Let’s cut straight to the chase: Should you learn Framer in 2024?
With a sea of design tools out there, from Webflow to WordPress, is Framer just another shiny object that will soon fade, or does it offer something special that can genuinely level up your design game?
Well, stick around, and let's dive into why you should (or shouldn't) hop on the Framer train.
Spoiler alert: It's worth it, but let's see why!
What is Framer?
If you’re reading this blog post, chances are you’ve heard of Framer. But what exactly is it?
Framer started as a prototyping tool aimed at designers who wanted to build interactive prototypes that went beyond just static images.
But that’s old news.
Fast forward and Framer has evolved into a full-blown website builder.
It’s a platform where you can build, design, and publish live websites.
You can design on a free-form canvas (very similar to Figma) and then, with a single click, launch your website.
SEO optimized. Super fast. Zero hassle.
No need to worry about code, either.
Framer is all about making your site live without needing to learn complex languages like HTML, CSS, or JavaScript.
So, who’s using Framer these days?
Developers, designers, and anyone creative who wants a stunning, responsive website—without all the headaches.
Why is Framer Still Relevant in 2024?
If you've been around X, ProductHunt, or the tech space in general, you'd have heard of Framer by now.
But, let’s be honest: Framer has some pretty stiff competition.
Webflow. WordPress. Wix. Squarespace. The good old-fashioned, hard-coded approach.
But I think Framer does a few things well:
1. It’s Fast
Want a website live in minutes? Framer’s got you covered.
Whether you're launching a blog, portfolio, or a full-on business site, the process is smooth and intuitive.
2. SEO Friendly
Framer bakes SEO best practices into the platform, so you don’t have to stress about optimizing every little element.
The days of stressing over slow loading speeds and bad Google Lighthouse scores are behind you.
3. User-Friendly
Framer's interface is designed to be intuitive.
It’s built for designers, but developers can appreciate the clean code that Framer outputs behind the scenes.
4. Interactive & Animated Websites
You can create fully interactive websites without a single line of code.
Want a button to trigger a sweet animation? Done. Need a scroll-triggered effect? Framer has you covered.
5. Add Custom Code
If you want to integrate React for even more advanced functionality, Framer supports that too, making it a powerhouse for both designers and developers.
6. Built To Scale
Framer also offers some sweet features like auto layout, smart components, and variables, which make building responsive, interactive sites a breeze.
7. Regular Updates
One of the best things about Framer is the team and their constant pushes! They release updates every few weeks adding new features based on what the community is demanding. Neat.
Where Framer Falls Short?
Now, I’ll be the first admit that when compared to Webflow and WordPress, Framer lags behind in other features.
It does not have the advanced capabilities like some of these other design tools have.
However, while Webflow gives you more control over your code and WordPress offers endless plugins, Framer sits comfortably in the middle—easy for beginners yet robust enough for slightly more complex projects.
Plus, it's lightning-fast, especially compared to WordPress sites bogged down by plugins.
Is Framer Easy To Learn in 2024?
So, is Framer easy to learn? Well, that depends on where you're coming from.
If you’re already familiar with design tools like Figma, you’ll feel right at home. In fact the "Auto Layout" feature in Figma is exactly the "Stacks" feature in Framer.
They're both designed to make responsive and dynamic websites.
The interface of Framer feels familiar to Figma, and you won’t need to scratch your head too much.
But if you’re a developer used to coding websites from scratch?
Framer might take a little getting used to. It’s designed with designers in mind first, which means the way you build layouts and interactions might feel a bit foreign at first.
Who Should Learn Framer?
This one’s easy. Let’s break it down:
1. UX/UI Designers
If you're a designer looking to build stunning, interactive prototypes or websites without getting into the weeds of code, Framer is perfect.
The design-to-live-publish workflow is smooth as butter.
2. Developers
While Framer simplifies a lot, it also bridges the gap between design and development, allowing you to quickly mock up interactive designs, especially if you're integrating React.
3. Freelancers and Agencies
For freelancers, time is money.
Learning Framer can drastically speed up project delivery times. Instead of passing designs to a developer, you can build the site yourself and launch it in record time.
Agencies will also love Framer’s scalability, whether it’s a small project or a large-scale site.
Pros & Cons Of Framer
Pros Of Framer:
Easy, fast, intuitive.
Great for both designers and developers.
Perfect for interactive websites and live projects.
Websites are SEO ready - perfect for folks without any SEO knowledge
Growing support and community for feedback, resources, and questions
Cons Of Framer:
Slight learning curve for some, but nothing insurmountable.
Can not make (super) complex websites.
CMS is still not on the same level as WordPress or Webflow.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Framer?
Good question. This depends on how deep you want to dive.
For beginners, you can get comfortable with the basics of Framer in a week or two, especially with all the tutorials out there.
If you’re aiming for intermediate mastery, learning how to integrate advanced features like animations and interactivity might take a month or two of consistent practice.
And for experts? Mastering everything, including code integrations, might take a few months, but it’s definitely worth the time investment.
How Does Learning Framer Improve Your Career Prospects?
With the web moving towards more interactive, design-driven websites, Framer skills are becoming increasingly valuable.
In fact, if you search for the term “Framer Designer” on Google trends you can see the rise.
Startups, especially in tech, are always on the lookout for designers who can build functional websites and landing pages quickly.
Being able to launch websites, build interactive prototypes, and create stunning UX/UI designs gives you an edge in today's competitive market.
Where to Learn Framer
So, you're ready to dive in? Here are a few great places to get started:
Framer YouTube Channel: Packed with video tutorials.
Framer Academy: Lessons from Framer themselves.
Framer University: Lessons, Resources, & Components. Big fan!
AllAboutFramer.com: A great resource hub with guides, tips, and tricks.
Should You Learn Framer in 2024? (Final Verdict)
Here’s the bottom line: If you’re a designer, developer, freelancer, or agency looking for a tool that streamlines your workflow while offering a rich set of features, Framer is absolutely worth learning in 2024.
It's quick and easy to pick up, offers tons of templates, and community support.
The websites made with Framer are SEO ready, well optimized, and gives you the ability to make stunningly complex website with animations.
While it does lack in certain areas such as APIs, CMS, and other media limitations, it makes up with it's plethora of other features.
However, If you’re looking to build complex websites with user authentication, E-commerce, login portals, multiple advanced CMS collections then Framer isn’t the right tool for you (yet).
