What is Figma? (A Simple Guide for Business Owners)

If you're starting a new website project in 2025, your web designer will almost certainly send you a "Figma link." But what is Figma? Why is everyone using it instead of Photoshop? And what are you supposed to do with it?

As a web designer in the Philippines, Figma is the most important tool I use every single day. Here’s a simple guide for business owners to understand what it is and how it makes your project better.

1. What is Figma?

Figma is an all-in-one, cloud-based design tool. Think of it like "Google Docs for design." It allows designers to create everything from the initial low-fidelity wireframes to the final, pixel-perfect website mockups, all within a single app that runs in your web browser.

2. Why Did Figma Replace Tools Like Photoshop?

For years, designers used Photoshop or Illustrator. The problem? Those tools were built for static images (like photos or print posters), not interactive websites. Sending a massive, 100MB `.psd` file back and forth over email was a nightmare. Figma solved this in three key ways:

• It's Cloud-Based: There are no files to send. I just send you a link. You can open it on any computer, in any browser, and you are always looking at the latest version. This is a huge deal for remote collaboration.
• It's Built for Collaboration: Just like Google Docs, you and I can be in the same file at the same time. You can leave feedback comments directly on the design, and I get notified instantly.
• It's for UI/UX Design: It has built-in features for creating interactive prototypes. This means I can send you a link that feels like a real, clickable website before any code is written.

3. How Will You (The Client) Use Figma?

You don't need to learn how to design! Your role with Figma is simple and powerful:

• 1. View the Designs: You'll open the link and see the designs exactly as the designer intended, in high fidelity.
• 2. Leave Feedback: You can click anywhere on the design to drop a comment. You can select a button and write, "Can we make this blue?" or "Change this text to..." This keeps all feedback organized in one place, ending confusing email chains.
• 3. Test the Prototype: Your designer will send you a "prototype" link. You can click on the menu, navigate between pages, and get a real feel for the website's flow and user experience.

4. How Your Developer Uses Figma

This is the other piece of magic. Once you approve the design, I (as the web developer) use that same Figma file as my blueprint. Figma has a "Dev Mode" or "Inspect" tab that lets me:

• Click on any element to get its exact size, color hex code, and spacing.
• See the font size, weight, and line height.
• Export any icons or images directly from the design.

This "designer-to-developer handoff" is seamless. It ensures the final, coded website is a pixel-perfect match of the approved design, saving dozens of hours and reducing errors. It's also the perfect tool for building and maintaining your design system.

So, when your designer sends you a Figma link, be excited! It's a sign you're working with a professional who is using the best, most efficient tools to collaborate and build your project.