Hello,
I found that setting up applications in the experience builder is quite cumbersome compared to the web application builder.
In the web application builder we can build a "typical" county web map by just 1) selecting a theme 2) select a map 3) add widgets... I like how ESRI configures widget placement, and how we can change the theme in a click of a button.
The experience builder is much more cumbersome. Setting up widgets is difficult because we must first select our map that we want to configure which is annoying when 95% of our apps only have one map. Second, we need to place the widget yourself. Third, we have tiny menus on the side that we need to navigate through to set up widget settings which may offer TO many options!
And prepare to start all over if we want to change our theme from the Billboard to Box theme. The experience builder theme is more color related than widget related.
Please consider the following:
- Experiance builder should default to the only map in the application or page.
- Have ESRI place widgets based on our theme... Then we can manually adjust them if desired. I don't think I will ever need to adjust their theme position.
- Make it easier to configure widgets. The current settings are too complex and hard to configure with the tiny side menu.
- Allow us to change the theme and not have to rebuild the entire application.
Summary:
The Experience Builder has the potential to create amazing applications. However, current workflow is cumbersome and very frustrating.
The Web Application Builder is perfect for many county GIS websites. We click on a theme, click on the widgets we want. And configure the widgets in a very presentable format.
Instant Apps are great staging a small focused web applicaiton. Unfortunately, they do not offer enough tools for county based applications.
Please consider making the experience builder easier to work with, continue to support the web application builder, or better yet both!
