Enhancing Web Development: A Retro Look at a Visual Website Builder Project

As developers, we often experiment with new ideas and tools to improve our workflows, only to later realize some concepts may not stand the test of time. This week, I’m sharing a personal project from years past—a visual interface designed to simplify website creation. Although it’s been dormant for a while, I’ve decided to demonstrate the tool one last time and reflect on its journey.

The Origins of the Project

Several years ago, when I was beginning my career in web development, I envisioned a user-friendly visual interface that would enable non-technical users to craft websites easily. The premise was to abstract away the complexities of coding, allowing users to lay out pages graphically with text, images, and other elements.

Over the years, I dedicated varying amounts of time to developing this concept. The project saw periods of active development and moments of hiatus, largely because I’ve come to believe that such abstractions might not always align with best practices. From my perspective now, building website layouts directly with code tends to be more efficient and flexible than relying on additional layers.

Current Status and Demonstration

Although I’ve moved on from this project, the application still functions. You can create simple page layouts using text and images through the interface I developed. To mark the culmination of this journey, I’ve recorded a demo video showcasing the tool’s features and capabilities. While I must admit that the audio quality isn’t studio-level—due to equipment limitations—the video provides a clear overview of how the application works.

You can watch the demo on YouTube here:
Demoing a Visual Interface for Creating Websites

Try It Out Yourself

Interested in experimenting with this tool? You can access the live version hosted on Vercel:
Visit the Web Application

This environment allows you to try layout creation firsthand, whether for educational purposes, personal projects, or just curiosity.

Explore the Source Code

For those interested in the technical underpinnings or who wish to customize the application, the source code is available on GitLab. Be cautious—this is a personal project, and the code reflects a learning experience rather than production-ready software.

Access the repository here:
GitLab Repository

Final Thoughts

Reflecting