Webflow Website Deployment Guide

This repository contains a framework for deploying static websites exported from Webflow. Using Docker and Nginx with optional Cloudflare integration, you can quickly deploy your Webflow site with professional-grade hosting.

Webflow Code Export

This deployment method requires exporting your Webflow site as static code. To do this:

1. In your Webflow project dashboard, go to "Publish"
2. Click on "Export Code"
3. Download the ZIP file containing your site's code

For detailed instructions, see the official Webflow Code Export guide.

⚠️ Important Limitation Warning ⚠️
The following Webflow features will NOT work in exported code:

• CMS and database content
• User accounts and authentication
• Ecommerce functionality
• Logic flows
• Localized content
• Form submissions (due to GDPR compliance)
• Site search functionality
• Password protection for pages

Collection lists will show empty states, and Collection pages won't display content bound to Collection fields.

Technology Stack

Core Technologies

• Webflow: Visual web design platform for the original site creation
• Docker: Containerization for consistent deployment
• Nginx: High-performance web server for static content
• Cloudflare (Optional): For secure tunneling, DDoS protection, and CDN

Benefits of This Setup

• Portability: Runs consistently on any system with Docker
• Security: Minimal attack surface with Alpine-based containers
• Performance: Optimized Nginx with gzip compression and proper caching
• Scalability: Easily deployable to any server or cloud environment

Directory Structure

• website/ - Contains all the website files (place your Webflow export here)
  • HTML pages
  • css/ - Stylesheets
  • js/ - JavaScript files
  • images/ - Images and media
  • fonts/ - Custom fonts
• docker-compose.yml - Docker Compose configuration for standard deployment
• docker-compose-with-cloudflare.yml - Extended configuration with Cloudflare Tunnel
• nginx.conf - Nginx web server configuration with performance optimizations
• deploy.sh - Helper script for deployment
• cloudflared-config.yml - Configuration for Cloudflare Tunnel (optional)
• CLOUDFLARE-SETUP.md - Instructions for Cloudflare integration

Deployment Instructions

Prerequisites

• Docker and Docker Compose installed on your server
  • Install Docker Engine
  • Install Docker Compose
• Basic knowledge of terminal commands

Steps to Deploy

1. Clone this repository to your server:

git clone https://gitea.bnkhome.org/bnkops/webflow.quick.server.git

2. Extract your Webflow code export into the website/ directory

3. Navigate to the project directory:

   cd path/to/webflow-deployment
   

4. Start the Docker container:

   docker-compose up -d
   

5. The website should now be available at http://localhost or your server's IP address.

6. For public access, you can either:

   • Configure your DNS and firewall to expose port 80/443
   • Deploy using the Cloudflare Tunnel for secure access

Management Commands

• To stop the server:

  docker-compose down
  

• To view logs:

  docker-compose logs -f
  

• To restart the server:

  docker-compose restart
  

• To deploy using the helper script:

  ./deploy.sh
  

Configuration

• The Nginx configuration is located in nginx.conf
• The Docker Compose configuration is in docker-compose.yml
• Website files are served from the website/ directory

Technical Details

Nginx Configuration

The Nginx web server is configured with several optimizations:

• Gzip Compression: Reduces the size of transferred files
• Asset Caching: Sets proper cache headers for static assets
• Error Handling: Custom error pages
• SPA Support: Fallback to index.html for client-side routing

Docker Configuration

The Docker setup uses:

• nginx:alpine: A lightweight, Alpine Linux-based Nginx image
• Volume Mounting: Maps the local website directory to the container
• Port Mapping: Exposes port 80 for HTTP traffic
• Automatic Restart: Container restarts automatically if it crashes

Alternative: Self-Hosted Website Builders

If you need more functionality than a static Webflow export provides, consider these alternatives:

GrapesJS

Webflow is built on a framework similar to GrapesJS, an open-source web builder framework. GrapesJS can be self-hosted and integrated with your own backend for dynamic content.

Changemaker V5

Changemaker V5 is a battle-tested, lightweight, self-hosted productivity suite developed by The Bunker Operations in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

It empowers you to deploy secure, locally-built websites, blogs, newsletters, and forms – from personal projects to full-fledged campaigns – giving you complete control, inherent security, and true freedom of speech.

Changemaker V5 provides a digital campaign alternative to mainstream American systems and can be paired with your own infrastructure at changemaker.bnkops.org.

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Container won't start

# Check for detailed error messages
docker-compose logs

Cannot connect to website

# Verify the container is running
docker ps

# Check if port 80 is in use by another service
sudo lsof -i :80

Permission issues

# Fix permission issues with Docker socket
sudo chmod 666 /var/run/docker.sock

License

This deployment framework is provided under the MIT License.