Why should templates be made easy to edit?

Framer templates are accessed and modified by a diverse range of users, so it's important that anyone can make changes without disrupting the structure. Easy editing reduces maintenance time while maintaining design consistency, and allows non-experts to use it effortlessly. As a result, collaboration becomes smoother, and client satisfaction can also be expected to increase.

Utilizing Component Variables

For repetitive elements (e.g., product cards, team member blocks), creating components with designated variables is beneficial.
For instance, if there's a team grid, by setting name/photo/description as variables in each team card, users can change content without altering the layout. Conversely, for consistent areas throughout the site like the Footer, a single master component without variables allows for efficient global updates.

Using Layout Templates

Common layouts like headers, footers, and overall page margins are managed in Layout Templates. This enables centralized global modifications without duplicate editing. This method is particularly useful for large sites with many pages, reducing editing mistakes and helping maintain consistent layouts.

Organizing CMS Field Structure

For CMS content (blogs, projects, products), ensuring fields have clear names and guidelines is advisable. Doing so saves time that would otherwise be spent guessing where items belong.

note: For important fields, consider adding simple descriptions or guidelines on recommended image sizes or character limits.

With conditional visibility settings, you can hide items when fields are not filled, maintaining a clean design even if certain fields are skipped.

Organizing Layers and Clear Naming

A systematic layer structure is essential for quick edits. Naming layers intuitively, such as "Hero Section" or "Footer Container," is much more comprehensible compared to generic names like "Frame 12." We recommend applying naming rules that are easy for anyone to understand, rather than using random numbers.

Maintaining a Responsive Layout

It's best to design responsively by using Stacks, fluid constraints to accommodate desktop, tablet, and mobile seamlessly. Typically, one breakpoint for tablets and one for mobile is sufficient; too many can confuse users. Constructing a flexible layout responsively decreases the risk of layout issues when content changes.

Minimizing Custom Code

Complex scripts or extensive code blocks can be daunting for non-technical users. If code is necessary, include simple comments on why it's there and how it can be modified to facilitate code optimization and maintenance.

Providing Simple Documentation (README)

Even if the template is intuitive, including simple usage documents or template notes enhances convenience significantly.
note: Guide editors on where to modify component variables or locate CMS fields to speed up adaptation.

This article is a translated and adapted content from Framer's official blog post, ‘How to make templates easier to edit?’