How to build a professional website with Webflow or WordPress

Why Your Business Needs a Professional Website

A professional website is essential for South African businesses in 2025. It's often the first impression potential customers have of your company, and it works around the clock to generate leads, showcase services, and build credibility. Whether you're a service provider, retailer, or consultant, a well-designed website establishes trust and makes it easy for customers to find and contact you.

Building a website doesn't require coding skills or large budgets. Modern platforms like WordPress and Webflow make it possible to create professional sites without technical expertise. This guide compares both options and walks you through building your site.

WordPress vs Webflow: Which Should You Choose?

Both platforms can create excellent websites, but they suit different needs and skill levels.

WordPress: Flexibility and Ecosystem

WordPress powers over 40% of websites globally. It's open-source, meaning the software is free, though you'll pay for hosting and potentially premium themes or plugins.

Best for: Businesses wanting maximum flexibility, extensive plugin options, and budget-conscious solutions. Ideal if you plan to manage content regularly or need e-commerce functionality.

Considerations: Requires more setup, plugin management, and ongoing maintenance. You'll need to handle security updates, backups, and performance optimization.

Webflow: Design Control and Modern Interface

Webflow is a visual design tool that generates clean code. It offers more design flexibility than WordPress page builders while maintaining ease of use.

Best for: Businesses prioritizing design quality, wanting a modern interface, and preferring less ongoing maintenance. Great for agencies or businesses with design sensibilities.

Considerations: Higher monthly costs, steeper learning curve for complex features, and less extensive plugin ecosystem than WordPress.

Getting Started with WordPress

If you choose WordPress, follow these steps to build your site.

Step 1: Choose Hosting and Domain

Select a hosting provider. For South African businesses, consider local options like Afrihost, Hetzner, or international providers like SiteGround or WP Engine. Look for:

• WordPress-optimized hosting
• SSL certificates included
• Good uptime guarantees
• South African data centers if speed is critical

Purchase a domain name that matches your business. Use your business name or a relevant keyword. Many hosting providers offer free domain registration for the first year.

Step 2: Install WordPress

Most hosting providers offer one-click WordPress installation. Log into your hosting control panel, find the WordPress installer, and follow the prompts. This creates your site's foundation.

Step 3: Choose a Theme

Select a WordPress theme that matches your business style. Free themes like Astra, GeneratePress, or Kadence offer good starting points. Premium themes like Divi or Avada provide more design options but cost R500-R2000.

Consider themes designed for your industry. A restaurant might choose a food-focused theme, while a consulting firm might prefer a professional, corporate design.

Step 4: Install Essential Plugins

Plugins add functionality to WordPress. Essential plugins include:

• Yoast SEO: Optimizes your site for search engines
• Contact Form 7 or WPForms: Creates contact forms
• WooCommerce: Adds e-commerce functionality if needed
• UpdraftPlus: Handles backups
• Wordfence: Provides security

Don't install too many plugins—each adds complexity and potential security risks. Stick to essential ones.

Step 5: Create Your Pages

Build essential pages:

• Homepage: Clear value proposition and call-to-action
• About: Your story and why customers should trust you
• Services/Products: What you offer
• Contact: How to reach you

Use WordPress's block editor (Gutenberg) to create content. It's intuitive and doesn't require coding knowledge.

Getting Started with Webflow

If you choose Webflow, here's how to build your site.

Step 1: Sign Up and Choose a Plan

Create a Webflow account. Start with the free plan to learn, then upgrade to a Site plan (around R200-R500 monthly) when ready to publish. Webflow includes hosting, so you don't need separate hosting.

Step 2: Start with a Template

Webflow offers professional templates. Browse their template library and choose one that fits your business. Templates range from free to premium (R500-R2000). Starting with a template is faster than building from scratch.

Select a template, then click "Use as template" to begin customizing.

Step 3: Customize Your Design

Webflow's visual editor lets you customize every element:

• Change colors, fonts, and spacing
• Modify layouts and sections
• Add or remove elements
• Adjust responsive designs for mobile

Click any element to edit it. The interface shows you exactly what you're changing, making it intuitive even for beginners.

Step 4: Add Your Content

Replace template content with your own:

• Update headlines and text
• Add your logo and brand colors
• Insert your images (use high-quality photos)
• Create your service or product pages

Webflow's CMS (Content Management System) is powerful for sites with lots of content, like blogs or portfolios.

Step 5: Set Up Forms and Interactions

Add contact forms using Webflow's form element. Configure where submissions go (email or a third-party service like Zapier).

Add interactions for engagement: hover effects, scroll animations, or button transitions. These make your site feel modern and professional.

Essential Elements for Any Website

Regardless of platform, include these elements for a professional site.

Clear Value Proposition

Visitors should immediately understand what you do and why they should care. Your homepage headline should be specific and benefit-focused. "Professional Accounting Services for Cape Town SMEs" is clearer than "Welcome to Our Website."

Contact Information

Make it easy for visitors to reach you. Include:

• Phone number (clickable on mobile)
• Email address
• Physical address if relevant
• Contact form
• WhatsApp Business link (popular in South Africa)

Social Proof

Build trust with:

• Customer testimonials
• Case studies or success stories
• Client logos
• Reviews or ratings

Mobile Responsiveness

Ensure your site works perfectly on mobile devices. Both WordPress and Webflow help with this, but always test on actual phones. Most South African users browse on mobile.

Optimize for Search Engines

Help potential customers find your site through Google searches.

Basic SEO Practices

Implement:

• Descriptive page titles and meta descriptions
• Header tags (H1, H2) for structure
• Alt text for images
• Fast loading times
• Local SEO if you serve specific areas

For WordPress, use Yoast SEO plugin. Webflow has built-in SEO settings in the page settings panel.

Launch and Maintain

Once your site is ready, publish it and share it with your network.

Pre-Launch Checklist

Before going live:

• Test all links and forms
• Check mobile responsiveness
• Proofread all content
• Set up Google Analytics
• Configure backups

Ongoing Maintenance

Keep your site updated:

• Update WordPress core, themes, and plugins regularly
• Review and update content quarterly
• Monitor site speed and performance
• Back up regularly (automate this)

Conclusion

Building a professional website is achievable with WordPress or Webflow. WordPress offers flexibility and a vast ecosystem, while Webflow provides superior design control and modern interfaces. Choose based on your priorities: budget, design needs, and technical comfort level.

Start with a template, customize it with your content and branding, and focus on clear communication of your value proposition. A professional website doesn't need to be complex—it needs to be clear, functional, and trustworthy. Launch, gather feedback, and iterate. Your website is a living asset that should evolve with your business.