What are the differences between the Basic and CMS templates in Webflow?

Published on
September 22, 2023

The Basic and CMS templates in Webflow are two different options for building websites with different capabilities and features. Here are the main differences between the two:

Basic Template:

  1. Limited Content Management: The basic template is designed for static websites, meaning that you can't easily update or change the content on a regular basis. You'll need to manually update each page whenever you want to make changes.
  2. Simple Structure: The basic template comes with a simple and straightforward structure that includes standard website pages like home, about, services, and contact pages.
  3. Static Blogging: You can create a blog section on the basic template, but it will not have the functionality to add new blog posts automatically. You'll need to create new pages manually for each blog post.
  4. Limited Dynamic Content: The basic template does not have the ability to create dynamic content like CMS-driven portfolios or product listings.

CMS Template:

  1. Advanced Content Management: The CMS template is designed for websites that require regular content updates. It comes with an integrated content management system (CMS), which allows you to easily add, edit, and manage content without touching the design of the website.
  2. Dynamic Structure: The CMS template offers a dynamic structure that allows you to create reusable components and templates. You can create dynamic pages using templates and easily update the content across the entire website.
  3. Blogging and E-commerce Capabilities: The CMS template includes built-in functionality for blogging and e-commerce. You can easily add new blog posts or products and manage categories, tags, and other related features.
  4. Collections and Dynamic Content: The CMS template allows you to create collections and connect them to dynamic pages. This means you can create dynamic content like portfolios, team members, testimonials, and more. You can also customize the layout and design of these dynamic pages.
  5. User Permissions: With the CMS template, you can control user permissions and define who has access to edit or manage certain parts of the website.

In summary, the Basic template is ideal for small static websites that don't require frequent content updates, while the CMS template is suitable for websites that require more dynamic content management, blogging, and e-commerce capabilities.

Additional Questions:

  • What are the benefits of using a CMS template in Webflow?
  • Can I switch from a Basic to CMS template in Webflow?
  • Can I customize the design of CMS templates in Webflow?