Can websites created in Webflow be transferred to other hosting platforms like cPanel or Plesk, or are there alternative solutions?

Websites created in Webflow can be exported and hosted elsewhere, but there are limitations depending on the website’s features. Here’s a breakdown of how it works and alternative approaches.

1. Exporting Webflow Code

• You can export the raw HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and assets (like images) from Webflow if you are on a paid plan that includes code export.
• Go to Project Settings > Export Code to download your site files.
• This exported code can then be uploaded to cPanel or Plesk hosting environments via FTP or a file manager.

Important: Dynamic features (like CMS content, Webflow forms, and e-commerce functionality) will not work outside of Webflow’s hosting because they rely on Webflow's servers.

2. Limitations of Code Export

• CMS-driven content, E-commerce functionality, and Webflow Forms require Webflow’s backend.
• You will need to rebuild or replace these features manually using third-party CMSs (like WordPress) or form handling services (like Formspree or Basin).
• Site search functionality will not transfer since it relies on Webflow’s search index.

3. Alternative Solutions

• Use Reverse Proxying: Host your site elsewhere but keep relying on Webflow for CMS or E-commerce features by setting up a reverse proxy (complex and usually not recommended for beginners).
• API-driven migration: For CMS content, you can pull data from Webflow’s API and migrate into another CMS like WordPress, Ghost, or Statamic.
• Use Static Site Generators: If you want to fully move away from Webflow’s dynamic backend but preserve CMS-like updating, you can deploy your Webflow-exported files using Jamstack services (like Netlify or Vercel) and integrate with a headless CMS (like Contentful or Sanity).

4. Important Considerations

• Any future changes made through the Webflow Designer would require re-exporting your project and re-uploading if you are hosting externally.
• SEO settings, meta descriptions, and Open Graph settings configured inside Webflow do export correctly with your pages.
• Webflow-specific interactions (like scroll animations) will continue to function, as they are handled via Webflow’s inline JavaScript.

Summary

You can export and host Webflow sites elsewhere like on cPanel or Plesk, but you will lose any CMS, E-commerce, and form backend features tied to Webflow. For dynamic content, you’ll need alternative systems or a more technical workaround like API migration or reverse proxying.