Working with Webflow is often sold as easy, intuitive, and code-free — and in many ways, it is. But when you have no experience of working with Webflow, it is a tool that’s quite different to others out there on the market such as WordPress, Squarespace or Wix.
Recently, I spent an hour with a student who hadn’t had any experience in Webflow before, had purchased a template but was a little overwhelmed in how to go about editing it. The build had started with promise but had slowly drifted into something disjointed and difficult to manage. What followed was a streamlined session aimed at clearing the noise, simplifying the setup, and getting things back on track for them.
Here’s a high-level look at how I approach these kinds of sessions — and why just 60 minutes of intentional focus can have lasting impact.
Start With Space, Not Panic
First things first: we hit reset.
That doesn’t mean scrapping everything – but it does mean taking a step back from the current version and creating room to think clearly. Whether that’s duplicating the site or creating a fresh version, the goal is to shift the mindset from “fixing problems” to “building with intention.”
I always keep the tone friendly and collaborative and make the student feel at ease. Especially with working with a new tool it’s not about what went wrong – it’s about simplifying what’s next.
Understanding What’s Really Going On
With a fresh copy open, I invited the student to walk me through the current state of the site.
This is where I listened more than I talked. I’m looking for patterns in both the design and the decision-making. What was working? What feels off? What was hard to manage or update?
These conversations often reveal that the problem isn’t one big issue — it’s a bunch of small ones that have layered up over time. Fixing that means zooming out, then zooming in strategically.
Thoughtful Clean-Up
Here’s where we roll up our sleeves – but without diving too deep into the weeds.
Every session is different, but this middle block is all about making the project lighter, faster, and more logical. It’s not just about removing things, but realigning the project with the original intent.
Sometimes that means stripping out unused pages. Sometimes it means tightening up styles or simplifying how elements are structured. And sometimes it’s as simple as making the site feel yours again — not like something you’re just fighting with.
(Exactly how we do that? That’s part of the value of the session.)
Sharpening the Core
Once we’ve cleared the clutter, the site starts to breathe again – and that’s the perfect time to focus on a core area and improve it properly.
This could be as simple as reworking a header, tightening up layout spacing, or improving responsiveness. The point is to demonstrate the difference between “quick fixes” and intentional decisions.
I always invite the student to take the lead here. I’ll guide, but they’re the one making the changes – because it’s their project, and they need to feel confident taking it forward.
Wrapping it All Up
By the end of the session, things don’t have to be perfect — but they should be clear.
We finish with a quick recap: what we improved, what changed, and what they should focus on next. Often I’ll leave them with 2-3 priorities, not a long list. The idea is to reduce overwhelm, not add to it.
Most importantly, they leave feeling like they’ve reclaimed control. And that’s huge.
Why Taking Small Steps Works
Webflow can feel like a powerful creative tool – or a confusing maze of styles, interactions, and structure. These sessions were designed to make the experience logical again. It’s not about giving away a checklist. It’s about showing a better way of thinking through structure and design.
Sometimes, a student just needs a second set of eyes. Sometimes, they need to see that simplicity is possible. And sometimes, they just need someone to say, “You’re not far off – let’s just tidy things up and refocus.”
Interested in running a session like this for yourself, your team, or a client project that’s feeling tangled?
I don’t post everything I cover in these sessions – because honestly, that guidance is best shared live, in context. You can watch the short snippet from my session below. If it sounds like the kind of reset your build needs, just get in touch.