Since 2012, Webflow has been pioneering the no-code web development movement to make building high-end websites faster, easier, all while making these sites more accessible to startups and small businesses.

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Before Webflow, businesses were forced to either go the full-custom route or they had to use a templated builder like Squarespace or Wordpress to get something up and running. 

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The problem with both of these options is that there isn’t a middle ground between custom and affordable. The full custom route is expensive and time consuming while the templated route doesn’t offer businesses the ability to create a unique experience to stand out.

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This is where Webflow comes in.

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With Webflow, we can build a completely custom website while still having the ease of use that comes with other platforms.

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But can we build complex web apps with Webflow?

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Yes and no! 

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Before we dive into the web app creation process, let’s breakdown Webflows’ core functionality out of the box.

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What is Webflow for?

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For starters, Webflow is a complex content management system and no-code custom development tool to build high-end marketing and portfolio websites.

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Enterprise companies like GrubHub, Monday.com, VICE, and DropBox utilize Webflow for its ultra-fast speed to market and ease of use for both marketing and product teams to use alongside agencies.

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On the opposite side, Webflow’s no-code and blank-canvas designer makes it a great option for small businesses and startups who want a high-end, custom design without the headache of a custom build from a time and financial standpoint.

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To illustrate how Webflow fits into the tech stack for tech companies for example, Webflow acts as the marketing site that focuses on SEO, driving leads and overall brand positioning. This is what is attached to the domain.

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From there, the vast majority of tech startups then add their product to a subdomain that’s navigated to from the Webflow website. This allows a custom built platform to integrate well with Webflow, but you lose the ease of use on the app side due to not using the Webflow builder.

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Push the limits of Webflow

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Although Webflow is blurring the lines between marketing sites and web apps more than ever thanks to enterprise level features and the introduction of Webflow Apps, it still doesn’t have the same logic and data storage capabilities that web apps require.

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Since Webflow released their developer tools in mid-2023, the platform as a whole has become much more capable thanks to highly-vetted 3rd party apps from trusted partners such as Memberstack, Hubspot, Printful, and more!

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Currently there are ~130 apps available to Webflow users all with the same goals: expand the functionality of Webflow.

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To further push the limits of Webflow’s core functionality and move closer to app dev, Webflow also released the Webflow DevLink which allows developers to visually develop custom React components. Once built, developers can export these React components top use with their app.

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Plus, you can even connect these Webflow based components to your local development environment top quickly use them.

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Although DevLink is still in Open Beta from the Webflow Labs department, it’s a massive leap in the right direction for web-app developers who want to use Webflow.

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But what if there was a way to build application functionality to a Webflow website?

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Introducing Wized

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By utilizing the Webflow attribute system and the Webflow REST API, we can connect Webflow to a database, such as Xano, to store data such as user actions and member data.

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But what is the difference between a website and a web app?

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A website displays a static page that does not offer users the ability to manipulate data. On the flipside, a web app allows users to manipulate data.

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For example, a blog would be an example of a website, but a calculator would be an example of a web app.

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With Wized, we are able to bring a Javacript framework to Webflow to create advanced logic based on user actions. Wizard replaces custom coding and React and allows us to build interactive applications right in Webflow.

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Because we are able to use Webflow as the front end, this speeds up the development drastically and gives us the low-code flexibility that we all love.

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To put it simply, Wized helps us connect Webflow elements to a data source. As long as your data source has a REST API to connect to, we can connect it with Wized.

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With Wized, the sky's the limit with what you can build in Webflow. Here are a few examples of applications that you can build!

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• User generated customized product
• Classifieds app
• Marketplace
• Custom booking app

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But why should you use Wized instead of just building your application full custom?

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Wized brings the flexibility of Webflow design and development and speed to publish to application building which means that your product team can build within your website and app right alongside your marketing team.

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If you are looking to expand the functionality of Webflow or if you’re looking to build the next AirBnb, Wized is a great route for a sustainable and scalable app.