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I've been seeing a lot of designers moving from Framer to Astro, posting their new Lighthouse scores, and calling Framer the problem.
I think we're missing a bigger conversation here.
Astro is fast. No argument there. It ships static HTML with very little JavaScript by default, and having full control over your code is a real advantage.
But how many designers actually understand what's making their websites slow?
Do you know what LCP, INP, and CLS measure?
Are you checking image sizes and formats? Video compression? Font loading? Third-party scripts? The JavaScript behind your interactive components?
What about those scroll animations, huge blur effects, and background videos running on mobile?
Framer has made something incredible possible: designers can now build, host, and publish complete websites without depending on a developer.
But that freedom doesn't mean web fundamentals suddenly stop mattering.
And I'm not saying Framer is perfect. Its runtime has overhead, and Astro gives developers a level of control that Framer simply doesn't.
I'm a web engineer who builds with Framer, and I think both tools have their place.
What I find strange is seeing people treat a higher Lighthouse score after a complete rebuild as proof that the previous platform was the entire problem.
Sometimes it's the tool. Sometimes it's how you built the website. Often it's both.
Before switching stacks, understand what you're actually trying to fix.
Agree, Jalal. Most Lighthouse drops I see on Framer sites come from oversized images, heavy embeds and too many font weights rather than the platform itself.
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I built this site with AI. Try to spot where. 🔥
Ardor is a concept marketing agency in Amsterdam, built on Wix Headless. Astro draws every page. Wix runs everything behind it: the Work and Journal content live in Wix CMS collections, every brief lands in a Wix collection, and Wix hosts the site.
AI is a fast builder and a poor art director. It helped me build this. The direction was mine.
Ardor is a concept, so the clients and numbers are demo content. The build is real.
What’s your quickest tell that a site was AI-generated? 👇
Dropped our next premium framer template for AI automation agencies, workflow consultancies & the people selling agents to businesses that still run on copy and paste.
Check it out
good work!!
Aware Studio is live 🖤
I just launched my new Framer template, built for design studios, agencies and independent creatives who want their site to look as good as the work they make.
Dark, calm and editorial, with small moments people remember. A preloader that cuts through your work, pricing that opens like curtains, and social links you can throw around the footer.
The best part? You don’t have to touch the canvas to make it yours. Every word, image, logo and project lives in the CMS, and there’s a step-by-step guide next to every page showing exactly where to click. Even if you’ve never used Framer before.
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Would love to hear what you think!
