Why We Ditched Figma for Raw HTML/CSS (And You Should Too)
A behind-the-scenes look at our template development process and why code-first wins.
For the first year, we designed every template in Figma before converting to code. It felt safe — we could iterate on visuals without touching code. But the handoff between design and development introduced friction. What looked perfect in Figma often broke in real browsers. Padding values shifted, fonts rendered differently, and responsive behavior was never quite right.
We now design directly in HTML and CSS. No mockups, no prototypes. We use browser DevTools to tweak spacing, test breakpoints, and check performance in real time. The result: templates that look exactly like they do in the demo, every time.
This approach also forces us to think about performance from the start. Every color, every font, every animation has a cost. By designing in code, we naturally avoid unnecessary bloat. Our average template loads in 1.3 seconds.
Other template shops still rely on design tools and then hand off to developers. That's fine for agencies with big teams. But for indie founders who just want a fast, reliable page, a code-first process delivers a better product faster.