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7 Takeaways from Webflow Conf 2024

The yearly Webflow Conf 2024 brought exciting announcements and Webflow declared that they are now a Website Experience Platform. What that mean we explain in this blog post, where we break down the 7 most important takeaways from the conference and how they will benefit you.
October 16, 2024
By
Søren Højland Boesen
,
Partner & Design Director

1. AI is here, but wait before you fire your designer

What is a tech conference in 2024 without AI? One of the least surprising things at the conference was that Webflow finally revealed more about its AI Assistant, that they allready announced last year. The AI Assistant can help generate sections and modofy them and assist with copywriting. This sounds great on paper, but from what we saw, it feels like a basic solution initially, as you still have to select from different templates and in the demo they showed how you can change the colour of your component (like there wasn't allready a simple way to do that). So it can't yet replace your webdesigner, but it might be able to replace your copywriter. What looked more handy was that you now have an AI copywriting assistant directly in Webflow rather than copy-pasting from external tools like ChatGPT.

What it means for you: While this AI could help speed up some repetitive tasks, don’t expect it to revolutionize the way you build your site—at least, not yet. But it is an interesting step towards a new way of interacting and doing design in a more effective way.

2. Data driven design decisions with built-in analytics

The launch of Webflow Analyze brings native analytics directly into the platform, providing deeper insights into site performance without relying on third-party tools like Google Analytics. The integration feels sleek and it is interesting how it brings the data closer to the design decisions.

What it means for you: This is a game-changer. With analytics built right into Webflow, we can instantly make data-driven decisions to improve your website’s performance. No more bouncing between platforms or exporting data—everything you need for tracking and improving your site’s engagement and conversions will now be at our fingertips. This will help us fine-tune your site more efficiently, leading to faster optimizations and better results.

3. Intelligent A/B testing and personalisation build in

With Webflow Optimize, we can now test different designs, layouts, or content to see which performs best, a feature that had been missing from Webflow until now. What’s even more exciting is AI Optimize, which can automatically adjust site experiences based on real-time user behavior, taking personalization to the next level.

What it means for you: This is a huge win if your goal is higher conversions. The A/B testing allows us to experiment with different versions of your site to see what resonates best with your audience. Combined with AI Optimize, your site can automatically adapt to deliver personalized experiences, increasing engagement and driving more meaningful actions from your visitors. It’s a powerful addition that could significantly boost your site’s ROI.

4. Improved localization

At last years conference Webflow Localization was announced. It has been nice to be able to be able to localize websites for different languages and markets in the same interface as you build the site, but there have also been some annoying limitations. Previously, Webflow’s localization feature limited you to 5 languages, and you could not do localised styling unless you shelled out for the Enterprise plan. Now, with the update, we can localize your site in up to 10 languagesand change the styling, without requiring an expensive upgrade.

What it means for you: This is fantastic news for businesses with international audiences. If you’re looking to reach multiple markets, we can now localize your content into more languages without pushing you into a costly Enterprise tier. This makes Webflow much more competitive for European and global clients who need flexibility without the Enterprise price tag.

5. An alternative to the Editor Interface

Webflow is now rolling out Build Mode to everyone (previously it was only for Enterprise customers). It allows marketers to work directly within the Designer interface but with limited access to avoid mistakes. This empowers you to make content changes without the risk of altering key design elements. With the subtle yet impactful update Component Style Variants, it is now possible  to create multiple design variations of the same component. This might not seem like a flashy update, but it makes components much more flexible and powerfull. Both of these updates are a step towards replacing the old Editor Interface, and instead having different user roles.

What it means for you: Faster design changes, easier content management, and more control without the risk of breaking the design.

6. CMS Updates

Webflow’s CMS API updates are a major step forward in integrating Webflow with other systems. These updates now support bulk operations, making it easier to bring in large datasets from third-party sources. Additionally, Webflow introduced improvements to CMS publishing, allowing for more granular control over how content is published—whether it’s individual items or large updates. Lastly, enhancements to CMS nesting in beta will allow us to work with more complex datasets at scale.

What it means for you: This makes it easier to integrate your Webflow site with external systems, streamline content management, do site migrations, and handle complex workflows efficiently. Your site will stay up-to-date with minimal risk of errors, especially if it relies on frequent content updates or external data, ensuring smooth operations.

7. One more thing - Webflow acquires GSAP

In good old Apple style, Webflow had one more thing to announce in the end. They have acquired GSAP. This is big news, especially for those who want their websites to stand out with dynamic animations. We’ve been using GSAP at Kvalifik for years because of its superior animation capabilities, and now that it will be the basis for Webflow Interaction 3.0, it opens up even more possibilities without the need for extra code or external libraries.

What it means for you: Expect to see even more impressive animations an kapow on your website. Whether it’s subtle movements or full-fledged interactive animations, GSAP will allow us to create engaging, memorable experiences that go beyond the standard and push the limits of what we can create for your brand.

From website builder to experience platform

At Webflow Conf 2024, designers got their hands on fresh tools to create more stunning websites—think GSAP animations, Component Style Variants, and AI-powered design tweaks. But the real spotlight was on marketers. Webflow made it clear that your site should be more than just a pretty face. With new built-in analytics, A/B testing, and AI Optimize, it’s all about performance. Marketers now have a toolkit to craft personalized, data-driven experiences that convert. Webflow isn’t just for designing beautiful sites; it’s about making them work harder for your business. We can't wait to try out the new tools.

Picture from the Watch Party at our office

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