A drag and drop user interface is a visual way to build websites (or digital content in general) by selecting elements – like text boxes, images, or buttons – and moving them around the screen using your mouse or touch input. No complicated menus or coding needed. Just grab an element, drop it where you need it, and you're ready to roll.

This intuitive method makes web design seem less like a technical challenge and more like arranging building blocks. It's particularly useful for those who are not tech wizards or small business owners who want to take control of their online presence without having to learn programming languages such as HTML or CSS.

Elements of drag and drop interfaces 

Behind the scenes, drag and drop UIs depend on code to turn your movements into neatly organized page layouts. Here's what powers the experience.

• Draggable elements.

These are your movable content blocks – think of images, paragraphs, headings, contact forms, and more. You click and hold these to move them around.

• Drop zones.

These are the designated spots on your page where you can place those blocks. Website builders often visually highlight these areas, so you know exactly where your element will land.

• Real-time previews.

As you drag and drop, you see exactly how your changes will look on the live page. 

• Grid or column layout systems.

These underlying structures help keep your design organized and ensure that elements snap neatly into place, maintaining a consistent look across different screen sizes.

Benefits of using a drag and drop UI in website building

• No coding needed.

You can build a fully functional website without writing a single line of code. This opens up website creation to a much wider audience.

• Faster launch time.

Visually laying out pages and seeing instant previews means you can get your website up and running much quicker. Fewer steps, faster results.

• Beginner-friendly.

If you're a business owner, freelancer, or part of a team without dedicated developers, this approach is incredibly user-friendly.

• Creative flexibility.

You have the power to rearrange sections, experiment with different layouts, and update your visuals whenever inspiration strikes, all with minimal effort.

• Consistent design.

Many drag and drop interfaces come with built-in alignment tools and grid systems, helping you maintain a professional and consistent look throughout your site.

Examples of drag and drop website builders

You'll find drag and drop interfaces in many popular website building platforms:

• B12. This platform combines the ease of drag and drop with the intelligence of AI to streamline website creation while ensuring good design principles are followed.
• Wix. Offers full creative control with free placement of elements.
• Squarespace. Combines drag and drop editing with professionally designed templates.
• Webflow. A more advanced visual editor that supports drag and drop along with custom code for pros.

FAQs about drag and drop user interfaces

What’s the difference between drag and drop and WYSIWYG?

Think of WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) as the overall philosophy of editing where you see the final result as you work. Drag and drop is a specific way of interacting within a WYSIWYG editor, allowing you to move elements visually. So, most drag and drop interfaces are also WYSIWYG, but not every WYSIWYG editor offers drag and drop functionality.

Are drag and drop websites responsive?

Generally, yes. Most modern drag and drop website builders automatically incorporate responsive design features. This means your website will adapt its layout and sizing to look great on different screen sizes, from large desktop monitors to small mobile phones. Some platforms even let you fine-tune the layout for specific devices within the editor.

Can I customize drag and drop sites with code?

In many cases, yes. Some platforms provide options to add custom code if you need more advanced features or specific integrations. However, for the majority of users, the built-in drag and drop tools are usually powerful enough to create impressive websites without needing to touch code.

Is a drag and drop interface good for business websites?

Absolutely. If you want to have direct control over your website's content and design without needing to hire a developer for every update, a drag and drop interface is an excellent solution. It empowers you to build and maintain your online presence efficiently, which is particularly valuable for teams that need to be agile and make quick changes.

Build your site with drag and drop simplicity

Skip the coding and design roadblocks. With B12’s AI-powered builder and drag and drop editing, you’ll have a professional-looking website live in no time – no tech skills required. Get started today!