Is coding essential in website design?
Hey everyone,
I have been asked to create some websites for some clients but wanted to know if I should be coding (my coding skills are only html and css) and I’m a little rusty.
So wanted to ask, if it was professional to use a website builder like square space to build a website for a client?
Thanks in advance!
Hayley x
Replies11
- Hi, using a website builder like Squarespace or Webflow is entirely professional, especially if you're comfortable with HTML and CSS. It allows you to focus on design and user experience without diving deep into coding. However, if you're considering more complex features or integrations in the future, having a basic understanding of JavaScript could be beneficial. For further guidance on navigating website development challenges, you might find useful information at https://computools.com/blog/
- @Geoffrey BuntingHey!Thank you for your reply.I am defiantly keen to learn web design so will be brushing up on my coding as I would want to make the website unique to the client.Notes everything you said, cheers! ☺️
- @Lauren HarrisThank you for your reply :)I have heard many good things about web flow, so I’m defiantly going to be transitioning over there.Also really good to know that you have taught yourself some of these disciplines, really encouraging. I am currently doing that myself right now with branding, and I’m loving learning it :)Might take up your offer on some help with coding at some point haha - it’s a mind field!Thanks again! X
- @Tanel SThank you so much for your response. You have really put things into perspective!Great advice! :) feeling a bit more clarity now!
- @Andy ChaseOh great advice! Thank you so much ☺️
- Hey Heyley, If you are using Webflow to build your website, coding is not required. Don't lose your time with Squarespace and Wix. As soon as the project becomes a little complicated these platforms fail to deliver. Check out Webflow for a few days and you will never go back to other platforms. Cheers
- No its not actually. I know how to code hml/css and basic js however I do that rarely. There are people who code daily and who can take your designs and make them work in browsers.I usually like to code few simpler projects myself. Either experiment with some new stuff or just focus more on responsivness and details. Same time I can keep my skills updated and fresh.If you feel little rusty but have basic understanding of how hmtl/Css works I would also suggest to go with Webflow route.Framer is probably fun for some weekend projects and just to familiarize yourself whats possible. It is updated oftend I I believe that it is serious competitor for Webflow soon.If it is professional to use website builder?Yes 100%.Though there are a lot of people who take mostly Squarespace templates and perhaps change font family and logo and maybe some colours and sell it as unique website. This is wrong and unprofessional actually though you can make a lot of money with small amount of work. I personally don´t believe in templates and try to solve specific problems with my designs. How this design is brought to life depends on needs. Webflow, Wordpress or something else.
- @Hayley JonesA bit of both. I went to a coding bootcamp a few years back. However, I'm in the no-code space now. I'm more of a visual creator so software development wasn't for me.I had to teach myself UX / UI design, accessibility, SEO and marketing design because there's so much to building effective websites.Personally, I'd recommend a website builder like Webflow because its very flexible but I'm a bit biased haha. Framer is also another popular choice for designers.If you have any other questions, you can DM me anytime and I'll be happy to answer!
- No. There are a lot of tools that provide some form of WYSIWYG web design, which also have that added benefit of allowing your client to manage the site after you're done. It's a reason I like Squarespace because it's pretty restrictive as a baseline, meaning it's hard for the client to break anything.That being said, if you're not a professional web designer you're going to have to bring something else to the process (good design sense, etc) to make you building a CMS site worth it compared to a client doing it themselves.You should also have some familiarity with code to develop integrations and allow you to add scripts that a site may support but not offer.I much prefer leaving this stuff to professionals (actual web designers) but for clients it's not always easy to distinguish between someone who uses CMS and has design skills and a jobbing amateur, so for simple sites I tend to fall on let's get someone who vaguely knows what they're doing. But I'd also want them to have some experience with coding for the reason mentioned above.
- @Lauren HarrisHi Lauren,Thank you for your reply :)That is helpful to know! I guess I will brush up on my coding skills then.I’m interested to know, are you self taught or did you go to school and study website design/development?Thanks,Hayley
- Hi HayleyYes, it's recommended that you know basic Javascript. Builders like Squarespace are limited and you'll find clients will want integrations that require some level of coding.Lots of professional web designers use Squarespace though. I personally use Webflow because you can do much more with it without having to jump into custom code.Although knowing how to code is helpful, a lot of designers find it easier to outsource complex development projects.Hopefully this helps :)
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