Hey guys, which platform is used by the majority of web designers while making websites? I am interested in learning which platforms are now the industry standard and why they are preferred over others. Any opinions on how well these platforms work, how customizable they are, and how satisfied customers are?
Hi. Most web designers use platforms like Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, Hostinger, and GoDaddy.
There is no single dominant platform in the web design industry. The best choice depends on the project’s specific needs and the designer’s preferences.
Here’s an overview of popular options:
Website Building Platforms:
- Wix: A user-friendly drag-and-drop website builder with a wide template selection. Great for beginners and simple websites, but may be limiting for complex functionalities or highly customized designs.
- Squarespace: Known for its aesthetic templates and ease of use. Ideal for creative professionals and portfolios, similar to Wix in terms of limitations for complex features.
- Webflow: Offers more design flexibility and allows code export, appealing to designers wanting both ease of use and customization beyond Wix or Squarespace.
Content Management Systems (CMS):
- WordPress: Powers over 43% of websites globally with extensive plugins and themes for customization. Requires some technical knowledge but suitable for various projects.
- Drupal: A secure, flexible open-source CMS for complex or enterprise-level websites, demanding significant development expertise.
Choosing the Right Platform:
Consider these factors when selecting a platform:
- Project Complexity: Assess the website’s functionalities and customization needs.
- Client Skills: Evaluate client’s technical abilities for managing the site.
- Your Expertise: Choose a platform aligned with your web design skills.
Industry Standards and Preferences:
WordPress leads due to its versatility, but Wix and Squarespace are popular for simpler projects. Webflow is gaining traction for its blend of user-friendliness and design control.
Customer Satisfaction:
Satisfaction varies based on platform features and support. WordPress and Wix offer extensive resources, while others may require more reliance on paid support.
Ultimately, the best platform depends on project specifics and your comfort with its tools and capabilities.
WordPress is the most used platform used by web designers.
It is loved because, it is user-friendly, customizable, and has a vast plugin ecosystem.
You can also try to be unique and try Joomla which is highly customized and hence preferred by advanced developers with programming knowledge in HTML and PHP.
General for the company:
Git / GitLab
Vagrant + VirtualBox for simulating Ubuntu for the local environment
Actual tools:
Sublime (despite the backend guy constantly telling me to switch to emacs)
Sass + Compass
Photoshop for anything web
Illustrator for anything logo based
The best is Webflow. I’m not sure why, but it seems like this discussion is mainly about outdated web designs. Because you can create processes and automations without using third-party open-source software, Webflow is perfect.
Hello, WordPress is ideal if you require more functionality than a few static pages, but it is frequently overkill for a simple portfolio.