Two names appear the most frequently when finding and implementing a content management system (CMS)
All is fair in love and marketing...that's the saying, right?
When it comes to your company, choosing the right platform to host your website you have to be particular. In this blog article, we look at HubSpot and Webflow to compare what they can offer you.
Both platforms offer unique features and functionalities tailored to the needs of businesses, marketers and web designers alike. Keep reading to find out more.
An overview of HubSpot and Webflow
HubSpot: The business-wide platform powered by a Smart CRM and AI
HubSpot has established itself as a powerhouse as an AI-driven Smart CRM being at the centre of your sales, inbound marketing, website development, service and operations.
It's renowned for its comprehensive suite of tools designed to attract, engage and delight customers throughout their buyer's journey.
Here's a glimpse into what HubSpot brings to the table:
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Marketing automation
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Smart CRM integrations
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Analytics and reporting
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Content Management System (CMS)
Webflow: The design-centric web platform
Webflow distinguishes itself with its emphasis on design flexibility and creative freedom. It caters to designers and developers who prioritise aesthetics and functionality.
Here's what sets Webflow apart:
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Visual development environment
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Customisation and flexibility
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E-commerce capabilities
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Hosting and performance
Thinking of another hosting platform, like WordPress? We've got a blog on that too. Click here to read the blog –– HubSpot Vs. WordPress: Which is the better content optimisation software?
The features
Simply using a platform to host your website is no longer enough. As marketers, developers and designers, we need more.
The features that each platform offers is vital in the decision making process. Both HubSpot and Webflow offer powerful tools for content management, blogging, landing pages, website design, analytics, email marketing and automation.
HubSpot:
HubSpot offers a comprehensive suite of tools that cater to every aspect of inbound marketing, sales, website develop and business operations.
With seamless CRM integration and a user-friendly CMS, HubSpot prioritises efficiency and results, making it the go-to choice for businesses looking to attract, engage, and delight customers throughout their buyer's journey.
From automated workflows and email marketing to CRM integration and analytics reporting, HubSpot ensures that businesses can attract, engage and delight customers throughout their buyer's journey.
With a user-friendly CMS and additional hubs for sales and service management, HubSpot stands out as an all-in-one marketing platform that prioritises efficiency and results:
Marketing capabilities |
SEO capabilities |
Web development capabilities |
HubSpot's marketing automation tools enable users to create automated email campaigns, lead nurturing sequences and personalised content delivery based on user behaviour and interactions. |
HubSpot offers a range of built-in SEO tools, including on-page SEO recommendations, keyword tracking and content optimisation suggestions. | HubSpot's CMS provides a user-friendly interface for creating, editing and organising website content, including blogs, landing pages and website pages. |
HubSpot integrates seamlessly with its CRM platform, allowing users to track and manage leads, contacts and customer interactions across marketing, sales and service channels.
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Users can develop and implement SEO content strategies using HubSpot's content strategy tool, which provides insights into keyword opportunities, competitor analysis and topic clusters. | HubSpot's drag-and-drop page builder simplifies the web development process, allowing users to create and customise web pages without the need for coding or technical expertise. |
HubSpot offers social media management tools for scheduling posts, monitoring mentions and analysing social media performance metrics, helping users optimise their social media marketing efforts. |
HubSpot's SEO audit tool helps identify technical SEO issues such as broken links, page speed optimisation and mobile responsiveness, allowing users to improve their website's search engine rankings. | HubSpot's templates and themes are designed to be mobile-responsive, ensuring that websites display correctly and function smoothly across devices and screen sizes. |
The all-new Content Hub
Content creation is stepping up a level as marketers need to create more content and distribute it across multiple channels to help customers throughout the customer journey, giving them the most personalised approach as possible.
HubSpot announced Content Hub in April 2024.
Content Hub is an all-in-one, AI-powered Content Marketing software that helps marketers create and manage content that fuels the entire customer journey.
This new Hub builds on what the CMS Hub used to be while adding a plethora of new tools. AI is baked into the software to save users time, build efficiencies, and transform your customers' journeys.
The new AI features include:
- AI image creation: Easy AI-powered image creation through simple prompts
- AI blog post generator: Create blog posts in minutes using AI assistance
- Brand voice: Keep your brand voice consistent, even with AI-generated content
- Content remix: Generate additional content formats from existing content quickly and easily
The new Content Hub also includes many other features like SEO recommendations, video and podcast hosting and membership-based content that allows you to create personalised content for your audience's individual needs.
Sounds perfect right? Learn more about Content Hub and it's features in our dedicated blog: Unveiling HubSpot's latest addition.
Or watch our on-demand webinar from the people that made it here.
Webflow:
The platform's focus on customisation and flexibility allows for endless creative possibilities, while its e-commerce capabilities and hosting options ensure that your website performs at its best.
With Webflow, you can bring your design vision to life and create a website that not only looks good but also functions seamlessly:
Marketing capabilities |
SEO capabilities |
Web development capabilities |
Webflow integrates with popular marketing tools such as Mailchimp, Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel, enabling users to track website performance, capture leads and analyse visitor behaviour. | Webflow allows users to create SEO-friendly website structures with clean HTML markup, customisable meta tags and semantic URLs. |
Webflow's visual editor enables users to design websites visually, utilising drag-and-drop functionality to create layouts, customise styles and add interactions without writing code. |
Users can create customisable forms within Webflow to capture leads and gather customer information, integrating them with email marketing platforms or CRM systems for lead nurturing and follow-up. | Users can customise meta titles, descriptions and image alt text for individual pages, optimising them for search engines and improving click-through rates in search results. |
Webflow provides extensive customization options, including the ability to create custom animations, interactions and responsive designs tailored to specific branding and design requirements. |
Webflow's e-commerce capabilities allow users to create and manage online stores, including product listings, shopping carts and checkout processes, facilitating online sales and revenue generation. | Webflow automatically generates XML sitemaps, making it easier for search engines to crawl and index website content, leading to improved visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs). | Users can integrate custom HTML, CSS and JavaScript code into Webflow projects, allowing for advanced customisation and integration with third-party services and APIs. |
User-friendliness
Whichever platform you ultimately choose, you need to be at the heart of it. If you and your team can't easily navigate and use the platform, then it's not suitable for you.
HubSpot:
HubSpot is known worldwide for its easy-to-use interface and its own drag-and-drop functionalities for building marketing assets. You don't even need tons of web development knowledge to create an incredible website that performs.
The user interface is designed with simplicity in mind, featuring clear navigation, organised menus and intuitive tools that are easy to understand and use.
Pre-built templates are available for websites, landing pages, emails and other marketing assets, allowing users to create professional-looking content without starting from scratch. Add in the AI capabilities to help with content creation and you're good to go.
Guides and tutorials to help you get started quickly and familiarise yourself with the platform's features and functionalities. HubSpot Academy can help you with more complex tasks and there are loads of comprehensive customer support resources, including knowledge base articles, video tutorials, community forums and dedicated support teams to assist users with any questions or issues they may encounter.
Webflow
Webflow is slightly more complicated in the sense that you need to be somewhat familiar with basic design principles and have some experience with web development to make the most out of the platform.
Webflow's visual editor allows users to design websites visually, which can make the platform more accessible for those who prefer a more intuitive, drag-and-drop approach to web design.
Similarly to HubSpot, Webflow provides extensive documentation, tutorials and learning resources, but mastering all of its features and capabilities may require some time and effort. Users with prior experience in web design or development may find it easier to adapt to Webflow's interface and workflows.
The platform is great for customisation and control over design elements, animations, interactions and responsive layouts. However, this free-reign may also introduce complexity, especially for beginners or those with limited technical expertise.
Webflow boasts an active community of designers, developers and users who share tips, best practices and feedback, creating a supportive environment for learning and collaboration among users of all skill levels.
Pricing
Both serve their purpose and have their own merits, but the distinction lies in their features and flexibility, which directly correlate with their pricing. Webflow efficiently caters to startups with limited budgets for website development, providing good value for their money.
However, for SMEs or enterprise-level businesses seeking advanced functionalities and scalability, Webflow may fall short.
In essence, while Webflow does the job competently, its suitability depends on the specific needs and resources of the business.
HubSpot:
Content Hub offers three editions: Starter, Professional, and Enterprise, each tailored to suit various budgets and equipped with tools to address distinct customer needs.
This ensures that regardless of whether you're part of a small business or a thriving enterprise, you can discover a plan that aligns perfectly with your requirements.
Content Hub offers three editions: Starter, Professional, and Enterprise, each tailored to suit various budgets and equipped with tools to address distinct customer needs, including:
- Content remix: Generate additional content formats out of a simple blog post.
- Brand voice: Keep your content consistent and on-brand with AI-generated content.
- AI blog writer: Create blog posts quickly with AI.
- Lead capture: Use HubSpot forms to capture leads and automatically sync them with your CRM.
- Scalable CMS: Build a website using HubSpot’s CMS software, driving traffic, generating leads and growing revenue quickly.
- HubSpot AI: AI is here to stay so let it do the heavy-lifting for you with content writing, report generation and more.
This ensures that regardless of whether you're part of a small business or a thriving enterprise, you can discover a plan that aligns perfectly with your requirements.
It’s also important to note that HubSpot includes hosting and security, and requires no plugins, ultimately saving on annual fees and maintenance.
Webflow:
Pricing correct as of March 2024
Webflow, like most hosting platforms, offer a free version with basic features for an 'entry-level' site. They offer various plans depending on what you need.
HubSpot or Webflow
Both HubSpot and Webflow offer unique features and functionalities tailored to the needs of businesses, marketers and web designers.
Webflow stands out with its design-centric approach, offering flexibility, customisation and e-commerce capabilities while HubSpot excels in providing an all-in-one marketing platform with tools for automation, CRM integration and analytics.
Depending on your specific needs and budget, either platform can be a valuable asset for your content strategy.
Want to learn more about HubSpot and how to utilise each Hub? That’s what we’re experts in. Check out our blogs for all you need to know or speak to our team.