"I just want a straight answer. How much is this actually going to cost me?"
I hear this question almost daily, and I get the frustration. Webflow's pricing structure isn't exactly straightforward, and most online breakdowns gloss over the real-world costs that add up once you're in the thick of building.
After years of helping small businesses navigate this exact confusion at Bloomr Design, I've learned that those neat pricing tables only tell about half the story. Let’s cut through the marketing speak and get to the real numbers, while also looking at the different types of plans you might actually use.
First things first – what is Webflow? It's a website building platform that combines visual design tools with powerful hosting infrastructure. Think of it as Photoshop meets WordPress, but with less technical headache.
Unlike most platforms that bundle everything into one subscription, webflow offers their pricing into two categories:
And yes, you generally need both. This is surprise #1 for most people, especially if you have house teams or work with a freelance agency that needs access to your project.
Many clients ask where the plans start. For most small businesses, I can almost guarantee you'll need at least the CMS plan. The Basic plan doesn't allow for dynamic content like blog posts or team members and nearly every site needs at least one of these features.
If you’re running e-commerce, remember that they also have separate plan tiers for online stores, and those come with transaction fees depending on the tier.
The starter plan (or free plan) is perfect for solo users starting out. Many small businesses can actually get by with it if they're only managing one website. But the moment you need advanced collaboration like granting access to multiple team members, contractors, or an outside freelance agency, you’ll need to upgrade.
For a typical small business website using the CMS plan and an annual Core workspace for one person:
That's just your baseline. The real costs come from design and development.
Design and Development: Where Your Budget Goes
As a freelance agency ourselves, we typically see most small business websites falling in the $5,000-$10,000 range for professional design and development, plus the annual platform costs.
Your website isn't a "build it and forget it" asset. Budget for:
Think of your website like a car – regular maintenance is far cheaper than waiting for a breakdown.
Additional Costs to Consider
Why is Webflow so expensive?
Webflow combines professional-grade design tools with hosting. If you only need a simple brochure site, the cost may be overkill.
Is paying for Webflow worth it?
Absolutely, when you need design flexibility, frequent content changes, or to empower house teams and outside collaborators.
The benefits of using Webflow really shine when you need both design flexibility and content management capabilities without the technical overhead of more complex systems.
Is Webflow more expensive than WordPress?
Yes, if looking only at the starter plan cost. But over time, the value and reduced maintenance can outweigh the cheaper upfront price.
WordPress itself is free, but the total cost of ownership includes:
I've seen too many businesses lured by WordPress's "free" price tag, only to end up spending more over time dealing with security issues, plugin conflicts, and maintenance needs.
For businesses weighing custom vs template website options, Webflow often provides better long-term value due to built-in hosting, better security, and less maintenance overhead.
Is Webflow more expensive than Wix?
On pure platform costs, yes. Wix's comparable business plans run $16-$45/month in 2025, while Webflow starts at $14/month plus potential workspace costs.
But here's what that price difference gets you with Webflow:
Wix is like renting an apartment where you can't paint the walls. Webflow is like owning a house – it costs more, but you can customize everything and your investment grows in value.
If you want to find out more about your options, check out our guide to the top website builders to compare them.
Monthly vs. Annual Billing
They offers significant discounts for annual billing across all types of plans. For a CMS site with two team members on Core workspaces, switching from monthly to annual billing would save you $168 per year.
Almost all of our clients choose annual billing after seeing these numbers.
If you’re on a tight budget, the free “Business Starter” template is worth a look before committing to a paid plan. Webflow's free "Business Starter" template includes:
While it won't win design awards, it's clean, professional, and a solid foundation. For something more customized, our Webflow websites for small businesses service can help you create something that truly stands out.
Before committing to any platform, proper planning is essential. Our website planing guide walks you through the key questions to ask before spending a dime.
If you're coming from the design world, our Figma to Webflow guide explains how to efficiently translate designs into a working Webflow site.
Webflow isn’t the cheapest option, but if you value brand presentation, advanced collaboration, and the flexibility to grow, it’s a smart investment. It offers exceptional value for businesses that:
If you're operating on a very tight budget and need only basic functionality, platforms like Squarespace or Wix might be a better starting point.
The businesses most satisfied with their investment are those who took the time to properly assess their needs and plan their project – whether working with an agency like ours or investing in their own learning.
For more detailed information about specific pricing and plans, visit Webflow website directly.
Here at Bloomr Design, we offer bespoke website development services by creating affordable web design for small business just like yours every day.
Why not drop us a line? Reach out to schedule a free consultation today and learn more about our web design services for small business!
Getting started is simple: book a call, request your personalised quote, and let's work together to grow your business!
