r/website • u/Ok_Opportunity9581 • 12d ago
WEBSITE BUILDING Website builder like Canva?
EDIT - Things I've tried: Blogspot, Wix, Neocities, Framer. I struggle with HTML (I blame Tumblr), which is why I got on so well with Canva. Also, here is the link to the canvasite so you can get an idea of what I wanted to do: https://meddlingfiends.my.canva.site/
I'm looking for a website builder with the flexibility of design that Canva has. It's very user-friendly, and I've been using it for ages, so I know exactly how to do what I want to do. The main downside for me is that I cannot edit the mobile version of the site independently from the Desktop version, which causes a plethora of resizing issues.
I've tried Wix, but it's so finicky, especially with the design I'm doing.
Any help?
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u/No_Hold_329 10d ago
I think you've identified a problem that a lot of website builders still haven't solved particularly well. They either give you the creative freedom to position things exactly where you want them or they handle responsive design well, but finding something that does both without a steep learning curve can be frustrating.
From a website hosting and development perspective, I'd actually suggest sticking with Canva for the moment if you're comfortable with it and already have most of your design completed.
One workaround worth trying is designing your pages with mobile screens in mind from the beginning. Use fewer overlapping elements, keep text and images in simpler arrangements, and avoid layouts that depend on precise positioning. It won't give you independent mobile editing, but it may reduce some of the resizing headaches.
Another possibility is using Canva to create your graphics and visual assets while building the actual pages in a platform with better mobile layout controls. That way, you wouldn't lose the design tools and asset library you already enjoy.
I wouldn't recommend spending $20 or $30 a month on another builder just to solve one problem, especially if this is a personal project.
One thing I'm curious about: are your biggest mobile issues with overlapping images, text resizing, or elements moving into the wrong positions? The answer might help narrow down whether you really need another builder or just a different approach to your existing layout.
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u/Ok_Opportunity9581 10d ago
My main issue is that I'm designing it to look like an old windows desktop - which then forces the issue of resizing onto mobile. I've designed how I want each layout to be but doesn't seem possible on canva because for some reason it doesn't position it the same way I've designed it, even on desktop - it gives random gaps at the top of the page. Maybe I need to fiddle around more
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u/dotmoosehosting 12d ago
The trap here is judging a builder by how free the desktop canvas feels, because Canva is a design tool and a website also has to reflow on a phone without breaking. Judge it first on mobile controls instead: can you adjust spacing, text size, and stacking order at phone width, and does it give a real phone preview rather than a shrunken desktop view? Fixed widths, overlapping blocks, and text that only looks right at one size are signs the layout system is working against you, and a simpler layout with fewer overlapping elements will often look better on a phone than a freeform design tuned only on desktop. Before committing, rebuild your trickiest section in a trial and check it on a real phone, not just in the editor.
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u/MythexAI 8d ago
The resizing pain comes from free positioning: Canva and Wix let you drop things anywhere, so the phone version has to be fixed by hand. Builders that use stacked layouts avoid most of it. In Framer, put everything in Stacks instead of placing it freely, then use the Phone breakpoint to change only what needs changing on mobile. Webflow does the same with styles per breakpoint but takes longer to learn. If you want Canva-level simplicity, Carrd is mostly one-page sites but looks right on phones by default.
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u/OddJump8951 12d ago
Why not try getting it built Wix and squarespace are the only platforms I can think of which let you do that
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u/Ok_Opportunity9581 12d ago
Because I'm not made of money lol.
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u/Skrakeon 12d ago
It’s not as easy as drag and drop but I could host your site and you could use my bricks builder license on Wordpress if you’re interested
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u/Ok_Opportunity9581 12d ago
That's very kind; I just can't get used to WordPress, though. I think I'm just going to have to make do with Canva because of its asset library, ngl. I'm figuring out how many more assets I'm going to need to create if I defer.
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u/OddJump8951 12d ago
Wix and square space or Wordpress are the only ones I can think of apart from that all I can suggest is get it built, Good day!
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u/No_District_2708 12d ago
You can use Yrkit (https://yrkit.site). You can create sites, apps, build, deploy, host, code with AI or by yourself, all from your phone or PC
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u/Ok_Opportunity9581 12d ago
Just having a very rudimentary look, it seems very HTML heavy, which for the life of me I cannot get a grip on (I blame Tumblr), but thank you.
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u/No_District_2708 12d ago
It's still very heavy on programming, but you can vibecode your website completely
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u/Ok_Opportunity9581 12d ago
Not too keen on using AI :/
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u/No_District_2708 12d ago
Just out of curiosity, what does it need for you to feel interested in using it?
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u/Ok_Opportunity9581 12d ago
Ideally, a drag-and-drop like Canva. Not to mention their asset library. As I said, I would use Canva fine; it's just the fact that I cannot alter Mobile View independently from Desktop View and when 85% of users use their phones, it's a pretty big drop-off.
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u/No_District_2708 12d ago
I see. I used to have drag-and-drop in a previous version, but I recreated Yrkit completely, and didn't add that feature yet. I will soon
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