Framer review : Probably the best nocode tool for a junior designer

Hey Designers,

I’m guessing a lot of us have our portfolios all decked out in Figma and are currently trying to figure out how to transform it into a website using no-code tools like Webflow or Bubble. But let’s be real, even though these tools claim to be easy-peasy and don’t require coding knowledge, in my experience, some of them still need a basic understanding of HTML or CSS to get your groove on and make your vision come to life.

What if I told you I recently came across a tool that allows you instantly build and publish your portfolio to a live website?. Cool yeah

Framer is the ultimate no-code tool for creating a website that looks like it was designed by a pro. One thing that sets Framer apart from competitors like Webflow or Bubble is its impressive Free Positioning feature. As a Figma user, you can easily pick up Framer in just a few hours (I myself learned it in just 3 hours!) and have your portfolio website up and running in just 3 days. Not to mention, Framer offers some stunning explainer videos that’ll help you get started in no time. So if you’re ready to take your website design to the next level, Framer is definitely worth checking out!

Pros

Let me break down some of the pros of using Framer that I’ve discovered during my own 2-week trial:

• Framer is super easy to learn, thanks to a plethora of tutorial videos that walk you through every feature of the tool.
• If you’ve already got your portfolio set up in Figma, you’ll love the feature that lets you instantly copy and paste layers, frames, and autolayouts onto the design board.
• If you’re already familiar with animating design elements like buttons with smart animate in Figma, you’ll feel right at home with the transitions available in Framer.
• Although not as robust as what you’d find on Webflow or Bubble, Framer also supports CMS, which is a plus.
• Framer allows for custom domains, although there is a fee if you don’t want their signature “framer.website” at the end of your URL. Publishing is a breeze, and the URLs you get are secure.
• The most exciting pro, in my opinion, is the free positioning design feature. This means you’re not limited to the box design model principle and have more design freedom to work with.

While these are the pros I’ve discovered in just 2 weeks of using Framer, I’m sure there’s still so much more to uncover as I continue to explore the tool.

Cons

However, there are also some cons to using Framer that I’ve encountered during my time with the tool:

• While Framer does support CMS, it’s not as robust as what you’ll find on Webflow or Bubble.
• Designing on Framer isn’t quite as seamless as using Figma or XD. My trick is to complete my designs in Figma and then import them into Framer.
• Although the “copy and paste from Figma” feature is convenient, it does have some limitations. Not every type of design element can be copied from Figma to Framer. For instance, if you’ve created a glass-morphed layer in Figma, it will turn transparent and lose the glass effect once imported into Framer. This was one of several export-import bugs that I’ve encountered and haven’t been able to work around.
• Unlike Webflow and Bubble, there aren’t as many tutorial videos available for Framer. When I hit a few roadblocks while using the tool, I had to improvise since YouTube didn’t have all the answers. This is understandable, though, since Framer is a newer tool, and I’m sure more videos will become available as more people discover its power.

What can you use Framer for as a Designer?

As a designer, Framer can be used for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to the following:

• It eliminates the excuse of presenting your portfolio in a Figma prototype link only.
• You can easily design and build portfolios or landing pages for your clients and add no-code web development as a skill set or a side hustle.
• Although I haven’t tried it yet, building a web app using Framer is expected to be as easy as designing a portfolio website. With Framer, you can proudly say that you designed and built your portfolio website in just a week, just like me. Please take a moment to review my portfolio, which was designed in Figma and built with Framer, in my bio, and share your magic in the comments section when you’re finished building your own portfolio.

PS: Note that this is not a promotional post, but the enthusiasm of a designer who is delighted to have a no-code tool like Framer that is easy to use.

✌🏽