Can Webflow be used to redo a 200-page ecommerce site, even if most sites built with Webflow are smaller and lack template features?

Yes, Webflow can be used to rebuild a 200-page ecommerce site, but there are specific scale, structure, and performance considerations you must address to ensure a smooth implementation.

1. Understand Webflow’s Page & CMS Limits

• Static Page Limit: Webflow has a limit of 100 static pages per project. For a 200-page site, you'll need to rely heavily on CMS Collections to dynamically generate additional pages.
• CMS Limits:
• CMS item limit: Up to 10,000 CMS items on the Enterprise plan (2,000 for Business).
• Each CMS item can generate dynamic pages (e.g., product pages, category pages).
• You can structure your site so that product pages, categories, blogs, landing pages, etc., use CMS Collections instead of static pages, significantly reducing reliance on static page count.

2. Evaluate E-commerce Capabilities

• Webflow’s built-in Ecommerce platform is best suited for small to medium-sized stores. For complex or large-scale ecommerce needs (e.g., advanced filters, multi-currency, subscriptions, B2B pricing), its features may be limiting.
• You can augment Webflow by:
• Using third-party tools like Foxy.io or Shopify Buy Button for more control over ecommerce behavior.
• Integrating external cart or checkout systems while keeping the frontend in Webflow.

3. Leverage CMS for Scalability

• Use CMS Collections to handle scalable content like:
• Product catalog
• Categories and tags
• Blog or resource center
• Each CMS entry can be automatically used to generate unique pages, conserving static pages.

4. Plan Content Structure and Architecture

• Clearly define what content will live in static pages vs CMS-generated pages.
• Use Reference and Multi-reference fields in CMS to relate products with categories, authors, or tags.
• Consider breaking the site into multiple Webflow projects if you hit platform limits and don’t need everything under one domain.

5. Consider Hosting and Performance Needs

• Webflow's Enterprise Hosting offers enhanced performance, higher CMS limits, and better support, making it ideal for larger sites.
• Make use of features like lazy-loading (loading="lazy") and optimized assets to ensure speed at scale.

6. Review Potential Limitations

• Webflow lacks template inheritance (i.e., you must manually update elements across static pages unless they're Symbols or CMS templates).
• No global component templating (like in headless CMS systems), although you can manage reusable sections using Components and Symbols.
• Consider workload for managing a very large-scale content site directly in Webflow’s visual editor.

Summary

Webflow can rebuild a 200-page ecommerce site if you strategically use CMS Collections to work around static page limits and are mindful of its native ecommerce constraints. For complex features or scalability, pairing Webflow with external ecommerce or CMS tools ensures flexibility while keeping the design in Webflow’s visual environment.