If switching from Contentful to Webflow sounds like moving from a developer’s playground to a designer’s dream, you’re absolutely right.
Contentful is API-first and developer-centric, offering maximum flexibility, but requiring technical expertise. Webflow, on the other hand, puts design, content, and SEO into one visual platform—no coding required.
This guide will help you decide if Contentful to Webflow migration is right for you, highlight the challenges, explain why to migrate, and walk you through the migration steps.
Contentful or Webflow – Which One’s Right for You?
When choosing between Webflow vs Contentful, it all comes down to how you want to build and manage your site.
If you’re a developer looking for full control over structured content and API integrations, Contentful is a strong choice. But if you want a no-code platform that lets you design, manage content, and publish easily, Webflow is the clear winner.
Let’s break it down.
What is Contentful?
Contentful is a headless CMS built for developers. It separates content from design, offering flexibility, but requires API integrations.
Benefits of Contentful:
- API-first approach for dynamic content distribution
- Highly scalable structured content management
- Supports multiple front-end frameworks
What is Webflow?
Webflow is a visual CMS that combines design, hosting, and content management in one platform—without coding.
Benefits of Webflow:
- No-code, drag-and-drop design
- Built-in SEO tools to improve rankings
- CMS collections for structured content
Why Migrate from Contentful to Webflow?
If managing Contentful Webflow integration feels like a never-ending puzzle, it might be time for an upgrade. Webflow’s content management system brings design, content, and hosting under one roof, streamlining your workflow and eliminating third-party tools.
Here’s why switching to Webflow makes sense:
1️. All-in-One Simplicity
No more juggling multiple tools! Webflow combines web design, CMS, and hosting, making it a one-stop solution. Unlike Contentful, which requires third-party hosting and developer expertise, Webflow lets you build and manage everything visually.
2️. A Designer’s Dream Workflow
Contentful is built for developers, while Webflow is designed for creative control. Webflow’s drag-and-drop editor lets you create stunning websites without coding—giving designers full freedom without relying on developers.
3️. Built-in SEO & Fast Hosting
Webflow is optimized for search engines right out of the box, offering:
✔ Clean, semantic code
✔ High-performance hosting
✔ Faster Site Speeds – Contentful requires external hosting, while Webflow's built-in hosting is optimized for performance.
✔ Clean HTML & CSS – Webflow automatically generates structured code.
✔ Built-in SEO Settings – Manage meta tags, alt text, and sitemaps without plugins.
✔ Schema Markup Support – Webflow makes it easy to add structured data for rich snippets.
While Contentful requires more technical setup for SEO, Webflow offers ease of use with built-in tools.
4️. Instant Updates – No Developer Needed
With Webflow, you can update content, make design changes, tweak layouts, and publish changes in real-time—no developer intervention needed. What you see is exactly what you get.
5️. Fewer Integrations, More Built-In Tools
Webflow provides built-in eCommerce, marketing integrations, and animations, reducing the need for third-party tools. Unlike Contentful, where integrations require APIs and manual setup, Webflow has everything ready to go.
6. Unmatched Security
Security is often overlooked, but Webflow takes it seriously.
Webflow prioritizes security with automatic core updates, security fixes, built-in firewalls, two-factor authentication, and hosting on Amazon Web Services. Contentful's security depends on the hosting platform it integrates with.
6. Collaboration Made Easy
Webflow’s real-time feedback and smooth workflow keep teams aligned and productive, whether you're working with designers, developers, or content creators.
Contentful also supports collaboration, though it may not be as visually oriented.
7. Interactions and Animations
For projects that require high interactivity and user engagement, Webflow allows you to create dynamic experiences without extensive coding.
Tired of Contentful’s complexity? Webflow’s visual CMS makes life easier.
8. E-commerce Integration
Webflow offers built-in e-commerce features, enabling you to create and manage online stores directly on the platform. Contentful can be integrated with e-commerce platforms via APIs.
9. Community and Templates
Webflow boasts a vibrant community and a marketplace full of templates, add-ons, and resources to enhance your projects. While Contentful also supports community and collaboration tools, its focus is more on the technical aspects of content management, than visual design and templates.
Contentful to Webflow Migration: What are the Challenges
1. Content Restructuring:
Challenge: Contentful structures content as raw data for API-based delivery, while Webflow uses a visual CMS. You need to map your existing collections into Webflow’s CMS structure, which can be complex if your content has deeply nested relationships.
Solution: Use tools like Zapier, Make, or Workato to automate data transfer and reduce manual effort. Conduct a detailed content audit to identify critical relationships.
2. Formatting & Styling Adjustments:
Challenge: Contentful separates content from presentation, requiring manual adjustments in Webflow for layouts, images, and text formatting.
Solution: Recreate typography, spacing, and layout styles using Webflow’s drag-and-drop editor.
3. Handling Media Files & Assets:
Challenge: Webflow manages images differently than Contentful. You need to re-upload images and adjust file paths.
Solution: Use bulk asset importers and Webflow’s built-in image optimization for performance.
4. Custom Features & Third-Party Integrations:
Challenge: Custom scripts and API-based workflows may need to be adapted for Webflow.
Solution: Rebuild dynamic content elements using Webflow’s CMS Collections, and connect third-party services via APIs.
SEO Preservation & URL Mapping:
Challenge: Migration can affect SEO rankings if not properly managed.
Solution: Set up 301 redirects, migrate meta tags, and use Webflow’s built-in SEO tools to optimize titles and descriptions. Note that while Webflow simplifies SEO, Contentful offers flexibility through its API-driven approach, which may require more technical setup.
Additional Considerations:
Content Mapping: Ensure content aligns with Webflow’s CMS, paying attention to relational content structures.
Data Integrity: Check data accuracy before migrating to avoid loss or corruption.
URL Mapping & Redirection: Implement proper redirects to maintain SEO rankings and prevent broken links.
Design Consistency: Keep design consistent with your brand.
Training & User Testing: Provide team training and conduct user acceptance testing before launch.
How to Migrate from Contentful to Webflow – Step-by-Step Guide
Contentful to Webflow migration involves several key steps. Here’s a detailed overview to help you navigate the process smoothly:
Step 1: Organize Your Content
Contentful structures content as raw data for API-based delivery, while Webflow uses a visual CMS. You need to map your existing collections into Webflow’s CMS, especially if your content has deeply nested relationships.
Use tools like Zapier, Make, or Workato to automate data transfer. Conduct a thorough content audit to identify key relationships and ensure everything is mapped correctly.
Step 2: Adjust Layout and Styling
Contentful separates content from presentation, meaning manual adjustments in Webflow are necessary for layouts, images, and text formatting.
Recreate typography, spacing, and layout styles using Webflow’s drag-and-drop editor to maintain design consistency across all pages.
Step 3: Manage Media and Files
Webflow manages images differently than Contentful, requiring you to re-upload images and adjust file paths.
Use bulk asset importers and Webflow’s built-in image optimization tools to ensure optimal performance and proper file handling.
Step 4: Adjust Custom Features and Integrations
Custom scripts and API-based workflows from Contentful may need adjustments to fit Webflow’s structure.
Rebuild dynamic content elements using Webflow’s CMS Collections, and integrate third-party services via APIs to maintain your website’s functionality.
Step 5: Preserve SEO and Map URLs
Migration can affect SEO rankings if URL structures and metadata aren’t properly handled.
Set up 301 redirects, migrate meta tags, and use Webflow’s SEO tools to optimize titles, descriptions, and content to preserve SEO value.
Step 6: Test and Launch
Ensure everything works seamlessly before going live. Test dynamic content, verify URL structure, and perform a comprehensive SEO audit.
Once verified, launch your Webflow site confidently.
These edits aim to enhance clarity and ensure that the information is accurate and easy to follow.
Contentful to Webflow Migration - Final words
Migrating from Contentful to Webflow opens up new opportunities for building and managing your website.
While Contentful Webflow integration offers flexibility, Webflow’s all-in-one content management system simplifies design, hosting, and SEO—all in one place. If you're looking for a more straightforward approach, Webflow reduces the need for ongoing technical support.
Need help with the migration? Well, that's where our team comes in!
With a deep understanding of both Contentful and Webflow, we’ll guide you through the transition, ensuring your digital presence remains a masterpiece—not a mishap. Your brand identity is safe with us!
Contentful to Webflow: What to expect from us?
Creative Corner is a leading Webflow agency, specializing in web design and development, while bringing all digital services together to deliver high-quality results.
With us by your side, it will feel more like a thrilling adventure.
Here's what to expect when you team up with us:
- We'll meticulously analyze your Contenful design and flawlessly rebuild it in Webflow, ensuring every detail is preserved.
- We won't leave you in the dark. Expect updates, insights, and a front-row seat to the entire process.
- We're committed to ensuring your website remains true to your brand identity. Consistency and recognizability are our priorities.
Get in touch today, and give your website the upgrade it deserves!
