How can I easily make future edits to exported Webflow sites hosted on Bluehost (or another hosting company) to avoid complications and still have the ability to make quick changes in the Webflow creator? Can you provide guidance on integrating WordPress for blogging with Webflow?
- Continue designing in Webflow, export updated versions, and re-upload to your external host for easy future edits.
- Host your blog separately in WordPress on a subdomain, linking to it from your main site, and avoid mixing platforms to maintain clean updates.
When you export Webflow sites and host them externally (e.g., Bluehost), you lose Webflow's CMS and visual editor for future edits. Here's how to make future updates easier and integrate WordPress for blogging alongside your Webflow design.
1. Keep Your Design in Webflow
- Continue using Webflow Designer to make edits to your layout and static pages.
- To avoid complications, always document your export versions (e.g., "export-v1", "export-v2").
- When you make changes, simply export the updated code from Webflow and replace files on your hosting platform (ensure you don’t overwrite blog content or dynamic areas).
2. Separate Static and Blog Content
- Host your main marketing site in Webflow, then export it for hosting when finalized.
- Keep your blog functionality in WordPress, either:
- On a subdomain (e.g., blog.yourdomain.com), or
- In a subfolder (e.g., yourdomain.com/blog) with server-side routing.
3. Export Webflow Site Correctly
- In Webflow, go to Project Settings > Export Code and download the ZIP file.
- On Bluehost (or any hosting):
- Use FTP or File Manager to upload site files.
- Update index.html and related assets when making changes.
- Avoid editing Webflow-exported files manually unless necessary—this keeps it easier to overwrite with a future export.
4. Integrate WordPress on a Subdomain or Subdirectory
Subdomain Option:
Create a subdomain in Bluehost: blog.yourdomain.com.
Install WordPress there via Bluehost’s one-click installer.
In Webflow, link to your blog using a normal anchor tag: blog.yourdomain.com.
Subdirectory Option (harder):
Requires server-side reverse proxy configuration (e.g., NGINX or Apache rewriting rules).
Not recommended for non-technical users.
5. Match Styles Between Webflow and WordPress
- Export Webflow CSS and manually apply basic styles to your WordPress theme.
- Alternatively, use a lightweight WordPress theme (e.g., Astra or Hello) and style it to visually match your Webflow design.
6. Use Webflow as a Front-End Only
- If you want dynamic blogs inside Webflow-styled pages but still use WordPress data, consider using WordPress REST API to pull blog data into a custom Webflow layout.
- Requires custom JS development and should only be used if you’re comfortable with code.
Summary
To edit an exported Webflow site hosted on Bluehost, continue designing in Webflow, export your updates, and re-upload. For blogs, host WordPress on a subdomain (easiest) and integrate it by linking from your main site. Avoid deeply mixing codebases to keep updates manageable and future-proof.