Builder.io

Brief Overview of Builder.io

Builder.io is an AI-powered visual development platform designed to help teams accelerate the creation and optimization of web and mobile experiences. The core problem it solves is the traditionally slow and siloed process of turning design concepts into live, production-ready code, reducing the dependency on engineering teams for content updates and iterations. This visual development platform allows both developers and non-technical team members to leverage existing technology investments, such as design systems and code components, to ship digital products more efficiently. The platform is composed of two main products: Fusion for code generation and Publish for API-driven content delivery. By integrating directly with tools like Figma and connecting to existing code repositories, Builder.io provides a more cohesive and rapid development workflow for building everything from landing pages to complex e-commerce storefronts.

Builder.io Key Features for Content Creators

• AI-Powered Code Generation (Fusion): This feature allows users to build applications and user interfaces from scratch by providing prompts. It can also generate code directly from Figma designs or by connecting to an existing code repository, using the team's design and code context to produce relevant results.

• Direct Figma Integration: Builder.io offers a deep integration with Figma via a dedicated plugin. Teams can copy any Figma design, paste it into the platform, and convert it into developer-friendly code. The integration also supports updating existing components in Builder.io with design changes made in Figma.

• Visual Editor: A drag-and-drop interface enables users to visually modify any generated experience. This includes arranging pre-built components, fine-tuning the styling of any element with precision control, and making real-time iterations without writing code.

• Existing Codebase Connectivity: The platform can connect to any code repository. This allows teams to leverage their existing design systems, components, and APIs, ensuring that any code generated by Builder.io matches the team's established coding standards.

• Headless CMS (Publish): The Publish product functions as a headless content management system. It allows teams to create, optimize, and publish on-brand content and experiences via API to any website or application, providing flexibility for various digital channels.

• Built-in A/B Testing: Marketers and optimization managers can use the platform's native A/B testing functionality. This feature facilitates running experiments on homepages and high-traffic landing pages to test different layouts, calls-to-action, and other elements to improve conversion rates.

• Content Scheduling: The platform includes a scheduling system that enables teams to pre-plan and automate the release of content updates. This is particularly useful for managing time-sensitive campaigns and promotional events, such as running multiple homepage variations during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

• Enterprise-Grade Security and Workflows: Builder.io is built for teams operating at scale, offering features like roles and permissions to control access, rules and workflows to manage shipping processes, and SOC 2 Type II compliance. The platform also ensures data privacy by not using customer data for model training.

Builder.io Target Users & Use Cases

Builder.io is designed for cross-functional teams that include both technical and non-technical members. It bridges the gap between marketing, design, and engineering departments, enabling more collaborative and efficient workflows.

• Primary creator types: The platform is ideal for marketing teams, website optimization managers, e-commerce teams, web designers, and front-end developers. Case studies show that other departments, such as legal and recruiting teams, also use it for self-serve content updates.

• Experience level: It caters to a wide range of skill levels. Non-technical users can build and ship pages in under 30 minutes using the visual editor and pre-built components, while developers can integrate their existing codebases and design systems for advanced customization.

• Team size: The platform is scalable, supporting fast-growing companies and large enterprises with features like roles, permissions, and enterprise-grade security.

• Specific use cases:

  • Rapidly launching new marketing pages and landing pages.
  • Converting Figma designs directly into production-ready code.
  • Empowering marketing teams to run A/B tests on high-traffic pages.
  • Managing content for headless e-commerce storefronts on platforms like Shopify Hydrogen.
  • Centralizing web experiences across multiple brands and international regions.
  • Scheduling and managing multiple homepage variations for peak sales periods.
  • Allowing non-technical teams to make content updates independently.
  • Keeping website components in sync with an organization's central design system.

• Content types: The platform supports the creation of web and mobile experiences, including full websites, landing pages, e-commerce product pages, and interactive prototypes.

How to Get Started with Builder.io

For teams looking to convert designs into code, the process starts with connecting Figma to the platform.

1. Install the Builder Figma Plugin: The first step is to add the official Builder.io plugin to your Figma environment.
2. Export from Figma: In Figma, select the design you wish to convert. Use the Builder Figma Plugin's Smart Export function to copy the design data to your clipboard.
3. Generate in Builder Projects: Navigate to Builder Projects and provide the AI with instructions in the prompt. Paste the copied design from your clipboard directly into the prompt.
4. Review and Edit: The AI will generate the project based on your Figma design and instructions. You can then use the visual editor to make further modifications or connect it to your codebase.

Frequently Asked Questions About Builder.io

• What is Builder.io? Builder.io is an AI-powered Visual Development Platform that enables teams, including both developers and non-developers, to build, iterate, and publish web and mobile experiences more quickly.

• Does Builder.io integrate with Figma? Yes, it features a robust integration with Figma through a dedicated plugin. This allows users to copy designs from Figma and paste them into Builder.io to generate code, as well as export designs from Builder.io back into Figma.

• Can non-technical teams use Builder.io? Yes, the platform is designed to empower non-technical users. Marketers, legal teams, and recruiters have successfully used its user-friendly visual editor to build and ship pages without needing to write code.

• Is Builder.io suitable for e-commerce? Yes, it is well-suited for e-commerce. The Turtle Beach case study highlights its successful integration with Shopify Plus and Shopify Hydrogen to manage content for a headless storefront, leading to increased revenue and faster site speeds.

• Does Builder.io have A/B testing capabilities? Yes, the platform includes a built-in A/B testing tool. This allows marketing and optimization teams to run experiments on pages to test different layouts and calls-to-action to improve conversion rates.

• Is Builder.io secure for enterprise use? Yes, the platform is designed with enterprise-grade security standards. It is SOC 2 Type II compliant and offers features like roles and permissions, custom workflows, and a commitment to not training its AI models on customer data.

Bottom Line: Should Content Creators Choose Builder.io?

Builder.io is a strong choice for organizations looking to significantly reduce the time it takes to go from idea to production for web and mobile experiences. It is particularly valuable for cross-functional teams where marketers, designers, and developers need to collaborate efficiently. The platform's main advantage is its ability to connect directly to a company's existing tech stack—including Figma, code repositories, and design systems—while empowering non-technical users with a powerful visual editor.

For e-commerce companies operating on headless architectures or marketing teams at fast-scaling software companies, the ability to rapidly build, test, and schedule content provides a clear path to higher conversion rates and increased agility. By enabling self-serve workflows and automating the conversion of design to code, Builder.io frees up valuable engineering resources to focus on more complex problems. It stands out as a comprehensive solution for teams that need to ship high-quality, on-brand digital experiences at scale.