Framer gives you the design freedom of a custom-built website without writing code. Sites load fast, the SEO controls are solid and the editor is simple enough to hand over to a client. It's the builder I use for client sites, and it's what DigiStacker is built on.

The short verdict

My score: 9.0/10 (Excellent). If you want a premium, design-led website without hiring developers, Framer is my top pick. If you're not a designer and just want a simple site live this weekend, a template-led builder may be easier.

What I like

• Design freedom without code. Layouts, animation and responsive breakpoints are all visual, so the site looks exactly as designed on every screen.

• Fast-loading sites. Speed matters for visitors and for Google, and Framer sites are quick out of the box.

• Easy CMS for blogs and listings. Articles, case studies and listings are managed like a simple spreadsheet, then flow into designed pages automatically.

What I'd watch out for

• Learning curve for non-designers. The freedom that makes Framer great also means there's more to learn if you've never designed a page.

• Limited built-in ecommerce. If selling products is the main job of your site, look at a builder built for shops.

• Pricing is per site. Each website needs its own plan, which adds up if you run several.

Who it's for

Brands that want a premium site without developers: service businesses, consultants, studios and startups whose website needs to look as good as their work.

Who should skip it

First-time site owners who want everything done for them may prefer Wix. Agencies building very large, content-heavy sites may want Webflow's deeper CMS.

Whatever you build on, make contact one tap away, say what you do in the first line, and give every service its own page.

The numbers

• Price from: $10/mo billed yearly

• Free plan: Yes

• Custom domain: Paid plans

• Best for: Design-led brands

Next steps

Build with Framer free or see all my website picks.