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Geeky Gadgets
15-05-2025
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
Figma Sites Review : How Does Figma's Website Builder Compare to Webflow?
What if your favorite design tool could also build websites? That's the bold promise Figma makes with its new website creation feature, a move that has sparked both excitement and skepticism among its user base. By integrating website design and publishing directly into its platform, Figma aims to streamline workflows and eliminate the need for third-party tools. But is this innovation a fantastic option or just another rushed attempt to ride the no-code wave? With its reliance on heavy structures and limited customization, some argue Figma's latest offering sacrifices professional-grade functionality for convenience. In this Figma Sites review explore whether Figma's foray into web creation lives up to its potential—or falls short of its competitors like Webflow and Framer. This review by Kevin Powell, dives into the strengths and shortcomings of Figma Sites website creation feature, addressing critical aspects like accessibility challenges, design flexibility, and competitive positioning. You'll discover how Figma's tool stacks up against industry leaders, why its reliance on JavaScript might raise eyebrows, and whether its convenience outweighs its limitations. Whether you're a designer intrigued by the idea of an all-in-one platform or a developer seeking robust tools, this exploration will help you decide if Figma's new feature deserves a place in your workflow—or if it's better left on the sidelines. Sometimes, innovation isn't about what's added, but what's missing. Figma's Website Builder Overview Website Creation in Figma: A Convenient but Limited Start Figma's website creation tool is available exclusively to paid users, offering a streamlined process for designing and publishing websites. The feature supports responsive design and page linking, making it particularly appealing to designers already familiar with Figma's interface. By eliminating the need for third-party tools, Figma seeks to save users time and effort, creating a more cohesive workflow. Despite these advantages, the tool's limitations are evident. While it simplifies the creation process, it lacks advanced customization options and control over HTML elements. For instance, users cannot define semantic elements such as headings, sections, or navigation, which are essential for building structured and accessible websites. This limitation significantly reduces its appeal to professional developers who require more robust tools for their projects. Additionally, the absence of CSS grid and flexbox integration restricts design flexibility, leaving users with fewer options to create complex layouts. Technical and Accessibility Challenges One of the most significant criticisms of Figma's website creation feature is its reliance on elements for structuring websites. This approach compromises semantic integrity, which is crucial for search engine optimization (SEO) and accessibility. Websites built using this tool may struggle to meet web standards, potentially alienating users who rely on assistive technologies. Accessibility issues extend beyond semantic concerns. For example, redundant ARIA labels can cause screen readers to repeat content unnecessarily, creating a frustrating experience for visually impaired users. Furthermore, Figma's reliance on JavaScript for basic interactions, such as hover effects and link navigation, raises performance and compatibility concerns. These choices can lead to slower load times and inconsistent behavior across devices, further limiting the tool's usability. Such challenges highlight the need for Figma to prioritize accessibility and performance to make its tool more inclusive and reliable. Figma Sites Review Watch this video on YouTube. Browse through more resources below from our in-depth content covering more areas on AI coding. How Figma Stacks Up Against Competitors Figma's entry into the no-code website builder market places it in direct competition with established platforms like Webflow, Framer, and PenPot. These competitors offer more advanced features and greater flexibility, making them better suited for creating professional-grade websites. Webflow: Renowned for its semantic output and extensive customization options, Webflow allows users to define headings, sections, and navigation elements, making sure compliance with web standards. Its robust tools make it a favorite among developers and designers alike. Renowned for its semantic output and extensive customization options, Webflow allows users to define headings, sections, and navigation elements, making sure compliance with web standards. Its robust tools make it a favorite among developers and designers alike. Framer: Known for its ability to deliver polished, responsive designs with minimal effort, Framer appeals to designers seeking efficiency without compromising quality. Its intuitive interface and advanced design capabilities set it apart. Known for its ability to deliver polished, responsive designs with minimal effort, Framer appeals to designers seeking efficiency without compromising quality. Its intuitive interface and advanced design capabilities set it apart. PenPot: As an open source alternative, PenPot aligns closely with CSS standards and supports advanced layout tools like grid and flexbox. This flexibility caters to both developers and designers, offering greater control over design and structure. In comparison, Figma Sites lack of semantic structure and advanced customization tools makes it less competitive. The absence of features like CSS grid and flexbox further limits its appeal to users who prioritize design precision and professional-grade output. Execution and User Perception The reception of Figma's website creation feature has been mixed. While some users appreciate the convenience of designing and publishing websites within a single platform, others view the tool as an incomplete product. Many believe it was rushed to market to capitalize on the growing no-code trend, resulting in a lack of polish and functionality. The tool's reliance on JavaScript for fundamental interactions exacerbates these concerns. By prioritizing ease of use over robust functionality, Figma risks alienating professional developers and accessibility advocates. These shortcomings highlight the need for more comprehensive development and greater user control to make the tool viable for a broader audience. Without addressing these issues, Figma's website creation feature may struggle to gain traction in a competitive market. Exploring Alternative Tools For users seeking a more comprehensive solution, several alternatives outperform Figma Sites in key areas: Webflow: Offers unmatched control over HTML and CSS, making it ideal for creating semantically rich and accessible websites. Its advanced features cater to both beginners and professionals. Offers unmatched control over HTML and CSS, making it ideal for creating semantically rich and accessible websites. Its advanced features cater to both beginners and professionals. Framer: Simplifies the process of building responsive designs while maintaining high-quality output. Its focus on user-friendly design tools makes it a strong contender in the no-code space. Simplifies the process of building responsive designs while maintaining high-quality output. Its focus on user-friendly design tools makes it a strong contender in the no-code space. PenPot: Provides advanced layout tools and open source flexibility, catering to developers and designers who require greater control over their projects. Its adherence to CSS standards ensures high-quality results. These platforms not only address the limitations of Figma's tool but also set a higher standard for no-code website creation. Their emphasis on semantic structure, accessibility, and customization makes them more appealing to a diverse range of users. Media Credit: Kevin Powell Filed Under: Reviews, Technology News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
The Hindu
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Figma launches AI tool for building apps and websites
Design application Figma has announced a host of new features including an AI tool called Figma Make that can build websites and apps. Users simply need to 'vibe code' their way through, by entering a prompt with the description of what they want in the website. Users can then even make changes to the design elements later after the website has been published. There are drop-down menus for different elements which are easier to access while making changes instead of asking the AI model. The tool is powered by Anthropic's Claude 3.7 model. The platform will also have a content management system for users to generate blog posts from the site. Users can edit posts within the blog while also being able to edit thumbnails and slugs. Vibe coding tools have become increasingly popular with players entering the space. OpenAI has reached an agreement to acquire vibe coding startup Windsurf while it was also reported that Apple and Anthropic had partnered to develop an AI coding platform. Figma has also released another new tool for marketers called Figma Buzz which can be used to make templates for brand creatives. They can also use AI-generated images or edit the background for assets. These tools essentially help marketers when they're working with bulk clients. There's also Figma Draw for vector editing and making illustrations, with new features like pattern fill, brushes, adding noise and texture etc which have been added to the tool. The company is also reportedly testing Figma Sites that converts designs into working websites which will support AI code generation ability within the next few weeks. A few weeks ago, Figma also became one of the platforms to integrate OpenAI's upgraded image generation model.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Figma releases new AI-powered tools for creating site, app prototypes, and marketing assets
Design company Figma today announced multiple features, including AI-powered site and web app creation, a way for marketers to create assets in bulk, and a new drawing tool. With this launch, the company is taking on other creative solutions such as Canva and Adobe, along with AI-powered website and prototype creators such as WordPress, Wix, Hostinger, and Replit. The company's website creation tool is called Figma Sites. The startup said that often designers build prototypes of what a site should look like within Figma. With the new AI-powered tool, they can easily create websites and even publish them. Once the site is generated, collaborators can easily change elements of the site through an editor without prompting. Users can also add transitions, animations, and scroll effects while making the site responsive. Figma is adding the ability to directly generate blog posts from its site. That means the Sites will have a content management system (CMS), which is an upcoming feature, baked in that lets users edit posts within the design of a blog and also manage other assets such as thumbnails and slugs. For interactive elements like stock tickers, you can add custom code or use AI to generate code for you. Figma Make, on the other hand, is a similar AI-powered tool, which is geared more towards ideation and prototyping. Users can input a prompt to create a web application. The prototype app is collaborative, and users can prompt the assistant to change or add certain elements. Plus, if there is a developer on the team, they can directly modify the code to make necessary changes. Users can also generate small interactive elements, such as a clock, and embed them in the pages published through Figma Sites later. Yuki Yamashita, chief product officer at Figma, said that both products share a lot of features and underlying technology. "We want to enable high-fidelity prototyping with Figma, especially with Figma Make. You can add more data to it and try to see how viable an idea is in terms of final implementation. Whereas Figma Site is useful for a marketing and design team when they exactly know how a site should look and take full control of that," Yamashita told TechCrunch while describing the differentiation between these products. Image Credits: Figma Multiple companies in different sectors are looking for a way to create interactive experiences using AI. Website hosting providers such as Squarespace, Wix, WordPress, and Hostinger have released tools to let users easily create websites through AI. On the other hand, tools like Replit and Lovable are pushing users to create apps or prototypes without coding knowledge. Last month, even Canva released a way to create interactive experiences within its designs with Canva Code.
TechCrunch
07-05-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
Figma releases new AI-powered tools for creating sites, app prototypes, and marketing assets
Design company Figma today announced multiple features, including AI-powered site and web app creation, a way for marketers to create assets in bulk, and a new drawing tool. With this launch, the company is taking on other creative solutions such as Canva and Adobe, along with AI-powered website and prototype creators such as WordPress, Wix, Hostinger, and Replit. The company's website creation tool is called Figma Sites. The startup said that often designers build prototypes of what a site should look like within Figma. With the new AI-powered tool, they can easily create websites and even publish them. Once the site is generated, collaborators can easily change elements of the site through an editor without prompting. Users can also add transitions, animations, and scroll effects while making the site responsive. Figma is adding the ability to directly generate blog posts from its site. That means the Sites will have a content management system (CMS), which is an upcoming feature, baked in that lets users edit posts within the design of a blog and also manage other assets such as thumbnails and slugs. For interactive elements like stock tickers, you can add custom code or use AI to generate code for you. Figma Make, on the other hand, is a similar AI-powered tool, which is geared more towards ideation and prototyping. Users can input a prompt to create a web application. The prototype app is collaborative, and users can prompt the assistant to change or add certain elements. Plus, if there is a developer on the team, they can directly modify the code to make necessary changes. Users can also generate small interactive elements, such as a clock, and embed them in the pages published through Figma Sites later. Yuki Yamashita, chief product officer at Figma, said that both products share a lot of features and underlying technology. Techcrunch event Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Berkeley, CA | BOOK NOW 'We want to enable high-fidelity prototyping with Figma, especially with Figma Make. You can add more data to it and try to see how viable an idea is in terms of final implementation. Whereas Figma Site is useful for a marketing and design team when they exactly know how a site should look and take full control of that,' Yamashita told TechCrunch while describing the differentiation between these products. Image Credits: Figma Multiple companies in different sectors are looking for a way to create interactive experiences using AI. Website hosting providers such as Squarespace, Wix, WordPress, and Hostinger have released tools to let users easily create websites through AI. On the other hand, tools like Replit and Lovable are pushing users to create apps or prototypes without coding knowledge. Last month, even Canva released a way to create interactive experiences within its designs with Canva Code. This isn't the first foray for Figma into prototyping, though. Last year, it released a Make Design feature, which had to be pulled after users accused the company of heavily training the tool on existing apps. What's more, Figma is releasing a new tool for marketers called Figma Buzz. With these tools, marketers can easily use templates created by designers with brand-specific designs to make new creatives. They can also use a tool to insert AI-generated images or change the background of certain assets. Marketers can also create assets in bulk using data from sources like spreadsheets. The startup is also launching a tool called Figma Draw for vector editing and illustrations. Yamashita said that designers often had to export their vector designs outside Figma to make edits. The company is now adding features like text on a path, pattern fill, brushes, multi-vector edit, adding noise and texture, and a lasso selection to its Draw product. Image Credits: Figma Figma launched its Slides tool for creating presentations last year. With the new asset creation and drawing tool, the company is directly competing with creative suites such as Adobe and Canva. Yamashita denied that the company is directly competing with these creative tools. He said that Figma is in the business of building digital products, and a third of the company's users are developers, thanks to tools like Dev Mode. The company is announcing a new plan called a content seat starting at $8 per month, which will give users access to Figma Buzz, Slides, FigJam, and Sites CMS.
CNBC
07-05-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Figma introduces 'vibe-coding' AI software design feature
From left, Steven Levy, Wired editor at large, and Dylan Field, co-founder and CEO of Figma, speak onstage at Wired's The Big Interview event in San Francisco on Dec. 3, 2024. Design software startup Figma on Wednesday debuted an artificial intelligence feature to automate the process of building websites and applications. The new feature, called Figma Make, is the company's response to the rise of "vibe-coding" tools, which turn a short written description into the source code necessary for a website. Google and Microsoft have both touted their own "vibe-coding" tools this year. OpenAI has also entered the space, holding acquisition talks with one startup in the space, Windsurf, and reaching out to another called Cursor on multiple occasions, CNBC reported. The move might draw additional business to Figma, which confidentially filed for an initial public offering last month. Many of today's "vibe-coding" products offer a free tier for light use before requesting payment. Figma Make will only be available to those with full seats that start at $16 per person per month when purchased annually. The company is beta-testing the feature with those users. People with premium subscriptions likely work for companies that store font sizes, color combinations and other design assets in Figma. Over time, the new feature will be able to create designs that adhere to those design systems. Figma's new tool relies on Anthropic's Claude 3.7 Sonnet AI model. For those who don't want to start from scratch, Figma Make can alternatively accept Figma design files as an input and generate code that approximates them. Third-party products such as Vercel's v0 and StackBlitz's offer similar capability but can't inherit existing design systems. Like many other "vibe-coding" programs, Figma Make presents a chat box to ask for and receive adjustments of drafts it comes up with. But sometimes a simple fix such as a font change is all that's necessary. Drop-down menus for specific elements allow for quick alterations, meaning that there's no need to consult the AI model again and wait for a response. Customers who received early access to Figma Make got it to craft video games, a note-taking app and a personalized calendar, a spokesperson said. That doesn't mean there's no place for designers inside companies with the advent of AI. "The more time has gone on, the more that I'm confident in a designer's role — and believe that it's going to be one of the critical roles in bulding software in the future," Dylan Field, Figma's co-founder and CEO, said in conversation recently with Garry Tan, president and CEO of Silicon Valley startup accelerator Y Combinator. Also on Wednesday, Figma said it was beginning to test Figma Sites, another feature that requires full seats. It can convert designs into working websites. Support for AI code generation will follow in the next few weeks, Figma said. WATCH: The rise of AI 'vibe coding'
