The Definitive Guide On How To Use Framer For Websites And Prototypes

Discover how to use Framer for websites and prototypes with our definitive guide, covering all features and tips for success.

You've just finished a big project at work, and you can finally take a break. But instead of relaxing, your mind races as you think about all the improvements you could make for the next one. You know this feeling too well if you’re a designer or developer. After all, it can be tough to turn off that creative instinct when you know there are new tools and functions to explore. This is especially true with Framer software. Even if you've dabbled with Framer design before, there’s a good chance that the latest version offers something new to help you create better prototypes and websites. This blog will help you turn off that instinctive urge to jump right into your next project and show you how to use Framer to create websites and prototypes for your next project like a pro.

NUMI's Framer web design can help you achieve your objectives with ease. This innovative tool has tons of intuitive features that will help you improve your design workflow and create stunning websites and prototypes that will impress your clients and users alike.

What is Framer?

Person Working on Laptop - How To Use Framer

Framer is an intuitive no-code platform for designing and prototyping. This tool has garnered attention today for its easy-to-use features and clean interface. With Framer, designers can easily create reciprocal interfaces for websites, mobile apps, and other digital products.
If you want to make high-fidelity prototypes, Framer is an excellent choice. This tool makes it easy to simulate the look and feel of the final product so users can get a hint of it in advance.
This advanced tool also has many cool features, which is why it has become so popular among user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) designers. If you've been a designer for a while, you might remember it being called Framer X.

Evolving from Prototyping to an All-in-One Website Solution

Framer originally started as a prototyping tool, but has now transformed into a comprehensive solution for designing, building, and publishing websites. Because of its familiar interface and easy-to-use features, Framer is quickly gaining traction as a go-to tool for creatives who want to build websites without even thinking about code.
The tool garners positive Framer reviews for its design systems that facilitate web development, and its Framer Sites ensure that stakeholders maintain a consistent brand presence across all social media and search engine platforms. Users appreciate the custom domain support and the streamlined mini-editor for quick edits, which tackle common pain points such as the need for an all-in-one solution and stakeholder collaboration. The competitive pricing plans are noteworthy, with a pro plan catering to those who demand it.

Best Features & Benefits of Using Framer

Framer's intuitive interface is easy to navigate, even for novices. Its elegant design offers a variety of tools for creating interactive prototypes, all without writing a single line of code.

Create Reusable Components

Framer offers a library of reusable components that can be customized according to your needs. This saves time and maintains visual consistency throughout your prototype.

Create Interactions and Animations

With Framer, you can easily add animations and interactions to your prototypes, enabling you to create more immersive and engaging user experiences.

Integrate With Other Tools

Framer integrates seamlessly with tools and services you might already use, like Sketch, Figma, and more. This facilitates the workflow and ensures a smooth transition between the various tools.

The Benefits of Framer

Framer has numerous advantages that make it appealing to many users.

Accessibility for Non-Developers

Framer is aimed at a broad audience, including those who have never touched a line of code. Its ease of use and user-friendly interface make prototyping accessible to non-developers. Its smooth learning curve allows the most motivated to get started quickly and build impressive prototypes in no time.

Flexibility and Customization

Flexibility is one of Framer's strengths. Whether you need to create a simple or complex prototype, Framer gives you the tools. With a wide range of customizable components, you can create unique designs that fit exactly what you need.

Effectiveness in Product Prototyping

Framer is not only easy to use, it's also incredibly effective. It saves time by streamlining the prototyping process, making it quick and easy to design and test new ideas. It's an ideal tool for teams looking to iterate quickly and get instant feedback.

Your Partner for Top-Tier Framer Design Talent

NUMI is a framer web design agency that produces world-class framer developers and product designers. Backed by Y Combinator, NUMI handles all of your startup's sourcing/vetting/hiring needs for design. Our fabulous design team ensures all your design work is done well.

NUMI helps with:

Product design
Web design
Framer development
Webflow development
Mobile design
Prototyping
UX design
All of your startup's design needs

Subscribe to a guild of world-class designers ready to embed on your team today. Schedule a call with us today to learn more!

7 Steps to Get Started With Framer

1. Create a Free Account on Framer’s Website

The first step to using Framer is signing up for a free account on Framer’s platform. Framer allows you to design and publish websites without coding skills, so it’s perfect for beginners and experienced designers. Once your account is set up, you can design your website using its visual canvas.

2. Learn With Video Tutorials

One of the quickest ways to get started with Framer is to watch video tutorials that guide you through the process. Plenty of tutorials are available, covering topics like turning designs created in Figma into fully functional websites. This can help you understand Framer’s interface and workflows while getting a project off the ground.

3. Join the Framer Community For Support

Framer has an active community of over 5,000 members. By joining the community, you’ll gain access to a support network of designers working on projects with Framer. It’s a great place to ask questions, get advice, and find inspiration for your work.

4. Explore Pre-Built Components to Learn Quickly

Framer comes with various pre-built elements and components that you can use in your designs. You can learn how different features work without building everything from scratch by exploring these. This makes it easy to prototype quickly and learn Framer’s capabilities as you go.

5. Start With Templates to Speed Up the Process

Framer offers free and paid templates, which can be a faster way to get started. Instead of designing a website from scratch, you can choose a template that matches your needs and customize it to fit your style. Templates are handy for learning the platform and speeding up the design process.

6. Check Out Framer’s Learn Page

Framer has a dedicated Learn page filled with articles and guides to help you get familiar with the tool. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced designer, these resources cover everything from basic functionality to advanced techniques. Reading through the Learn page is a great way to expand your knowledge.

7. Follow Framer University for the Latest Tips

Framer University, available on social media platforms, regularly posts tips and tricks for mastering Framer. Following them can keep you updated with new features, design ideas, and best practices for using the platform.

Creating a Prototype in Framer

Laptop And Stuff Laying on Table - How To Use Framer

Framer makes it easy to create a prototype from scratch. You’ll start by creating a new “Frame,” an empty workspace where you can build your prototype. From there, you can add components to this Frame, such as:

Buttons
Images
Text
And more

Components and Interactions: The Building Blocks of Your Prototype

You can start defining interactions once you’ve added your components to the Frame. For example, you can define what happens when a user clicks a button or how an image should move when the user scrolls down the page. Framer offers great flexibility in defining these interactions, allowing you to create highly interactive prototypes.

Testing and Iterating on Your Prototype

Once you’ve defined your components and interactions, you can test your prototype directly in Framer. If something doesn’t work as expected, or if you want to try something new, you can easily adjust and iterate your prototype. That’s one of the main benefits of Framer: it makes the iteration and testing process easy so you can create the best possible prototype.

How to Use Framer Templates in 5 Steps

Using Framer templates is a streamlined way to quickly create and launch a website, especially if you need to be better versed in web design or development. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Purchase the Template

Begin by selecting and purchasing a Framer template from the Framer Marketplace. The marketplace offers 1000+ templates across categories like:

Portfolios
Agencies
landing pages
Blogs
And more

Prices typically range from $0 to $50, making them accessible for any budget. You can preview the templates live, so you know exactly what you're getting.

2. Create a Free Framer Account

After purchasing a template, you'll receive a "remix link" via email. Clicking this link will copy the template to your Framer dashboard. If you don’t already have an account, the link will guide you to register for free. Once logged in, your purchased template will appear in your dashboard, ready for customization.

3. Customizing the Template

The real work begins with customizing the template to fit your brand or project. Common customization tasks include:

Edit Text: Double-click any text element to update it. This process is straightforward, similar to editing text in a word processor.
Change Images: Select the image you want to update, and an overlay will appear, allowing you to upload new images, adjust display settings, and edit alt text.
Customize Colors: In the “Assets” menu on the left sidebar, scroll down to the “Colors” section to update the color scheme by pasting your brand’s HEX color codes.
Edit CMS Elements: If your template includes CMS collections, you can manage and update them by clicking the CMS button at the top left of the page. This allows you to modify data-driven content like blog posts or product listings.
Remove Unwanted Pages: If your template contains extra pages you don't need, you can easily delete them. Hover over the page in the left sidebar, click the menu icon, and select "delete." Remember to check for broken links using a tool like Dead Link Checker.
Edit Meta Data: Customize each page's title and meta description for SEO. Navigate to the settings at the top right of the page to find the appropriate fields for each page.

4. Connect Google Analytics

To track website performance, you'll need to integrate Google Analytics. Go to Site Settings > General in your Framer dashboard and paste your Google Analytics Measurement ID. Ensure that you have a cookie policy in place to comply with privacy laws.

5. Publish Your Website

Once you’ve customized your template, it’s time to publish your site. Select a pricing plan that fits your needs, and connect your domain under Site Settings > Domains. If Framer's auto-connect feature is available, simplify the process. Otherwise, follow the manual DNS setup.

Who's Framer a Good Fit For & Who It's Not?

Framer thrives with teams and individuals who prioritize precision and interaction. It’s especially well-suited for agencies and in-house teams working on high-end digital products, particularly in the tech and multimedia sectors. UX/UI designers who love creating detailed animations and interactive prototypes will thrive with Framer.

It’s also a strong fit for medium to large companies that value collaboration. Framer offers real-time collaborative features, making it great for teams with some technical expertise to fully leverage its capabilities.

Who is Framer Not Ideal For?

Framer may not be the best choice for environments where speed is more important than detailed design. Agencies needing to deliver rapid-turnaround projects could find Framer’s in-depth design features excessive.

Teams with technical skills could handle the learning curve, and small startups or freelancers on tight budgets might find scaling beyond the free version cost-prohibitive. More straightforward tools may better-fit companies needing essential, static design work without complex prototypes than Framer.

Is Framer a Good Tool for Web Design?

Framer is a tool worth considering, especially if you're looking for more control and precision in web design than what typical AI-powered platforms offer. One common criticism of AI website builders is that they tend to spit out generic, uninspired designs that don't quite hit the mark.

Framer tackles this issue by generating individual pages based on user prompts rather than trying to automate the entire website simultaneously. This approach gives you a solid foundation to work; the customization options are where the magic happens.

Automation and Creative Freedom in Framer for Unique Web Design

Framer strikes a nice balance between automation and creative freedom. It doesn't over-rely on AI, which can often lead to cookie-cutter results. It offers the flexibility to tweak and refine what the AI generates using various advanced features. Framer lets you dive deep into the design process, whether it's adjusting layouts, playing with animations, or perfecting the user experience.

That said, there's a learning curve. It's different from the tool where you just click a few buttons and boom, it's an instant website. You'll need to invest some time upfront to get the hang of it. But if you appreciate good design and want to build functional, visually appealing websites, Framer is more than worth the effort. The result is a website that looks great and feels unique to your brand and goals.

What Do Users Think About Framer?

One unique characteristic of Framer that users value is that it allows working on a freeform canvas. This results in editing and prototyping workflows similar to UX/UI design tools like Figma and helps make Framer's learning curve more accessible for those familiar with these platforms.

‍"As a UX/UI Designer heavily involved in product prototyping, Framer has been an indispensable tool in my arsenal. What stands out most about Framer is its robust set of features, especially its ease of creating interactive prototypes. The ability to seamlessly transition from design to code using its intuitive interface is a game-changer." ‍Shobhit G. - Product Manager

What are the Criticisms of Framer?

Users find that the Framer website builder's limited control over HTML or CSS can be a drawback when building a larger website that requires more control over different settings, resulting in a site that may be more difficult to maintain.

As the platform is newer, there are fewer tutorial videos available. For the same reason, it still doesn't include as many integrations as other tools. Detailed analytics are also one of the essential features of a website design tool that Framer needs to improve.

Your Partner for Top-Tier Framer Design Talent

NUMI helps with:

Product design
Web design
Framer development
Webflow development
Mobile design
Prototyping
UX design
All of your startup's design needs

Subscribe to a guild of world-class designers ready to embed on your team today. Schedule a call with us today to learn more!

8 Useful Tips For Framer Beginners

1. Using Frames and Stacks

Before creating a prototype in Framer, familiarize yourself with frames and stacks. Frames are like containers for your elements, while stacks help you organize these elements in a structured layout. Stacks can save you time by automatically arranging items in rows or columns. Learn them well in the beginning.

2. Learn Positioning Elements

You should understand the difference between relative and absolute positioning. Relative positioning moves elements with their current position, which is great for simple layouts.

Absolute positioning places elements exactly where you want them on the screen, which is useful for more precise control. Once you learn when to use each type, you will create cleaner and more flexible designs.

3. Take Time to Learn Incorporating Custom Code

Don’t be afraid to use custom code. Framer allows you to add JavaScript to enhance your prototypes. Even basic knowledge of coding can help you add custom interactions and functionality. It can make your prototypes more realistic.

4. Prioritize Creating Code Components

You should also learn how to create code components. These are reusable pieces of code that you can use throughout your project. Code components help you maintain consistency and save time by not having to recreate the same elements repeatedly.

5. Learn Adding Meta Data

Don’t forget to add site metadata. This includes titles, descriptions, and keywords that help with search engine optimization (SEO). Proper metadata makes your site more discoverable and provides a better user experience.

6. Try Minimizing Code

You should always try to minimize your code. Keep your code clean and simple. This makes your project easier to manage, reduces the likelihood of errors, and improves performance.

7. Optimizing Assets Is Useful

You should also learn to optimize your assets, such as images and videos. Use compressed files to reduce load times. This will make your prototype more responsive and provide a better user experience.

8. Use CMS Collections

Learn to utilize CMS (Content Management System) collections. This feature allows you to manage dynamic content easily. Instead of hardcoding data, you can create collections that store information, making updating and maintaining your project easier.

FAQs on Using Framer

Framer is a powerful design tool that focuses on helping users create interactive prototypes for websites. To start with Framer, users can create an account and access the platform to begin designing on a free-form canvas. Framer allows for drag-and-drop functionality, allowing users to add components, images, and text easily.

The platform supports real-time collaboration so teams can work together seamlessly. Users can import designs from tools like Figma, making it easy to transition existing projects into Framer. Once the design is complete, publishing is as simple as clicking a button, instantly taking the site live.

Building Websites with Framer: Can You Build a Website with Framer?

You can build a website with Framer. The platform is designed for web design and development, offering features that allow users to create stunning websites without extensive coding knowledge. Framer provides a variety of templates and customizable components that facilitate rapid website creation.

Users can also utilize built-in CMS capabilities to manage content like blogs or marketing pages. With responsive design tools and SEO optimization features, Framer enables users to create fully functional websites tailored to their needs.

What Can You Use Framer For? What Is the Framer Tool Good For?

Framer is primarily used for designing and prototyping websites. It is a no-code solution allowing users to create interactive prototypes and visually appealing web pages. The platform is beneficial for designers looking to visualize ideas quickly, as it offers flexibility in layout and styling without the constraints of traditional web design tools.

Framer supports animations and interactions, making it ideal for testing user experiences before final implementation. Its integration capabilities with other design tools enhance its usability in various workflows.

Framer vs. Figma: What’s the Difference?

Framer and Figma serve different needs. Framer is better for creating interactive prototypes with advanced animations, while Figma works nicely in collaborative design and vector editing. The best choice depends on your project’s requirements and workflow preferences.

Is Framer Free to Use?

Framer offers a free plan with basic features suitable for individual users and small website design projects. There are also paid plans with additional features and capabilities for more advanced projects and team collaborations.

What is Framer Good For?

Framer excels in several areas:

Rapid Prototyping: It allows users to quickly turn ideas into functional prototypes, facilitating faster decision-making and feedback loops.
Collaboration: The platform supports real-time collaboration among team members, making it easier to work together on projects regardless of location.
Design Flexibility: Framer's free-form canvas and customizable components allow designers to create unique designs tailored to specific project requirements.
No-Code Development: Users do not need coding expertise to build websites or prototypes, making them accessible to non-developers.
Integration with Other Tools: Framer integrates seamlessly with popular design tools like Figma and Sketch, allowing smooth platform transitions.

Framer is a versatile tool for designers and teams who want to create engaging web experiences while maintaining high-quality design standards.

Subscribe to a Guild of World Class Framer Developers with Our Framer Web Design Agency Today

NUMI is a framer web design agency backed by Y Combinator. Its team is a world-class framer developer and product designer. NUMI handles all of your startup's design sourcing/vetting/hiring needs. Our fabulous design team ensures that all your design work is done well.

NUMI helps with:

Product design
Web design
Framer development
Webflow development
Mobile design
Prototyping
UX design
All of your startup's design needs

Subscribe to a guild of world-class designers ready to embed on your team today. Schedule a call with us today to learn more!

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The Definitive Guide On How To Use Framer For Websites And Prototypes

What is Framer?

Evolving from Prototyping to an All-in-One Website Solution

Best Features & Benefits of Using Framer

Create Reusable Components

Create Interactions and Animations

Integrate With Other Tools

The Benefits of Framer

Accessibility for Non-Developers

Flexibility and Customization

Effectiveness in Product Prototyping

Your Partner for Top-Tier Framer Design Talent

Related Reading

7 Steps to Get Started With Framer

1. Create a Free Account on Framer’s Website

2. Learn With Video Tutorials

3. Join the Framer Community For Support

4. Explore Pre-Built Components to Learn Quickly

5. Start With Templates to Speed Up the Process

6. Check Out Framer’s Learn Page

7. Follow Framer University for the Latest Tips

Creating a Prototype in Framer

Components and Interactions: The Building Blocks of Your Prototype

Testing and Iterating on Your Prototype

How to Use Framer Templates in 5 Steps

1. Purchase the Template

2. Create a Free Framer Account

3. Customizing the Template

4. Connect Google Analytics

5. Publish Your Website

Related Reading

Who's Framer a Good Fit For & Who It's Not?

Who is Framer Not Ideal For?

Is Framer a Good Tool for Web Design?

Automation and Creative Freedom in Framer for Unique Web Design

What Do Users Think About Framer?

What are the Criticisms of Framer?

Your Partner for Top-Tier Framer Design Talent

8 Useful Tips For Framer Beginners

1. Using Frames and Stacks

2. Learn Positioning Elements

3. Take Time to Learn Incorporating Custom Code

4. Prioritize Creating Code Components

5. Learn Adding Meta Data

6. Try Minimizing Code

7. Optimizing Assets Is Useful

8. Use CMS Collections

FAQs on Using Framer

Building Websites with Framer: Can You Build a Website with Framer?

What Can You Use Framer For? What Is the Framer Tool Good For?

Framer vs. Figma: What’s the Difference?

Is Framer Free to Use?

What is Framer Good For?

Related Reading

Subscribe to a Guild of World Class Framer Developers with Our Framer Web Design Agency Today

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