Figma

What Is Figma?

Figma is a collaborative design platform used to design, prototype, and iterate on digital interfaces in real time. In the website builders category, it is not a traditional site builder that publishes pages directly, but a tool where websites are designed, reviewed, and handed off before development. In practice, teams use Figma to design landing pages, marketing sites, product interfaces, and design systems in a shared canvas where multiple people can work at once. It fits into workflows where design needs to move quickly between designers, product managers, marketers, and developers without file handovers. Changes are visible instantly, comments sit directly on designs, and versions are tracked automatically. Figma adds value by acting as the single source of truth for website design, while staying out of hosting, CMS, and deployment concerns.

Key Features of Figma

• A browser based design canvas that supports real time multiplayer editing, allowing designers and stakeholders to work in the same file without exporting assets.
• Components and design systems that let teams reuse patterns across pages and projects, reducing inconsistency but requiring upfront structure to maintain properly.
• Prototyping tools that link screens together with interactions, helping teams review flows before any code is written, though they are not a replacement for live testing.
• Commenting and version history built directly into files, keeping feedback and decisions attached to specific design elements rather than scattered across tools.
• Developer handoff features that expose spacing, colours, and assets for implementation, which speeds collaboration but still depends on clean design practices.

Pros

• Removes friction between design and feedback by keeping everyone in one shared environment.
• Real time collaboration avoids outdated files and duplicated work, which matters in fast moving teams.
• Strong component system supports consistent website design at scale when multiple pages or contributors are involved.
• Accessible in the browser, reducing setup time and making it easier for non designers to review and comment.

Cons

• Does not publish or host websites, so it must be paired with development or website building tools to go live.
• Large or poorly organised files can become hard to manage as projects grow.
• Advanced design system work requires discipline, otherwise components can become fragmented.
• Less suitable for simple one page sites where design and publishing speed matter more than collaboration.

Best Use Cases for Figma

• Designing a marketing website where multiple stakeholders need to review layouts, copy placement, and visual hierarchy before build.
• Creating and maintaining a shared design system that supports consistent web pages across teams and products.
• Prototyping website flows to validate structure and navigation prior to development.
• Collaborating with developers by providing a clear visual reference and implementation details in one place.

Who Uses Figma?

Figma is used by designers, product teams, marketers, and developers working on digital products and websites. It fits best in teams of two or more where collaboration and iteration are constant. Solo designers also use it as their primary design tool, but its real advantage shows up when feedback loops matter. Users typically have moderate to high design literacy, while non designers engage through comments and reviews rather than editing. It may be unnecessary for very small projects where a direct website builder is faster.

Pricing for Figma

• Free plan supports basic design and collaboration with limits on files and advanced features, suitable for small projects or early exploration.
• Paid plans are charged per editor and unlock unlimited files, advanced prototyping, and team level controls.
• Organisation and enterprise tiers add permissions, security features, and admin tooling, which matter at scale.
• Costs increase with the number of active editors rather than viewers, influencing how teams assign access.

How Figma Compares to Similar Tools

Figma differs from traditional website builders by focusing entirely on design rather than publishing. Compared to tools that combine design and hosting, it offers deeper collaboration and system level thinking but requires a separate step to go live. Against desktop design software, Figma’s browser based, real time approach reduces handoff friction and version issues. It is also more flexible than no code builders for complex layouts, but slower if the goal is a quick, live page with minimal iteration. Teams that prioritise clarity, alignment, and reuse tend to favour Figma, while those optimising for speed to publish often choose direct builders.

Key Takeaways for Figma

• Figma is best viewed as a collaborative design workspace rather than a publishing tool.
• It excels when multiple people need to review and iterate on website designs.
• Design systems and components add long term value but require structure and upkeep.
• It works best when paired with development or no code tools for deployment.

Tezons Insight on Figma

Figma earns its place when website design is a shared responsibility rather than a solo task. It shines in environments where clarity and alignment matter more than immediate launch, such as marketing teams refining landing pages or product teams standardising site layouts. In a broader stack, it usually sits upstream of no code builders or custom development, acting as the decision making layer before anything is built. The main tradeoff is speed versus control. You gain collaboration, consistency, and visibility at the cost of an extra step before publishing. For operators managing ongoing websites with multiple contributors, that tradeoff is often worthwhile.