Webflow’s recent price increase of approximately 44% for its CMS plans has sparked significant reactions among its user base, particularly among freelancers, agencies, and developers. Here are some key points and side effects based on user feedback:
User Reactions and Concerns
- Shock and Discontent:
- Many users expressed shock and dissatisfaction with the steep price hike, describing it as “absurd” and a potential deal-breaker for continuing with Webflow
- The increase has made it challenging for some users to justify the cost to their clients, especially when compared to other platforms like WordPress.
- Impact on Business Operations:
- Some users mentioned that the price increase has led them to reconsider their hosting options, with plans to move sites to their own servers or explore alternative tools
- Agencies and freelancers, particularly those with clients in third-world countries, find the new pricing structure difficult to manage due to the disparity in cost of living
- Feature Development and Expectations:
- Users have voiced concerns that despite the price increase, some key features like Memberships, Logic, and Multilingual support are still in beta or under development
- There is frustration over the lack of a clear roadmap and timeline for the release of these essential features.
- Positive Feedback on Platform Evolution:
- Some users acknowledged the improvements Webflow has made over the years, such as enhancements in CMS performance, WebP support, and new beta functionalities like Memberships and Logic
- Webflow has introduced new workspace plans aimed at freelancers and agencies, which include features like full CMS access on unhosted sites and free guest access in client workspaces.
Webflow’s Response
Webflow has attempted to address these concerns by:
- Locking existing plans into their current pricing for one year to ease the transition
- Highlighting the significant investments and improvements made to the platform, which they believe justify the price increase
- Promising continued development and enhancements, particularly for features still in beta
While Webflow’s price increase has caused discontent and operational challenges for many users, the company maintains that the changes are necessary to support the platform’s growth and future developments. It’s important to note that WordPress is free with the costs coming from design and hosting.