, there are WordPress plugins to support your needs. Add features like contact forms, galleries, Google Analytics integration, and payment gateways in just a few clicks.

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Disadvantages of WordPress

Plugin dependency

WordPress's extensive flexibility and customization options can increase complexity, particularly regarding plugin usage. The abundance of choices can complicate setup and configuration decisions. Overloading a site with plugins often compromises website speed and performance.

Customization 

While WordPress offers substantial customization through themes and plugins, achieving highly bespoke designs may require coding expertise. Moreover, WordPress's popularity makes it a prime target for cyber attacks, necessitating vigilant security measures and regular updates.

Performance

WordPress sites can suffer from slower load times, especially when laden with numerous plugins or customizations. This has a negative impact on the user experience and SEO, as search engines penalize slower sites in rankings. Speed is a critical factor for both SEO and user satisfaction, underscoring the importance of judicious plugin usage.

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What is WP Engine?

WP Engine stands at the forefront of WordPress innovation, providing a comprehensive ecosystem that empowers businesses and agencies of all scales to create, manage, and optimize their digital presence with unparalleled confidence. This platform offers a diverse array of solutions, tools, and services tailored to meet the evolving needs of the modern web landscape.

• Managed WordPress: It delivered the hosting service with advanced security features and seamless scalability.
• Headless WordPress: Enabling developers to harness the power of WordPress as a headless CMS, facilitating the creation of lightning-fast, API-driven experiences.
• Developer-centric tools: providing a rich ecosystem of resources, including local development environments, version control integration, and powerful APIs, to streamline workflows and boost productivity.

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WP Engine’s Disadvantages

Cost

One of the primary disadvantages of WP Engine is its high cost compared to other hosting providers. While it provides a robust infrastructure and top-notch support, the pricing plans might not be suitable for budget-conscious individuals or small businesses with limited resources. 

Plugin restrictions

WP Engine prioritizes the security and performance of hosted websites but implements restrictions on certain plugins to preserve platform stability. This approach, while beneficial overall, can pose challenges for users who depend on specific, potentially resource-intensive or security-sensitive plugins. The platform's policy of disallowing some plugins, though aimed at maintaining optimal performance, may limit the flexibility and functionality of websites for some users.

Customization limitations

WP Engine provides a streamlined and secure environment for WordPress websites, but this comes at the cost of certain limitations. While ideal for many users, advanced developers may find the platform restrictive due to constrained access to server-level settings, limited PHP configuration options, and restrictions on database access and plugin usage. These constraints, implemented to maintain performance and security, can hinder highly customized WordPress implementations. As a result, power users who require granular control over their hosting environment might find WP Engine's managed approach too confining, potentially necessitating a more flexible hosting solution despite the trade-offs in ease of use and built-in optimizations.

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Webflow

We believe that the best alternative to WordPress is Webflow. So, what is Webflow?

Webflow is a comprehensive website development platform that empowers users to create stunning, custom websites without coding. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, coupled with a rich array of design elements and responsive features, enables individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses to create professional online presences with ease.

At its core, Webflow combines the visual design freedom of traditional graphic design tools with the power of modern web technologies. Users can leverage pre-built templates or start from scratch, utilizing a robust content management system (CMS) and seamless integrations with popular third-party services. This amalgamation of features facilitates a truly end-to-end website development experience, from design and content creation to hosting and maintenance.

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Key features of Webflow

No external plugin dependencies

Webflow provides a comprehensive platform that combines design, development, and hosting in a single ecosystem. Unlike traditional CMS platforms, Webflow doesn't rely on external plugins for core functionalities, ensuring a more stable and secure environment.

Built-in security

With managed hosting and automatic updates, Webflow prioritizes security out of the box. There's no need for additional security plugins or constant vigilance against vulnerabilities introduced by third-party extensions.

Responsive design tools

Powerful built-in responsive design features make it simple to create websites that look excellent on all devices. Webflow provides a user-friendly design interface with its simple drag-and-drop functionality that makes users quickly iterate and experiment with various design ideas, adding and positioning elements such as text, images, buttons, and more.

Integrated CMS flexibility

Webflow Editor is Webflow's content management system (CMS), where users can store and update all of their dynamic content. The Webflow CMS offers content management capabilities, allowing for complex content structures and simple updates. The Editor is designed to focus on managing user’s website content specifically, separate from editing the design or structure of the site.

Custom code

While Webflow is a fantastic option for beginners, it also provides the custom code option. This feature enables users to expand the platform's capabilities by improving their comprehensive websites. The option of adding custom code allows for extended functionality with advanced features, interactions, animations, and custom forms. Additionally, it gives users the flexibility to create custom styling options, integrate third-party tools, and build complex designs and layouts.

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Webflow use cases

Portfolio websites

Webflow's robust design capabilities make it the perfect platform for creatives looking to showcase their work. Photographers, designers, and artists can use Webflow to create their own artistic portfolios. It’s also a beneficial option for freelancers across diverse disciplines who seek to effectively market their services and expertise. With Webflow's flexibility, professionals can craft unique, memorable portfolio websites that truly represent their personal brand and body of work.

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Business websites

For companies seeking to elevate their professional online presence, Webflow offers a suite of business-oriented features that cater to various needs. Create engaging landing pages with scroll-triggered animations that capture visitors' attention and guide them through your value proposition. Users can also showcase their working team with interactive bios and company timelines. 

Webflow's integration capabilities allow users to connect with popular CRM tools, streamlining their lead generation process. With mobile-responsive designs, your website will provide a seamless viewing experience across all devices, ensuring that your business looks professional on any screen size.

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E-commerce 

Webflow's powerful e-commerce capabilities enable businesses to create sophisticated online shops. Users have the ability to design customizable product pages featuring images and variant selectors, allowing customers to explore their offerings in detail. Integrate secure payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal to ensure smooth, trustworthy transactions. Manage your inventory efficiently with built-in systems that include low-stock notifications, helping you stay on top of your supply chain. 

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Blogs 

Content creators and publishers can harness Webflow's CMS to build dynamic, engaging websites. Implement flexible content categorization and tagging systems to organize your articles and help visitors find relevant information quickly. Create custom author profiles and support multiple contributors, adding depth and variety to your content offerings. Enhance user engagement with related content suggestions, encouraging readers to explore more of your site. Utilize Webflow's built-in SEO tools to optimize meta tags and sitemaps, improving your website's visibility in search engine results and attracting a wider audience.

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Webflow case studies

SecondShare

In a crowded real estate market, SecondShare, a platform for vacation rental properties, faced the challenge of attracting potential buyers. They approached us at LowCode Agency because they wanted a website that would highlight their properties' unique features and create an immersive browsing experience. They also needed a platform that their team could easily manage and update to highlight their latest listings.

With our expertise, we created an intuitive and visually appealing platform with Webflow. We used its capabilities to design an interactive website where property owners can create detailed property listings. These listings include high-quality images, property descriptions, pricing details, availability calendars, and contact information.

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Travelers and potential investors appreciate the platform's ease of use and visually appealing design, which simplifies their search for the perfect property. Since its launch, SecondShare has witnessed increased user engagement and a higher number of inquiries about listed properties. The website has successfully decreased the bounce rate by 50%, indicating improved user engagement and a higher level of interest in SecondShare's offerings. Additionally, the company has experienced a significant boost in inquiries and sales, with a notable 20% increase in the conversion rate.

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Unofficial fun

Brent Doud, a passionate fan of sports, had a vision: he wanted to create a platform that could keep track of his favourite sports team schedules, and he wanted to share it with every sports fan. That's when he decided to reach out to LowCode Agency to make it a reality. 

The challenge was developing a website that could deliver updated schedules of users' favorite sports teams. The goal was to provide sports enthusiasts with a straightforward way to stay up to date about their team's games, ensuring the schedules were easily accessible on their devices. Our Webflow developers team created a user-friendly platform, that provided a seamless experience for sports fans, in which they could always stay updated about their interests. 

The result was Unofficial Fun. We integrated it with a mail newsletter system that sends monthly updated schedules to its users, making sure they’re always updated in terms of the teams they follow. We also created a free schedule maker tool for users to create customized schedules with up to 7 games per schedule. The schedules are downloadable as lock screen images, which makes it a breeze to know what’s happening with their favorite team at a glance. Lastly, we designed a sales landing page that shows users pricing options and streamlined the subscription payment process for unlimited schedule creation.

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Nest Investments

Nest Investments is a pioneering firm at the forefront of real estate advisory services, specializing in vacation rental property investments. They recognized the potential for high returns in the vacation rental market. Their mission is to empower individuals with the knowledge, tools, and insights needed to make informed investment decisions and optimize rental income in this dynamic sector.

The primary challenge for Nest Investments was to develop a comprehensive, user-friendly digital platform that would serve as the go-to resource for aspiring vacation rental property investors. This website needed to not only provide valuable information but also offer interactive tools and personalized guidance to help investors navigate the complexities of the vacation rental market. 

To address this challenge, Nest Investments partnered with LowCode Agency, leveraging our expertise in creating powerful, visually appealing websites. The collaboration resulted in an appealing website built on the Webflow platform, known for its flexibility and robust features. The website was designed with a focus on user experience, incorporating several key elements.

An intuitive design with a clean, modern interface allows users to access interactive investment calculators that were custom-built to help investors estimate potential returns, occupancy rates, and property management costs. The site also features an advanced property search function, allowing users to explore potential investment properties based on location, price, and other relevant criteria. 

The launch of the new Nest Investments website has been a success. The site achieved an outstanding 25% conversion rate, indicating that a quarter of website visitors are taking desired actions, such as signing up for consultations or downloading investment guides. Traffic growth has been remarkable, with a 40% increase in monthly website visits.

Through strategic collaboration and innovative web design, Nest Investments has successfully created a powerful digital platform that serves as a catalyst for vacation rental property investment. As the vacation rental market continues to evolve, Nest Investments is well-positioned to adapt and expand its offerings, further revolutionizing the way individuals approach property investment in this exciting sector.

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Webflow vs WordPress

In the realm of website creation, Webflow and WordPress stand out as powerful platforms, each with its own unique strengths.

Webflow caters to designers and developers seeking granular control over their website's design and functionality. Its intuitive interface, coupled with advanced design capabilities and extensive customization options, allows for perfect creations. The platform provides the ability to integrate code, and it also offers integrated CMS and eCommerce features, providing a comprehensive solution for various web projects.

WordPress, on the other hand, caters to a broader audience, from beginners to experienced users. It offers a versatile content management system (CMS) with a vast library of themes and plugins. WordPress allows for extensive customization, enabling users to create various types of websites, including blogs, portfolios, and business sites. 

Webflow follows a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, offering free and paid plans with different features and hosting options. WordPress, on the other hand, is free and open-source, but users need to purchase a domain and hosting plan to launch their websites. Additionally, premium themes and plugins are available for those seeking enhanced design and functionality.

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Ultimately, the choice between Webflow and WordPress depends on the specific needs of the project, the user's technical expertise, and the desired level of design control. Both platforms offer powerful solutions for creating compelling web experiences, each with its own set of advantages in the ever-evolving landscape of web development.

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Conclusion

As we've explored the recent controversy surrounding WordPress and WP Engine, as well as the inherent challenges of the WordPress ecosystem, it's clear that the web development landscape is evolving. While WordPress has long been a reliable platform, platforms like Webflow represent a significant shift towards more streamlined, secure, and design-centric solutions.

Webflow stands out as a compelling alternative, addressing many of the pain points associated with WordPress.

1. No plugin dependency: Webflow's all-in-one platform eliminates the need for external plugins, reducing security risks and performance issues.
2. Built-in security: With managed hosting and automatic updates, Webflow provides robust security out of the box.
3. Responsive design tools: The platform's intuitive design interface makes it simple to create websites that look excellent on all devices.
4. Integrated CMS: Webflow's content management system offers flexibility without the complexities often encountered in WordPress.
5. Custom code options: For those requiring advanced functionality, Webflow allows for seamless integration of custom code options for those requiring advanced functionality.

While WordPress remains a viable option for certain use cases, Webflow's user-friendly approach, combined with its powerful design capabilities and integrated hosting, positions it as the winning choice for businesses and individuals looking to create modern, efficient, and secure websites. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Webflow offers a forward-thinking solution that empowers users to bring their visions to life without the complexities and potential pitfalls associated with traditional content management systems.

By choosing Webflow, users can focus on creating exceptional digital experiences without getting bogged down by technical challenges or security concerns. As we move forward in the ever-changing world of web development, Webflow stands ready to lead the charge, offering a robust, flexible, and user-centric platform.

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Ready to elevate your web presence? Contact us at LowCode Agency and create your Webflow website with us today!