Author: The Designer Review

I've been designing for the web since 2009, working across agency and in-house roles in SaaS, healthcare, finance, real estate, and small business. For the past several years I've been the sole designer keeping seven websites running for a healthcare agency, which means I've had to figure out a lot on my own, stay current on a lot at once, and make decisions that actually hold up in production. AI is changing what that work looks like, whether I like it or not. I care deeply about the environmental cost of these tools, which means I think hard about where AI earns its place and where it doesn't. That tension is exactly why I started The Designer Review: to cut through the noise and give you an honest read on what's actually worth using.

Best Website Builder for Service Business: Honest Picks

Most service businesses don’t have a website problem — they have a structure problem. Here’s how to choose the right builder so your site actually converts.

Webflow for Beginners: The Honest Truth About Who It Is Really For

Everyone praises Webflow, but almost no one tells beginners the truth about its learning curve. Here is who it is really for, and who should run the other way.

Wix Web Designers: Can You Really Use It for Client Work?

Wix web designers face this question constantly, and it is one of those topics that splits a room. One camp says real designers do not touch it. The other says it is the smartest, fastest way to deliver client sites. I build and manage production client sites on Wix for a living, so I am […]

Should You Use AI to Build Your Website? Honest Answer From a Designer

Everyone selling AI builders says ship in minutes. Every agency says hire a pro. Here’s the honest middle from a designer who has actually used the tools.

Website Not Getting Leads But Has Traffic? Here’s the Honest Reason Why

Beautiful site, steady traffic, empty inbox. The reason almost no one tells you, plus a real rebuild that tripled leads without changing a single pixel.

Framer for Photographers: An Honest 2026 Review

Framer for Photographers: An Honest 2026 Review Most reviews of Framer for photographers fall into the same trap. They list ten beautiful templates, call the design quality unmatched, drop in an affiliate link, and never tell you whether you should actually use it. This one is different. Framer is not the default website builder for […]

Framer vs Squarespace 2026: An Honest Designer’s Take

Most comparisons split this down designer vs. beginner lines. That framing is too simple. Here is how to actually decide between the two.

Best Webflow Alternatives for Small Business in 2026

Webflow is a powerful tool, for the right person. If you are a small business owner who just needs a site that looks good and actually gets used, the learning curve is rarely worth it. Here are the four alternatives that get you there faster.

Hourly Rate for a Web Designer: The Honest Answer in 2026

Setting your rate as a freelance web designer is less about what others charge and more about what your business actually needs. Here is how to work it out.

Framer vs Wix (2026): An Honest Take from a Wix Expert

If you are comparing Framer vs Wix right now, you have probably read a dozen posts that say roughly the same thing: Wix is for beginners, Framer is for designers, pick whichever fits your skill level. That framing is not wrong, but it is incomplete. I have spent years building in Wix across dozens of […]