Framer – AI-Powered Website Builder

Create Stunning Websites with Framer’s Design-First Platform

Framer has transformed from a prototyping tool into a comprehensive website builder that combines powerful design capabilities with AI-powered generation and intuitive publishing workflows. The platform attracts designers and creators who demand creative control while appreciating modern features like AI content generation, responsive design automation, and seamless animation integration that make professional web creation accessible without coding expertise.

Originally focused on interactive prototyping for mobile and web applications, Framer pivoted to website building as the team recognized the potential to apply their design-centric philosophy to actual web publishing. This heritage shows in every aspect of the platform, from the attention to animation and interaction detail to the component-based architecture that promotes both creativity and efficiency. The result is a website builder that feels designed by designers for designers.

AI-Powered Features

AI Website Generation

Framer’s AI capabilities enable website creation from text descriptions, generating complete page designs based on natural language prompts. Users describe their business, purpose, or aesthetic preferences, and the AI produces starting points that can be refined through traditional editing. This approach dramatically accelerates the initial design phase while maintaining flexibility for customization.

The AI generates appropriate layouts, selects relevant images from integrated stock libraries, and composes placeholder text matching the described purpose. Multiple generation options provide choices when the first result doesn’t match expectations. The generated designs follow current web design best practices, ensuring professional foundations even from brief descriptions.

AI Content Writing

Integrated AI assists with copywriting tasks throughout the design process. Headlines, body text, and calls to action generate based on context and purpose. The AI understands website content conventions, producing appropriate text for different page types and sections. This assistance addresses the common challenge of filling designs with effective content.

Tone and style adjustments refine generated content to match brand voice. Multiple variations enable selection of the best option rather than accepting first drafts. The copywriting AI complements design capabilities, addressing both visual and textual aspects of website creation.

Visual Design System

Canvas-Based Editor

The Framer canvas provides freeform design capabilities familiar to users of tools like Figma or Sketch. Elements position precisely with alignment guides and spacing tools. The design environment removes the rigid constraints of traditional website builders, enabling creative layouts that wouldn’t emerge from template-based approaches.

Layer management organizes complex designs with grouping, naming, and visibility controls. The interface balances creative freedom with structure, guiding users toward maintainable designs without imposing limitations. Keyboard shortcuts accelerate common operations for experienced users while remaining optional for those preferring visual interaction.

Component Architecture

Components enable reusable design elements that maintain consistency and simplify updates. Header, footer, and navigation components appear across pages while remaining editable in single locations. Custom components encapsulate any design pattern for reuse within or across projects.

Component variants handle states like hover, active, or different sizes within unified definitions. Property controls expose customization options when placing component instances. This architecture brings software development principles to visual design, promoting maintainability as projects grow.

Responsive Design

Breakpoint system enables layouts that adapt across device sizes. Desktop, tablet, and mobile views show simultaneously during design, revealing responsive behavior immediately. Smart components adjust automatically while allowing manual override for specific breakpoints.

The responsive approach generates efficient CSS rather than separate mobile sites. Content reflows intelligently while maintaining design intent across screen sizes. This technical implementation matches modern web development standards through visual tools.

Animation and Interaction

Built-in Animations

Pre-built animation presets apply sophisticated motion with single clicks. Entrance animations reveal elements as pages load or scroll into view. Hover effects provide feedback on interactive elements. The animation library covers common needs while serving as starting points for customization.

Animation timing, easing, and sequencing adjust through visual controls. Multiple animations combine for complex choreographed effects. The generated code performs efficiently across devices, avoiding the performance pitfalls of carelessly implemented web animations.

Scroll-Based Effects

Scroll-triggered animations respond to page position, creating dynamic experiences as users navigate. Parallax effects add depth through differential scroll speeds. Progress indicators and reveal sequences maintain engagement through longer pages.

The scroll animation system balances creative possibility with practical restraint. Guardrails prevent effects that would cause performance issues or accessibility problems. The result enables impressive scroll experiences without the technical debt of custom implementations.

Page Transitions

Smooth transitions between pages create cohesive experiences that feel more like applications than traditional websites. Shared element transitions maintain visual continuity across navigation. These touches elevate perceived quality without requiring animation expertise.

CMS Capabilities

Collections

CMS collections manage structured content for blogs, portfolios, team pages, and other dynamic content. Custom fields define content structure with text, media, date, and reference types. Collection items populate designed templates, enabling content updates without design changes.

Dynamic pages generate automatically from collection items using configured templates. Filtering and sorting organize collection displays. The CMS integrates seamlessly with the visual design system, maintaining design control over data-driven pages.

Content Editing

The content editor provides simplified access for updating collection items and page content. Role-based access enables content teams to update sites without design access. The editing interface focuses on content rather than layout, preventing unintended design changes.

Scheduled publishing queues content updates for future dates. Version history tracks changes and enables rollback. These editorial features support content programs beyond initial site creation.

Integrations and Extensions

Third-Party Integrations

Native integrations connect Framer with analytics, marketing, and business tools. Google Analytics tracks visitor behavior. Marketing integrations capture leads and sync with CRM systems. E-commerce plugins enable selling through Framer sites.

Custom Code

Code embedding allows custom functionality beyond built-in capabilities. React components integrate for developers wanting programmatic control. The code capabilities extend Framer for technical users while remaining optional for design-focused workflows.

Plugins

The plugin ecosystem adds specialized capabilities through community contributions. Icon libraries, additional component sets, and utility functions expand available tools. Plugin installation happens within the platform, maintaining the integrated experience.

Publishing and Hosting

Framer Hosting

Built-in hosting deploys sites globally with CDN distribution for fast loading worldwide. SSL certificates provision automatically for secure connections. The hosting infrastructure handles traffic without user management, removing operational concerns from creative focus.

Custom Domains

Custom domain connection brands sites with organizational domains. DNS configuration guides users through setup requirements. The domain system supports both root domains and subdomains for various use cases.

SEO Features

Page metadata controls customize how sites appear in search results. Open Graph settings determine social media previews. Automatic sitemap generation aids search engine indexing. These SEO features enable visibility without technical configuration.

Pricing Structure

Free Tier

The free plan enables site creation with Framer subdomain publishing. Learning and experimentation happen without commitment. Limitations on custom domains and CMS encourage upgrades for serious projects.

Paid Plans

Mini, Basic, and Pro tiers progressively unlock features including custom domains, CMS limits, and collaboration capabilities. Pricing remains accessible for individual creators while scaling for team and agency needs.

Team Plans

Team subscriptions add collaboration features including shared libraries, team billing, and workspace management. Enterprise options provide additional security features and priority support.

Target Users

Designers

Designers appreciate the creative control and design-tool familiarity that Framer provides. The transition from tools like Figma requires minimal adjustment while adding publication capabilities. Portfolio sites and client projects benefit from design flexibility beyond template limitations.

Founders and Marketers

Non-technical founders launch professional web presences without developer involvement. Marketing teams create landing pages and campaign sites independently. The AI features particularly benefit users who want quick results without extensive design experience.

Agencies

Design agencies deliver client websites efficiently while maintaining creative standards. Client handoff enables ongoing content management without agency involvement. The platform suits agencies positioning on design quality rather than volume.

Framer represents the convergence of design tool sophistication with website builder practicality, enhanced by AI capabilities that accelerate creation while maintaining creative control. For creators who refuse to compromise on design quality while demanding modern web capabilities, Framer provides a platform that respects both creative vision and practical requirements for successful web presence.