WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:02.096 --> 00:00:03.176 It's the WP minute. 00:00:03.676 --> 00:00:07.666 Let's talk about learning more about WordPress from the software around us. 00:00:10.601 --> 00:00:14.071 I recently had the pleasure of meeting Sam Harrison, a professional Webflow 00:00:14.091 --> 00:00:15.941 consultant and content creator. 00:00:16.391 --> 00:00:19.311 He was open to co host a WordPress vs. 00:00:19.331 --> 00:00:23.001 Webflow debate with me, while also unpacking how business is 00:00:23.001 --> 00:00:24.401 going for his services company. 00:00:25.101 --> 00:00:28.671 Heading into the debate, I spent a few hours watching his content and really 00:00:28.671 --> 00:00:34.081 enjoyed his Webflow components basics and his how to start a web design business. 00:00:34.151 --> 00:00:36.251 So, why did I invite Sam on? 00:00:36.911 --> 00:00:38.941 Page Builders, especially Bricks, are the best. 00:00:39.151 --> 00:00:41.131 Has been the topic du jour of late. 00:00:41.621 --> 00:00:45.171 That crowd really wants WordPress to have a much more, have much 00:00:45.171 --> 00:00:47.051 more power inside the editor. 00:00:47.331 --> 00:00:48.581 And I totally get it. 00:00:48.721 --> 00:00:51.991 These powerful third party tools can be really attractive. 00:00:52.041 --> 00:00:54.581 And if you haven't been in the WordPress space for the last 20 00:00:54.591 --> 00:00:58.901 years, you start to wonder why our favorite CMS is lacking these features. 00:00:59.551 --> 00:01:04.261 Bricks is often framed as the tool that brings Webflow experience into WordPress. 00:01:04.421 --> 00:01:08.401 All powerful design and page building tools you could ever want, surely. 00:01:09.031 --> 00:01:13.161 I've had some conversations with prominent WordPress agencies now offering Webflow 00:01:13.431 --> 00:01:15.481 as an alternative solution to WordPress. 00:01:15.861 --> 00:01:20.001 It all makes sense, but the choice shouldn't start at which tool to use, 00:01:20.181 --> 00:01:24.181 but whether or not you want open source software or a commercial solution. 00:01:24.511 --> 00:01:26.871 For your project to simplify. 00:01:27.141 --> 00:01:30.171 Do you care that you have the benefits of open source WordPress 00:01:30.371 --> 00:01:33.641 along with the baggage or does having a single turnkey app? 00:01:33.651 --> 00:01:35.101 Provide the best solution for you. 00:01:35.731 --> 00:01:38.401 Now, how does that play out for selling your services to clients? 00:01:39.521 --> 00:01:42.831 Sam and I played a little game where we placed the winning cards of 00:01:42.841 --> 00:01:46.661 particular features of the competing platforms in their respective columns. 00:01:46.661 --> 00:01:48.631 You should check out the video linked above. 00:01:48.631 --> 00:01:49.601 It's, it's pretty fun. 00:01:50.331 --> 00:01:54.291 I'll admit the odds were stacked against Sam and Webflow seeing that 00:01:54.291 --> 00:01:58.671 he was on my podcast, but WordPress comes out the winner in most areas. 00:01:59.051 --> 00:02:03.451 So long as you're siding with the advantages of open source, for example, 00:02:03.451 --> 00:02:07.241 the ecosystem, the community, the ability to customize the platform. 00:02:07.601 --> 00:02:10.001 It's a hard sell to get me to use Webflow. 00:02:10.801 --> 00:02:13.211 That doesn't mean we can't learn from Webflow and their users. 00:02:13.601 --> 00:02:16.921 Let's face it, it's not a fluke that they've been successful for this long. 00:02:18.301 --> 00:02:21.751 Having a comprehensive tool set to design pages makes a lot of sense. 00:02:21.751 --> 00:02:25.381 Also, not having to worry about updates, hosting, third party software conflicts. 00:02:25.796 --> 00:02:28.476 Sounds like a dream that Webflow users get to live every day. 00:02:29.376 --> 00:02:33.156 Though I noticed that in the short time of exploring Webflow, WordPress 00:02:33.186 --> 00:02:36.026 isn't massively behind pound for pound. 00:02:36.366 --> 00:02:39.966 And I'm talking specifically just core, not even when you decide to bring in third 00:02:39.966 --> 00:02:42.286 party tools like ACF or Gravity Forms. 00:02:43.311 --> 00:02:46.401 If you like the design tools and the interface of Webflow, mixed with 00:02:46.401 --> 00:02:50.901 their new components library, the gap in WordPress isn't all that wide. 00:02:51.801 --> 00:02:55.671 However, when you look at something like the writing experience, specifically 00:02:55.701 --> 00:03:00.371 blogging or posts in general, Webflow isn't even competing in the same league. 00:03:01.101 --> 00:03:01.801 Sorry, Sam. 00:03:01.811 --> 00:03:06.581 I guess what I'm saying is, as much as we can learn from the UI, UX, and 00:03:06.611 --> 00:03:10.641 passionate community of Webflow, their team could also learn from WordPress. 00:03:11.331 --> 00:03:14.091 Heck, Gutenberg is an open source project. 00:03:14.531 --> 00:03:15.921 Even Drupal has a fork. 00:03:16.561 --> 00:03:20.841 Maybe Webflow can improve their content editor with Gutenberg? 00:03:21.801 --> 00:03:22.841 Go open source. 00:03:23.701 --> 00:03:25.491 Let me know what you think. 00:03:25.735 --> 00:03:26.995 No news links today. 00:03:26.995 --> 00:03:28.125 I do apologize. 00:03:28.425 --> 00:03:29.165 Running out of time. 00:03:29.165 --> 00:03:30.645 Heading out on vacation next week. 00:03:30.655 --> 00:03:35.325 And just so much to do with all the stuff happening at Gravity Forms this week. 00:03:35.895 --> 00:03:36.595 Busy day. 00:03:37.145 --> 00:03:37.715 Busy week. 00:03:38.215 --> 00:03:39.835 I'll talk to you in the next episode.