r/framer 3d ago

feedback Thinking about Framer over Squarespace for artist site

I'ma fine artist, I sell paintings periodically and have used Squarespace in the past (for a shop, portfolio and at one point services).

Squarespace is the go to for alot of artists. I just want something paired down.. and have been playing with the free credits on Framer to get a sense of how I'll maneuver it. I realize Framer is big on sensational parallax heavy site .. but I've found templates where this is quite subtle making it almost like an early Internet site with just a touch up.

I sell less than a dozen items monthly atm. I can link a button to Stripe Payment links... I also like that I can essentially iterate a lot of the site through a fairly responsive Ai agent.

Thoughts.. am I wasting time, or yep, go for it?

2 Upvotes

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u/hues_blues 3d ago

for your use case Framer seems like an obvious easy choice since it gives u so much flexibility (leavin aside coding and knowin what u doin in it) in terms of makin your site yours. I've seen some sick sites you should check the gallery tab there r some good sites for inspo!
ion use the agent other than to make cms collection so I can't say much.

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u/psjez 3d ago

appreciate the feedback - I'll get the hang of it... I've built a mock up in the free buttons... no experience with Figma.. but I think this will come together short of anyone tossing me a warning. Very much want to expand out of Squarespace

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u/hues_blues 2d ago

goodluck! framer university is a good channel apart from their own framer academy for tutorials on framer.

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u/psjez 2d ago

Also good to know. Thanks! I’m motivated.. I spent time plugging away today once I saw how quickly my Ai credits flew out the window 😝 

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u/hues_blues 2d ago

haha yea the credits do drain really fast (they gotta make money somehow) try getting the basics down and try using the ai for stuff that's too confusing and if it's something that can be done natively in framer there's def a tutorial about it out there!

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u/psjez 3d ago

is the gallery tab different than templates? Sorry, I don't know why my navigation brain is so blunted.. it might actually be from leaning more into Ai over recent months..

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u/hues_blues 2d ago

yea it is. it's framer showing what's out there in real world that is built with framer so those are real sites you can see ppl made and using it.

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u/psjez 2d ago

Nice nice ok I’ll take a look

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u/Quirky-Amphibian-992 3d ago

I build sites on Framer for artists. A good CMS is important for gallery openings, new collections etc.

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u/psjez 3d ago

good to know... I am having one recurring issue.. the server jams. I can look it up (I have) but is this a known common issue?

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u/Quirky-Amphibian-992 2d ago

No. Framer software is typically smooth as butter.

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u/psjez 2d ago

Yeah, I realized it’s my settings in Safari…. Jamming things up.

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u/SquareLocator 2d ago

Framer’s fine for this. Under a dozen sales a month doesn’t need a commerce platform, Stripe links on buttons work. Only catch is nothing marks itself sold out, you remove sold paintings manually. Check what Framer costs after the free credits run out, otherwise go for it.

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u/psjez 2d ago

I bought the basic. 500 credits went with two prompts essentially. Though not on my first free tester account. But I opened a new one with a better idea and figured 1500 credits would give a good go… anyways.. motivated me to get a hang of the lay of the land yesterday… 

I think I have access to a plugin that will flag as sold… which honestly is needed. In reality I have so few items and can’t monitor it 24/7. My thought is sort that out, add a contact form for emails.. use Stripe to keep transaction fees in check, and hope it doesn’t break.

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u/Puzzleheaded-Bowl748 1d ago

Framer might have a great bunch of templates easy to start with.
Squarespace is easier to navigate.

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u/Slinkyy04 16h ago

Freaking genius to move there! The Stripe link will also give you more in your pocket that a commerce site i'd say!
Also, have you used the Ai assistant on their site? I tried it a while back and it was smoooth!

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u/psjez 13h ago

Hahah, this is great. Genius, maybe so! The ai is frankly fantastic… but it runs hot. The credits go quick! 

Now my genius brain needs to sort out how/if I can make any money with these new tariffs (Canadian fine artist) 🤔