WordPress vs Framer: Which Website Builder Is Right for You?
Table of Contents
- What is a Framer?
- What is WordPress?
- Comparison Summary: WordPress vs Framer
- WordPress vs Framer Comparison in Detail
- Drawbacks of Framer vs WordPress
- Conclusion
- Looking to Get Your WordPress Website Designed by Professionals?
Framer is a new platform for building websites, mostly used by designers who want to create their own sites without relying on developers for coding.
Recently, there’s been a lot of debate about whether Framer is better than WordPress for web design.
Questions like “Is Framer better for business and portfolio websites?” or “Is Framer suitable for e-commerce websites?” are popping up all over online forums.
In this article, we’ll dive into WordPress and Framer, breaking down their strengths and weaknesses so you can figure out which platform is the right fit for your website needs—whether it’s design-focused or business-oriented.
What is a Framer?
Framer is a website development platform, similar to Webflow and Squarespace, that allows users to build their own websites from scratch. With its modular approach, users can either create custom modules or add pre-made templates to quickly design and develop their sites. This makes building a professional-looking website accessible, even for those with no prior experience in web design or development. Framer offers various pricing plans, with the basic package starting at $15, while the CMS package begins at $30.
What is WordPress?
We all know about WordPress; it’s one of the best self-hosted and self-managed website development platforms out there. It allows users to create their own websites using themes and enhance them with plugins. You can install the WordPress framework from WordPress.org using FTP or WordPress managed hosting, and the best part?
It’s completely free.
Most plugins available for WordPress are also free, which makes it super accessible. As of now, nearly 44% of websites on the internet are using WordPress in one way or another, highlighting its widespread popularity.
Comparison Summary: WordPress vs Framer
Too long to read it all? You can check out the comparison table below to get the gist of the article.
| Feature | Framer | WordPress |
| Ease of Use | – Simple drag-and-drop interface- Ideal for designers without coding experience | – User-friendly with Gutenberg block editor– Suitable for all skill levels |
| Customisation and Flexibility | – Integrates with Figma for animations- Limited back-end customisation- Focus on front-end design | – Extensive plugins and themes available- Supports code-level customisations- Highly flexible for various website types |
| Performance | – Fast loading times for simple sites- Performance can decline with heavy animations | – Performance varies based on hosting and plugins- Highly scalable with optimization options |
| SEO Capabilities | – Limited SEO options- Difficult to implement advanced SEO practices | – Built-in SEO tools and plugins available- Proven effective for driving organic traffic |
| Pricing | – Starts at $15/month (basic) and $30/month (CMS)- Pricing increases with more pages and features | – Free to use with hosting costs (from $5/month)- No platform fees; costs associated with hosting and plugins |
| Use Cases and Ideal Users | – Best for designers and visually rich websites- Ideal for portfolios and small business sites | – Suitable for a wide range of websites, including e-commerce, blogs, and large enterprises |
| Drawbacks | – SEO challenges- Tiered pricing model limits scalability- Restricted customisation and content management | – Maintenance issues (frequent updates)- Complexity in certain customisations- Security vulnerabilities if not maintained properly |
WordPress vs Framer Comparison in Detail
1. Ease of Use
Framer
Framer is a design-centric platform with a simple drag-and-drop interface. It’s super easy to use and perfect for designers who don’t have any coding experience. If you want to create your own layouts without diving into code, it’s a no-brainer. Framer works with modules—there are tons of free ones available for every section in its library. It’s great for basic, beginner-level sites, but it doesn’t have detailed back-end support, so it’s not the right tool if you’re looking to build web apps or need custom database access.
WordPress
WordPress.org offers free access, making it a great choice for anyone looking to build a website. Its Gutenberg block editor simplifies development, allowing users to easily create sites without needing advanced coding skills. You can choose from a wide range of templates to match any design style, and for professionals, there’s full support for custom development.
With thousands of plugins available, you can customise both the front-end and back-end of your site. WordPress also provides direct access to the database, supporting database customisations and modifications. It’s a versatile platform that can be used for e-commerce stores, business websites, web apps, portfolio sites, and even large-scale platforms and portals. It’s designed for users of all levels and supports various use cases, making it a great website development platform for all.
2. Customisation and Flexibility
Framer
Framer integrates directly with Figma, making it easy to add interactions and animations seamlessly. You have the freedom to create any kind of animation, with no limits—perfect for designing dynamic, interactive websites. However, this can make the site a bit heavy. It excels at on-page customisations, like fold customisations and specific actions on the page.
On the downside, Framer has limits when it comes to back-end customisation. There’s no support for custom coding, so if you’re looking for deeper functionality beyond front-end design, it may not be the best fit.
WordPress
WordPress offers numerous plugins to address just about any need, giving you flexibility in how you build and manage your site. You can also make code-level customisations directly through theme files, and even modify the database as needed. It supports advanced setups like creating a headless WordPress, making it a versatile platform for all kinds of website development. Whether it’s an e-commerce site, a portfolio, or a full-fledged platform, WordPress handles it all without issues.
3. Performance
Framer
Framer is optimised for speed, with its basic framework offering impressively fast loading times, making it great for daily use. However, speed can vary depending on the complexity of animations, interactions, and graphics used. The more of these elements you add, the heavier the site becomes.
In terms of scalability, it’s mostly limited by the level of customisation. While CMS scalability is possible for larger sites, you’ll need to upgrade packages as your site grows.
WordPress
WordPress performance depends on the hosting provider, theme, and plugins you choose. It’s completely scalable, making it suitable for e-commerce sites and web apps. There are plenty of performance-focused plugins and tools available to enhance speed and optimise your site. Plus, you have the option for direct performance optimisations through coding or settings adjustments. Improving site speed on WordPress is manageable with the right resources and configurations.
4. SEO Capabilities
Framer
SEO has its limitations when using Framer due to several constraints. Framer often lacks customisation options, making it challenging to implement advanced SEO practices or directly modify the sitemap. This can restrict the ability to optimise a site fully. Additionally, while CMS functionality is built-in, it limits control over important on-page elements and URL structures, meaning critical SEO data and URL hierarchy aren’t as customisable as needed for optimal performance.
These limitations make Framer less suitable for websites that depend heavily on organic traffic, as its flexibility is not enough to meet advanced SEO requirements. However, for small to medium-sized websites that do not require extensive SEO efforts, Framer can still be a practical option. In summary, Framer is effective for simpler sites but may not be the best choice for those with significant SEO priorities, as it lacks the necessary flexibility and customisation options.
WordPress
WordPress, on the other hand, is specifically designed for SEO-driven websites. We have countless examples of news and blogging sites pulling in millions of viewers directly from search engines like Google or Bing, with around 100,000 keywords ranking across these platforms. This shows that WordPress can easily handle websites of this scale and deliver results.
SEO on WordPress is not just possible; it’s proven and effective. The platform provides a lot of built-in tools and plugins specifically for SEO, making it a reliable choice for building and optimizing websites aimed at driving organic traffic. With all these resources, achieving strong SEO performance and scaling websites on WordPress is very realistic.
5. Pricing
Framer
Framer is a hosted platform, meaning you’ll need to host your website directly through Framer rather than using an external hosting provider like WordPress. The cost for hosting your website starts at $30 per month. Framer’s pricing structure is straightforward, offering a set of features with each package. It’s a great option for those who lack technical experience or prefer not to manage their website’s backend or hire a developer. For small websites, such as portfolios, storefronts, or basic sites that don’t require extensive backend functionality, Framer is a solid choice.
WordPress
WordPress.org is completely free to use. The platform is offered by the WordPress organization at no cost, allowing anyone to manage their website using this system. You can usually install WordPress through your hosting provider’s control panel, like cPanel, or set it up on your own hosting solution if available. The main expense lies in hosting, which can range from as low as $5 per month for basic hosting to up to $500 per month for a virtual private server (VPS). However, when it comes to the platform itself, WordPress.org has no associated fees—it’s entirely free.
6. Use Cases and Ideal Users
WordPress
WordPress is an excellent platform for anyone looking to host various types of websites, including complex web applications, e-commerce stores, blogs, news sites, or even large enterprise websites. Its scalability ensures that you can launch and manage your website effortlessly, while maintaining top speed and handling high visitor traffic without any issues. The platform offers extensive support through plugins, making it perfect for those who prefer a no-code solution. With just a few installations, you can get your website up and running without touching a line of code—though the option to customise with code is also available for more advanced users. WordPress caters to everyone, from beginners to experts, and is suitable for everything from simple portfolio sites to advanced e-commerce stores and web apps.
Framer
Framer, on the other hand, is ideal for designers and visually rich websites that focus more on aesthetics than marketing. It’s perfect for portfolio sites, design agencies, or anyone who wants to showcase their design capabilities in a visually appealing way. Framer is tailored for those who want a no-code solution that emphasises design, making it an excellent choice for creating eye-catching websites without getting into technical complexities. However, it does come with some limitations, particularly on the business and customisation fronts. The platform is great for small businesses or individuals looking for a quick and visually appealing setup, but it has limitations when it comes to flexibility and customisation. Additionally, its pricing increases based on the traffic and the amount of content on the site, which is an important consideration for those planning to scale.
Drawbacks of Framer vs WordPress
Framer
When it comes to Framer, there are several limitations and drawbacks to consider.
- SEO Challenges: The biggest limitation is in the SEO department. Websites that aim to attract organic traffic will face significant challenges, as the technical issues that arise are often complex and difficult to resolve. This makes it hard for users to optimize their sites effectively.
- Pricing Structure: Framer uses a tiered pricing model where features are tied to the number of pages you can have. For example, the basic package allows for only 10 pages. As your site grows and requires more pages, you’ll find yourself having to pay more. This can create constant concern about costs, which isn’t ideal for sustainable growth.
- customisation Limitations: With Framer, you’re restricted to a module-based system, meaning you can’t code anything yourself or add custom scripts directly to your site. You simply drag and drop modules to build your site, limiting your ability to tailor the backend to your specific needs.
- Scalability Issues: Scalability is another concern. If you have a specific number of visitors and content pieces, you’re already reaching the ceiling of what Framer can handle. To scale, you’re forced to move to a higher pricing tier, which isn’t the best approach. During peak times, like Black Friday or holidays, this can create uncertainty about whether to increase your pricing temporarily.
- Content Management Restrictions: In the basic package, you’re limited to only a couple of same-as options, whether it’s for blogs, news, or any other type of content. If you want to expand, you’ll have to upgrade your pricing package. This restriction on content management can hold back growth in the long run.
WordPress
When it comes to WordPress, there are certainly some limitations because this web platform is not free of drawbacks.
- Maintenance Issues: First, there’s the maintenance issue. WordPress provides regular updates, typically around 22 to 26 times a year. This means you have to update your website every 15 days, which can become a hassle. If maintenance isn’t done right, it can lead to errors that break your website, resulting in frustrating downtime. You might need to spend extra time or even hire someone to fix these issues, so maintenance is definitely a concern.
- Complexity in customisations: Next is the complexity of customisations. While WordPress is user-friendly for most tasks, certain customisations can get tricky. If you’re not familiar with coding, particularly PHP, you might need to hire a developer to make the changes you want. Additionally, altering the functions.php file can potentially break your website, so it requires expertise that not everyone has.
- Learning Curve: There’s also a learning curve. Although WordPress isn’t overly complicated, new users might find it challenging to manage their site initially. Unlike Framer, which has straightforward resources, WordPress documentation often comes from the community rather than official sources. This can make it harder to find reliable information, especially for beginners.
- Security Vulnerabilities: Finally, we have security vulnerabilities. WordPress is not completely secure if updates aren’t performed regularly. With approximately 44% of websites globally running on WordPress, it’s a prime target for hackers. If your site isn’t maintained properly, you risk exposing it to potential threats, making security a significant concern for WordPress users.
Conclusion
When choosing between Framer and WordPress, it’s essential to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each platform to determine which best aligns with your needs.
Framer is a great website development platform designed for designers and creatives looking to craft visually stunning websites without delving into coding. With its intuitive drag-and-drop features, users can easily create dynamic sites that include interactions and animations. However, Framer does come with limitations, particularly in SEO capabilities, and its tiered pricing model may restrict scalability for larger projects.
In contrast, WordPress offers a more versatile and user-friendly solution, suitable for everything from basic websites to advanced e-commerce solutions and web applications. As it powers nearly half of all websites globally, WordPress provides the flexibility to grow alongside your business needs. Its extensive ecosystem of themes and plugins allows users to customise their sites significantly. However, WordPress does present challenges, such as a steeper learning curve and potential customisation limitations without technical expertise.
In summary, if your primary focus is on design and you prefer a straightforward approach, Framer may be the ideal choice for you. However, if you seek a sustainable platform that can support high performance and effective traffic generation over time, WordPress is the more strategic option. Ultimately, consider your project’s goals, required features, and long-term vision to make the best decision for your website.
Looking to Get Your WordPress Website Designed by Professionals?
WP Creative is one of the top WordPress design agencies in Australia. We specialise in designing websites for enterprises, B2B companies, and eCommerce stores. If you’re looking for a website that not only stands out but also markets itself and drives conversions, we are the right team for you. Get in touch today for an estimate on your next website design project!
