Gatsby to Webflow

Migrating a website built with Gatsby to Webflow can help simplify website management, streamline updates, and reduce the need for ongoing development. Gatsby is a React-based framework that leverages static site generation for fast, performance-focused websites. However, maintaining a Gatsby site often requires developers, especially when adding features or making design changes. Webflow offers an alternative approach, enabling non-developers to manage and design websites visually, while still delivering fast, optimized sites. This guide will walk you through the steps of migrating your Gatsby website to Webflow.

Why Migrate from Gatsby?

Gatsby is a powerful framework that delivers high-performing static websites, but maintaining it can be challenging for teams without dedicated developers. Here are some reasons why you might want to migrate from Gatsby to Webflow:

• No-Code Design and Updates: With Webflow, you can design, update, and manage your site without needing to write code. This makes it easier for teams without developers to make updates.

• All-in-One Solution: Webflow combines hosting, CMS, and design tools in one platform, eliminating the need for separate hosting services or a content management system (CMS) like you may need with Gatsby.

• Simplified Maintenance: Webflow’s visual editor and CMS make it easy to update content and designs, without worrying about rebuilding or redeploying the site like you would with Gatsby.

• Speed of Iteration: Webflow allows faster iteration with its drag-and-drop design tools, making it easy to prototype, update, and publish changes immediately.

Gatsby vs. Webflow

Gatsby

• Developer-Driven: Gatsby is built for developers, allowing for complex, high-performance websites using React, GraphQL, and static site generation.

• Manual Site Management: Updates to Gatsby sites typically require developer input, especially if the site involves custom components or dynamic content.

• Requires Separate CMS and Hosting: Most Gatsby websites use headless CMSs (like Contentful or Strapi) for content management, and require a hosting platform like Netlify or Vercel for deployment.

• Fast Performance: Gatsby’s static site generation creates fast-loading websites optimized for SEO and performance.

Webflow

• No Code Required: Webflow allows designers and non-developers to manage and build websites visually, without the need to write or understand code.

• Integrated CMS and Hosting: Webflow offers a fully integrated CMS and hosting solution, making it easier to manage everything in one place without third-party services.

• Visual Design Tools: Webflow’s drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to create and update website layouts and styles, even for those without coding knowledge.

• Responsive and SEO-Friendly: Webflow ensures your site is responsive across devices and provides built-in SEO tools to help optimize for search engines.

Exporting Content and Assets from Gatsby

To begin the migration, you’ll first need to export your content and assets from your Gatsby website:

1. Export Static HTML Content: Gatsby typically uses markdown, MDX, or data fetched via GraphQL. Export this static content to text files or a CSV for import into Webflow.

2. Collect Media Assets: Download all media assets (images, videos, etc.) used in your Gatsby site to re-upload them into Webflow later.

3. Export Dynamic Data: If you’re using a headless CMS with Gatsby, like Contentful or Strapi, export the data into a CSV file for easy import into Webflow’s CMS.

4. Export Custom Code Snippets: Gather any custom JavaScript, CSS, or other code used for functionality or integrations, which you may need to replicate or embed in Webflow.

Building the Website in Webflow

Now that you’ve exported the necessary content and assets, it’s time to rebuild your website in Webflow:

1. Create a New Webflow Project: Start a new project in Webflow. Choose a blank template or select one of Webflow’s pre-built templates, depending on your design needs.

2. Recreate Page Layouts: Use Webflow’s visual design tools to recreate your Gatsby site’s layouts. Drag and drop elements like headers, footers, sections, and containers to replicate the structure of your existing site.

3. Design Interactions and Animations: If your Gatsby site included animations or interactions, use Webflow’s built-in animation tools to replicate these features without writing code.

4. Customize Styles: Adjust typography, colors, and spacing to match your current website’s look and feel, all within Webflow’s visual interface.

Importing Content to Webflow

Once you’ve set up the structure of your website, it’s time to import the content you exported from your Gatsby site:

1. Create CMS Collections in Webflow: If your Gatsby website included dynamic content (such as blog posts, case studies, or product listings), create CMS collections in Webflow to manage this content.

2. Import Content via CSV: Use Webflow’s CSV import tool to bring in dynamic content like blog posts or portfolios. Make sure your CSV file is formatted correctly, matching Webflow’s collection fields (e.g., title, description, image URL).

3. Upload Media Assets: Re-upload your media assets into Webflow’s Asset Manager and link them to the appropriate CMS items or static pages.

4. Embed Custom Code if Needed: If your Gatsby site had custom JavaScript or external services integrated, embed this custom code into Webflow using the platform’s custom code blocks.

Managing SEO and Redirects

Preserving SEO rankings and managing redirects is essential during a migration to Webflow. Here’s how you can handle this:

1. Set Up 301 Redirects: Identify the URLs from your Gatsby site and set up 301 redirects in Webflow to point them to the new URLs. This will prevent broken links and ensure your SEO authority transfers over.

2. Optimize SEO Settings: Webflow provides built-in tools to optimize your site’s SEO. Update each page’s meta titles, descriptions, alt text for images, and Open Graph settings.

3. Submit a New Sitemap: Once the site is live on Webflow, submit your sitemap to Google Search Console to ensure that search engines index your new website properly.

Launching the Webflow Website

After building your Webflow site and importing content, it’s time to prepare for launch:

1. Test Responsiveness and Performance: Use Webflow’s responsive design tools to ensure your website looks great on all screen sizes. Test the site for performance and loading times as well.

2. Connect Your Domain: Go to Webflow’s Hosting settings to connect your custom domain. Webflow also provides SSL security, so your site will be secure from the moment you launch.

3. Launch the Website: Once everything is ready and tested, launch your Webflow site by publishing it. Make sure all pages load correctly and that your content has transferred over smoothly.

4. Monitor Post-Launch Performance: After launching, use Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor traffic, performance, and SEO metrics. This will help you track the success of the migration and identify any issues.

Migrating from Gatsby to Webflow offers significant benefits, especially for teams looking to reduce the technical complexity of managing a website. While Gatsby is an excellent framework for developers to create fast, performant sites, Webflow’s visual approach enables non-developers to take control of the design, content, and updates. By making the transition to Webflow, you can simplify your workflow, eliminate the need for frequent coding updates, and enjoy a fully integrated CMS, hosting, and design solution in one platform.