There are many choices when it comes to designing/publishing web sites. The simple question here: Why do you choose Blocs, or Squarespace, or Wix, or any of the others which may have popped up new today? I have been thinking about testing Squarespace for a while—as the editing seems so floating and easy, smart functions etc when I check videos about it on Youtube—but in the same moment I also think: Why Would I like Squarespace better when I have used Blocs for maybe 3 years? Isn’t that also floating, easy and smart? For me working in Blocs is not easy. The “Blocs” are always so static, like square robots (a bloc), which doesn’t seem to be the case in some of the other online editors. Why?
Can you explain / expand upon exactly what you mean by this ?
to bring tiny info through my XP
I came from Squarespace there I am member of the CIRCLE (kind of user who made many websites through this platform for clients), I have advantages and so on…
why I switched from Squarespace to blocs?
by watching videos of @Eldar and his way to use blocs (by the way, he needs to confirm or not: he uses squarespace a lot and made videos on square space vs blocs)
anyway, I will not come back to squarespace when I need liberty on how to design website
square space is just a way to do it plug and play
YES blocs is clearly not easy
YES square space let you design something in it in few minutes (if u copy a template),
YES square space is plug and play and easy to track infos (visitors etc etc) all included
but from my point of view and my way to think about managing websites:
BLOCS is far above it
customers in Japan doesn’t like so much to have datas everywhere, much more temples( yes they are also customers)
some infos on internet or tv shows that their datas are used by google, etc etc for different stuffs (true or not it is not the point)
My server renting is based in OSAKA (Japan) and only there, which is great value for future customers
Also the requests are also pretty original sometimes and not easy for me to involve in Squarespace
what you mean by “The “Blocs” are always so static, like square robots (a bloc),”
Does it means that it is static and not animated at all?
Does it means that u don’t have freedom as others platforms?
Also about others platforms
some are more trendy than square space
WEBFLOW, FRAMER, etc etc
last point
many people consider UI and UX identical so for some: the job done on FIGMA for example can be easily export to others platforms in HTML
(i was one of them) but after trying it, today I consider that it is IMPOSSIBLE
meaning if you want to have a trendy website with crazy UI, none of the platforms which exist can give you everything from FIGMA animations without coding
Thanks for this info. What I mean with “Blocs” are always so static, like square robots (a bloc)” is like the “grid” in BLOCS is too big, not possible to “freely” place objects as sometimes wanted, maybe this is part of the “bootstrap” technology, it may not be possible to move things around without this big “grid”. I don’t know. But to summarise, this feels like a design limitation and it really stops the flow.
ok if I understand well you would love to see blocs WYSIWYG
you move a text, an image or anything else and then it stays where u put it
instead of working with row / column / width / offset
and/or grid container / flex container
yes there is some steps between result and project/wireframe
Yes, more of a WYSIWYG is what I probably wish for
If you’re not a member already you might consider signing up for @Eldar’s Blocs Master Course.
As it may help ensure you’re getting the most out of Blocs from a workflow and feature capabilities standpoint. Maybe being more confident in the usage of the app and its features would allow you to focus more on design freedom?
There is also the free Blocs Academy where you may find some nuggets.
Yes, I have used Squarespace even before I have heard about Blocs. I am still one of the certified experts (previously authorized trainer program) for Squarespace, and I do love the platform for a specific type of the projects. Basically, for creative people (artists, signers, etc) or some professionals who want to have a stylish website with simple buitl-in content management system, which is easy to update even by themselves.
Squarespace and Blocs are both great, and have pros and cons. I think I have done a few videos about it in the past, but I might do another one soon. A lot of cool plans for my YouTube channels too (just got a new camera and other great)
You have been doing a lot of great videos and instructions, Eldar, keep doing that! It’s for sure fast spinning times these days, probably just like always, but maybe even faster now, today I happened to jump upon a thing named “Framer” which I will also check out now…
A note here which is very important: When I started using BLOCS some years ago, may have been 2019, I came from Adobe MUSE, which was a good application in many ways, but the strange thing when working in MUSE was I was always totally exhausted when been working in it for some hours, both physically and mentally which has not happened in the same way when using BLOCS, so this was a game changer for me! Let’s see what might happen now if i start testing out other web design tools, like Framer for example…
From the Framer website:
“use absolute positioning, and easily adapt your design for any screen size.”
This seems rather counter intuitive, which their own breakpoint video demonstrates that it indeed is.
I cannot with a clear conscience really recommend any of the following. But if the most important thing to you is freely moving stuff around a canvas, then the following mac apps exist: NicePage, Everweb, Sparkle, etc. You may find some comfort in moving things around but also quickly be left desiring other abilities, features, support, etc.
With those along with Framer you won’t have true responsiveness by default like you do with Blocs. But if you don’t mind more clicking and if freely moving stuff around a canvas is paramount, then I guess you can find options if you don’t mind possibly extra work.
As stated above, I really think you would be better off gaining a better understanding of Blocs.
Thanks, I agree with what you say, already feel a bit exhausted, actually getting MUSE flashbacks-headache-palpitation after testing out Framer just a short time.