[thesergie]

I'm one of the co-founders and designers at Webflow. I have never coded an entire site by hand, but I built this entire responsive site in Webflow. This WYSIWYG doesn't disregard how the web works - users actually have to know some CSS to build a responsive layout. This restriction limits a lot of Average Joe's (so no Geocities here). I actually learned all the intricacies of CSS by building sites in Webflow. Same goes for the designers out there using tool and building actual sites for the first time.

It boils down to investment and return. If designers can build responsive sites faster and easier with great code output (see source code) using a WYSIWYG, then it makes more sense to invest in that versus learning how to write the same code. Front end devs use frameworks like Bootstrap and Foundation to cut development time. Webflow serves the same purpose, but all the framework components are made visual.

This visual abstraction makes it more accessible for more people just like these frameworks made web dev easier. There is always the possibility of people using Webflow and creating poorly-coded websites, but anyone trying to code can do the same.

[ultimatedelman]

That's totally fine and understandable. However, what if I decide that I want to do something a bit more complex? Data-driven, even? What if I want more interactivity? Now I am limited by what your tool can do, and I've already taken the time to learn to use your tool and build a site in your ecosystem rather than learning how to code myself and be unrestricted in what I can do.

Again, I'm sure your intent with this product is not "build every website out there," but I am concerned by those with a little knowledge and ambition using your site as the easy way out for making a website rather than taking the time to actually learn how to do all those things for themselves.

[Kequc]

I find I have the same problem when I enlist the use of any tool more complex than jQuery, haml, sass, coffeescript. Even if it is something like a jQuery plugin, bootstrap or foundation. Those addons are great as a way to impress your boss and get to a starting point quickly or early. As soon as something needs to become sufficiently complex that's when I really start to regret my decisions.

I imagine this tool is perfect for creating a beautiful landing page or similar. Obviously one isn't going to try and use it to build anything enterprise grade.

But there lots of jQuery plugins or css frameworks out there but they largely seem to have active user bases.