Divhunt Review: The Most Flexible No-Code Website Builder?

Update: After using Divhunt for over a year on my personal site and one client site, there have been no problems at all. It works smoothly without any troubleshooting. Sure, it's still a bit of beta with some issues. But it is a very flexible and adaptable toolset.

As a designer passionate about no-code web tools, I've prepared a real gem for you in today's article. I've been involved in the no-code industry since 2014 when I first discovered the power of Webflow and no-code. Since then, I've tried out a large number of other builders across various platforms, from Wordpress to cloud solutions like Webflow and Framer.

In this newsletter, however, I would like to introduce you to a newly flourishing European innovation, Divhunt. If I were to describe Divhunt in one sentence: it's like Webflow + Framer hybrid, but much stronger.

Divhunt is also a cloud platform, meaning you build and host websites directly through Divhunt. But here's the kicker for all you Europeans: with Divhunt, you won't have to worry about GDPR regulations, as you can easily choose where your data will be stored - pretty neat, right?

I generally love the work that Webflow showcases, but for many clients, their pricing policy is beyond what I can convince potential clients of. That's why I was looking for options with better hosting and builder pricing policies. I stumbled upon a gem that I'm sharing with you - Divhunt.

Background of my discovery:

Recently, I've been a bit bothered by Webflow's more "enterprise" approach, at least that's how it felt to me. The previous 2-3 years seemed like standby mode with minimal activity on features from their side. With the introduction of their pricing, I also lost some clients for whom paying such amounts for a service was unacceptable. (Don't get me wrong - I understand the significant benefits, but the average small client with dozens of website visits and a standard web presentation just couldn't appreciate it). I wanted to keep my clients, so I went searching. One day I saw Divhunt's service, and once I tried it, I knew I was home. (Exactly the feelings I had when I discovered Webflow - and that was a long time ago! :-D)

Say "goodbye" to limits:

CMS limits? - No, thanks. Page limits? - No, thanks! Page views limits? - No, thanks. Paying extra for code management tools - No, thanks!

Basically, with Divhunt, you only pay for what you use, and most of the product's features are included in the service's free version. By these features, I mean things like Custom code, Multilingualism, advanced SEO options, and more.

Free for small projects:

As an agency or small business owner, this is simply a hassle-free option. As an agency, you can approach small business owners who need a small and uncomplicated website without the need for additional expenses. And on the other hand, if you want to build it yourself, you can.

So, what does Divhunt actually allow?

Simply put, it allows you to build advanced websites (like Webflow), but better and more straightforwardly. Especially without the need to use external tools for advanced functions.

What I appreciate as a designer on Divhunt is its clarity. Unlike other tools, you build websites directly on an open Canvas, so you can easily see the differences between subpages within the breakpoint (great for optimization).

Plus, you may or may not adhere to the class system here. Advanced developers and designers who simply want to "click" their website won't be disappointed here. Why not, really. With Divhunt, the path is maximally open to you! :-)

Feature list that must be mentioned:

• Style manager (manage and edit styles)
• Canvas mode (website editing on a free canvas, using web accessibility standards)
• Scalable and secure hosting (hosting that adapts to your website and situation - securely and quickly)
• CMS (robust CMS for content management)
• Color management (change the color and let the change propagate everywhere)
• Components (build web components and edit them smartly)
• Library (400+ sections soon)
• Marketplace (themes, apps, plugins, components, functions...)
• Layer panel (with the option to name elements as needed)
• Variables panel (manage content from one place)
• Code Files (have custom functions as part of the project)
• Backups (backup website and content as needed)
• Multilingualism (multilingualism based as a core feature - very clearly and simply edit content without additional costs)
• Live preview (for both static and dynamic pages, including components like custom functionality)
• Developer-friendly (code and customize anything)
• And many more.

Components as system blocks:

Your client will love you; build websites using components and nest them as needed. You'll get a great system that the client can edit based on properties and layout you set.

The client simply creates a new page, selects components, and inserts them onto the page. This puts you in the position of a builder, where the client remains not just a consumer of the result but primarily its developer.

Note: After using components in my own projects, it's better not to nest components inside each other, as there are some issues that occur from time to time. But nothing is painful for building.

Configure and manage website content using Variables:

Divhunt also comes with a new approach. It allows you to manage fields using variables through a clear editor. Imagine, for example, using the same items in many places on the website - such as social media URLs or email addresses. Would you like to be able to change it across the entire website in a few seconds? Now you can! And that's not all. You can also use Variables for simple management of Menu objects, etc. (In this case, imagine it like a widget in Wordpress) - there are simply a lot of use cases, and you'll definitely love them :-)

Workflows - Configure Advanced Behaviors!

When I first saw Workflows, I just said to myself, "WTF." My little designer brain simply couldn't grasp all the possibilities of workflows that you gain thanks to this feature. Unlimited possibilities for website development, and not just your marketing team will become unbeatable.

If I were to introduce Workflows to you in a nutshell, imagine it like Make or Zapier. But instead of integrating external tools, you get a robust system for setting up website behaviors and certain functions.

Here are some examples of how you can use workflows:

• Creating SSO (single-sign-on) is possible, so including google, twitch, discord, etc
• Adding/modifying headers to enhance security or whatever
• Adding additional layer of security, whitelist/blocklist IP addresses who can access website, etc
• Read/Write cookies, meaning that you can create membership for example with 3rd party tool
• Interact with CMS, get cms items, create update delete, so you can build whatever you imagine, cms acting as database
• Many and many more endless posibilities

Robust CMS system:

Divhunt relies on its own CMS system - and personally, this is the closest to me. I simply look for platforms that allow me to build and host websites directly with them. Then I ideally want to manage data using CMS.

At its current stage, Divhunt offers CMS fields such as: Text, Rich Text (note! Includes table and other cool stuff :-)), Media (images, videos, audio, documents), Image field, Multi-image field, Select (single, multiple), Switch, Date, and Relation (Single, multiple - for linking categories, etc.)

They're also working on repeaters!

Moreover, you can configure the CMS itself as you need. You can insert fields into sections and tabs and also choose how large the field itself should be. This will be especially appreciated when multiple people manage the website, or the client themselves - you'll arrange it so that everyone understands :-)

Note: Repeaters are already fully working! You can run a magic.

SEO configuration in your hands:

What's really great for my local clients is the speed of page indexing from the tool and, above all, the possibility of extensive SEO optimization. You can set up the complete behavior of robots.txt or sitemaps. Of course, classic things like adjusting Title, description, images, etc., are included.

APIs, Webhooks, Code Files - Developer's heaven!

Of course, Divhunt also thinks of those who simply want to build large and feature-rich websites. Build advanced features directly within Divhunt using Code Files (you can easily copy these functions across projects), connect external services directly to the API, and send them exactly where you need thanks to webhooks - basically, no limits. And I'm only serving you a very small portion of these possibilities because I'm not some mega-developer, but rather a designer - so sorry for that :-D.

Hosting - fast and secure

You build, they handle everything else. From hosting to overall optimization. Simply designer heaven. By that, I mean I don't have to worry about any updates, just the visual and content of the website. Everything else runs in the background in a secure environment. Website backup is an integral part, of course :-)

What's absolutely great about their hosting is the ability to choose the server location. That means zero issues with GDPR and other legislative matters. I think this feature will especially catch on with all European developers using platforms outside the European area :-)

Open marketplace (not just for templates)

For Divhunt, the ability to purchase website templates is an integral part, but it doesn't end there. The marketplace is also open for applications and plugins. Moreover - and this is extremely interesting - it offers the option to share only specific functions or components on the marketplace. (Example: You only need a job list section for your website, which already includes filters and CMS settings - you buy it, and everything is set up for you. Easy. Isn't that great? - Everyone gets what they need here.

Elements Library

The Divhunt team is also building a very robust layout library. This means you'll have a large number of elements and sections (low-fi wireframes) included in this builder. The sections themselves will only contain layout settings for the specific breakpoint, and it will be up to you how you assemble the website.

And believe me, it will be something! We already have over 500 sections prepared, and we're not stopping! And when I say "we" - yes, we do, I collaborate on this with the Divhunt team.

Divhunt as a heartfelt matter

As I wrote above, I haven't had such a "hype" state from a tool for a long time as I do now. The last time was when I first discovered Webflow and then when Figma came along. Simply put, Divhunt is a novelty, and I believe it will be a big draw not only for the European market but also for people in the industry.

I'm also immensely glad that Divhunt listens to its community on their forum, where I try to contribute and help in my own way to better understand this tool for those who are unfamiliar with it. But last but not least - and I don't even know how it happened until now, I'm glad I can be in such close communication with the entire core team and their CEO and help contribute content-wise and with my knowledge about no-code to the development of this tool.

In short...

Divhunt is still in development. It's led by a small but incredibly passionate team, and I believe they're already better than a large portion of their competition. With a little awareness about this tool, I believe it would leave a big and indelible mark. Personally, I redesigned my personal portfolio and transitioned the small clients. Gradually, however, I believe I'll convert a large portion of my existing or new clients.

The team itself has big goals ahead, and according to their recent update activities, they are getting closer and closer to them at a rapid pace. They're preparing to expand features like eCommerce, Memberships, and others. It's a tool worth using and being part of their growth from the beginning.