Compare the actual cost: Webflow VS Wordpress. What in the long run?

Compare the actual cost: Webflow VS Wordpress. What in the long run?

Every business owner and marketer have ever encountered this intersection: "What is the website to create a website?" And the two names that always float up are WordPress that everyone says "free" with a webflow that looks like a new platform. The following question is "And agree ... What is it cheaper?"

Many people see the starting price of WordPress and immediately decide. But after 1-2 years, he had to sit in a headache and the hidden costs that grew non-stop. Including the plug -in, freelance wages to solve problems, more and more expensive monthly costs Finally, ... the website that thinks "saving" turns into a "black hole to suck money" that pulls your business slowly. If you are feeling this Or is about to decide ... This article is the answer you are looking for. We will cut deep into "True Cost of Ownership - TO) of both platforms. Give you a clear picture That in the long run What is the investment of "worth" for your business?

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Real problems in life: "Cheap Website" that becomes "expensive burden"

Imagine You open a new company and want to have a beautiful website. To build credibility You get 2 quotations.

The first (WordPress): The cost of making a web, starting to look very reasonable. You feel that this is a "smart" choice and "saving budget".

The second leaf (Webflow): The web cost of starting looks higher. You may be hesitant and think that "Is it too expensive?"

Most businesses choose the first card, but then 6 months later ... The website started to slow, a plug -in update and hit the other until the webpage is broken, wanting to fix a little bit, then have to wait for the programmer, plus there is also a safety vulnerability email. Finally, you have to pay more for people to "repair" and "care" every month. It turns out that the cost is shocking. From the website that is considered economical Became a big cost that has never been in your business plan. This is a classic problem that actually occurs with many businesses.

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Why does that problem occur: the trap of the word "free" and overlooking "hidden costs"

This problem arises because we tend to compare only the "STICKER PRICE price" but do not look. "Total Cost of Ownership - TO) throughout its lifespan.

The main reason is from:

• The marketing of the word "free": WordPress is the Open Source software to download "free". "Software" to make it a real and effective website. You must have a lot of other elements.
• The cost assessment is too low: we tend to only charge hosting and themes. But forgot to think of the necessary premium plug (for SEO, speed, safety, form), updates, and the wages of developers that must be involved soon
• Overlooking the "time cost": When you or the team have to lose with the solution, the plug interlocking, horror updates, or coordination with freelance ... that time is the "cost" that has enormous value. Because it is the time that should be used to develop business Articles about the problem that Webflow can help solve the business. Explain this clearly
• Different cost structures: WordPress has a separate structure. (Decentralized) You must procure hosting, themes, plugins, and maintenance from many places together while the Webflow has a centralized structure. (Centralized) that includes important expenses In one package Makes it easier to predict

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If left, how will it affect: from "digital assets" to "technical debt"

Choosing a platform by just looking at the starting price and allowing the hidden cost to escalate. Will have a more serious impact than you think in the long run:

• Business opportunities: replace the website to be a powerful marketing tool. It turned out to be a "burden" that sucks the time and budget. Your team must waste time to solve problems instead of creating new campaigns. Or take care of customers
• Shaking safety: WordPress is a platform that is the top attack in the world. (Which sometimes can't be done because of fear of breaking the web) is to open the door to welcome hackers Which may cause damage to the information and reputation of the brand without evaluating
• Poor user experience (UX): Slow website because there are too many plug -in. Or the webpage that is broken sometimes Create a bad experience for visitors. And directly affects the conversion rate and the SEO rank
• Can't control the budget: You have no way to know how much the next month will be paid. Or next year, which plug -in will have to buy more Making the marketing planning very difficult

Finally, your website will become "Technical Debt" (Technical Debt) that is more than a day. And to move or solve fat in the future may be higher than the new creation from the beginning. Choosing a webflow for business websites is an interesting option. To avoid these problems

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Is there any solution? And where should it start: Compare the total cost (TCO)

The correct solution is to stop looking at "Starting price" and turned to analyze the "total cost" (TO) for the next 2-3 years instead. We come to separate the cost of each platform to be clearly visible:

WordPress: A La Carte

• Hosting: range from hundreds to thousands of baht per month. Quality and speed according to the price
• Theme (Theme): Good quality premium theme for $ 59 - $ 79 (pay once But may have an annual support fee)
• Plugins: This is a large cost that people tend to forget.
  • SEO: Yoast Seo Premium / Rank Math Pro (~ $ 69 / year)
  • Page Builder: Elementor Pro (~ $ 59/year)
  • Performance/Cache: WP Rocket (~ $ 59/year)
  • Security: Wordfence premium (~ $ 119/year)
  • Forms: Gravity Forms (~ $ 59/year)
• Care and maintenance (Maintenance): If you are not expert in technical You may have to hire people to take care of safety and updates (average 1,500 - 5,000 baht/month).
• Developers (Developer Cost): For editing design or adding complex functions (Calculated on hourly or projects)

Webflow: Total cost in the package (All-in-One)

• Monthly/annual package (Site Plan): Prices start at $ 14 - $ 39 per month (when annual payment). This price includes:
  • World -class hosting (AWS + Fastly CDN): Very fast and stable No need to find more
  • SSL Certificate: Installed for free
  • Safety and stability: Webflow all You don't have to worry about updates or vulnerability.
  • Body tool: SEO function, form, animation is created in the system. No need to rely on external plugs
• Developers (Developer Cost): The first website design and creation may be similar to WordPress, but the cost of editing or updating content in the long run is much lower. Because the marketing team can do it yourself via Editor Mode that is easy to use.

When looking at this, it can be seen that the cost of WordPress is distributed and has a high chance of escalating. While the cost of the Webflow is very clear and predicted. Which is an important information that The analysis from Kinsta also pointed out.

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Examples from the real thing that used to be successful: a case study "Brand-X" from the WordPress website to Webflow.

The company "Brand-X" (assumed name) is a SME business that starts with the WordPress website because he wants to save the first budget. The first year, everything seems to be smooth. But when entering the second year They started to encounter a heavy loading website. The marketing team wants to change the layout of the promotion page. But have to wait for the external developers for weeks And there are additional expenses every time

Turn point: After the website has been fallen for half a day because of the incorrect plugin update Resulting in enormous sales opportunities So they decided to look for other options. And discovered that Webflow is an option that is more interesting than WordPress in many dimensions.

Migration results: "Brand-X" has invested in improving and moving the website to all Webflow. The result is:

• Pagespeed Score is better. 70%: The website is noticeably faster, has a good effect on SEO and users experience.
• 100%monthly reduction: no longer have to pay for the monthly maintenance because the Webflow has managed all
• The marketing team works 300%faster: can go in to edit the promotion, add LANDING PAGE page, or adjust the message immediately via Editor Mode without having to wait for the programmer.
• Total costs (TO) in the first year decreased by 40%: Although the first web creation fee is high. But when including the care fee, the plugin, and the waste of time that has been paid with WordPress and Webflow "cheaper"

This is a clear example of how the "intelligent" investment. At first, how can it create a worthwhile return and reduce long -term burden?

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If you want to follow, what to do: Checklist assessed the TO cost for your website.

Want to know that for your business Which platform will it be worth it? Try using this checklist to calculate your own TCO.

Step 1: All of the necessary functions
Write items that your website "must have" such as blog, bilingual system, complex contact form, API connection, or E-Commerce

Step 2: Assess the cost of WordPress (per year)
[] hosting (hosting) = ............ baht/year
[] Premium theme values ​​(Theme)
= ............ baht/year
[] All necessary plugs = ............ baht/
year (In case of fixing 5-10 hours/year) = ............ baht/year,
including WordPress cost (first year) = ............ baht

Step 3: Evaluate the cost of the webflow (per year)
[] Site Plan that is suitable for your function x 12 = ............ baht/year
(for most CMS or business plans are enough),
including webflow costs (first year) = ........... baht

Step 4: Compare and do not forget the "time cost".
Bring the numbers to compare. And ask yourself, "Time", how much is your team to manage the problem on WordPress? How can the marketing team work faster on the Webflow will make money back to the business? If you are not sure Advisor to experts Website design and development with Webflow will help you see more clear images.

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Questions that people tend to wonder And the answers that are cleared

I have compiled a common question about comparing the cost of Webflow VS Wordpress.

Q1: WordPress "free" really? Why is there a lot of expenses?
A: The main software "free", but to make it a website that actually works, fast, and safe. "Not free", you have to pay hosting, themes, plugs in premium, and most importantly, maintenance and waste of time. Which is usually the largest hidden cost

Q2: Webflow seems to be more expensive than at first. Why do you say that long -term is cheaper?
A: Because Webflow includes important expenses (hosting, safety, system care) in one package. Causing no hidden costs while WordPress you have to pay separately for each part And has a pre -pre -maintenance fee When including the total cost for 2-3 years, the webflow often has a lower TCO for most business websites that need stability. Understand why Webflow CMS is better than WordPress will help to see more images.

Q3: I don't have any knowledge of code. Which platform is more suitable for me?
A: For the "content management" after the web is finished, Webflow is more suitable for people who do not have knowledge about code because Editor Mode is easy to use and very safe. You can edit the message, change the image, add articles without fear of the web. WordPress, despite the help of Page Builder, is still more complicated and at risk of making Layout break.

Q4: If I want a very complex function, will the WordPress be more flexible?
A: Yes, for a very specialized function. Or want the backyard system that is deeply adjusted (such as complex member systems, marketplace), the WordPress's ecosystem, may be more flexible. But for business websites, organization websites, or E-Commerce, most of the webflow functions are covered and sufficient. And can also be connected to other services via API seamlessly. Choosing more than anyone who should use Webflow depends on the needs of that project.

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Summary to be easy to understand + want to try to do

Choosing between Webflow and WordPress is not just about "price", but it is investment decisions. "Strategic". WordPress may seem to be a "economical" option on the first day, but comes with hidden costs, safety risks, and maintenance burdens that may hold your business growth in the long run.

On the other hand, the Webflow offers different models: clear cost, predictions, with speed, safety, and highest stability in one package. It is an investment that transforms the website from "burden" into a "digital assets" that are powerful and ready to grow up with your business.

Stop allowing your hidden costs to eat your precious budget and time! It's time to look farther. "Starting price" and turned to assess "True total cost" to select the "intelligent" investment for the future of your business.

If you are facing a WordPress website that is both slow and expensive Or looking for the best choice to create a new website We are ready to give advice! Click here to talk to our Webflow experts for free! We can help you assess the TO and show that How to move to the webflow, how can you unlock your business potential?

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