Why Your Web App Might Need a WYSIWYG Editor
If you’re building a web application, like blog editors, CMS dashboards, or email tools, you’ve probably asked yourself: “Should users be able to format their text?”
At first, it seems easy, maybe just add bold and italics. But then someone asks about adding images, links, or tables. That’s when you start thinking about using a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor.
WYSIWYG editors like Froala and TinyMCE let users format content visually, without writing HTML or markdown. It’s like how you write in Google Docs or compose an email in Gmail; you just click buttons to format your text.
But when does your application actually need one? And when is it overkill?
This guide will help you figure out when a rich text editor is actually useful and when a simple text box is enough.
Key Takeaways
- Not every text box needs rich formatting; for short messages or comments, plain text is often enough.
- WYSIWYG editors come in different levels; some only let you use bold or italics, while others support images, tables, and more.
- The right choice depends on what your users are trying to create, so pick an editor that fits their needs.
- These editors are easier to set up than you might think; most can be added with just a few lines of code.
- Remember to test how they work on mobile, since rich editors can behave differently on phones and tablets.
Understanding the Different Types of Text Inputs
Before diving into implementation, let’s look at when different types of text inputs make sense:
1. Plain Text Input (No Editor Needed)
Best for:
- Search bars
- Usernames or short names
- Single-line comments
- Real-time chat messages
- Short posts like on Twitter
Example: A chat box in a customer support app where quick replies matter more than text formatting.
<!-- Simple textarea - no editor needed --><textarea placeholder="Type your message here..." maxlength="500"></textarea>Why it works: People just want to send short, fast messages. Adding extra formatting options would only slow them down.
2. Markdown or Basic Formatting
Best for:
- GitHub-style comments
- Developer tools
- Technical documentation
- Forum posts for tech users
Example: A project management app where team members write task updates using simple formatting like bold or italic.
Many developers prefer Markdown because it’s quick and you can format text without using a mouse. But for non-technical users, it can be confusing since they have to remember special symbols.
Tip: If you’re new to Markdown, you can check out this guide for the basic syntax of Markdown.
3. Basic WYSIWYG Editor
Best for:
- Blog comments with some formatting
- Email-style messages
- Product descriptions with basic formatting
- Team announcements
Example: An internal knowledge base where employees write short guides or updates.
A basic WYSIWYG editor lets users format text visually, like making words bold, italic, or adding links, without typing special symbols. It’s simple and user-friendly.
Here’s an example using Froala Editor:
<!DOCTYPE html><html><head> <link href="<https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/froala-editor@latest/css/froala_editor.pkgd.min.css>" rel="stylesheet"></head><body> <textarea id="basic-editor"></textarea> <script src="<https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/froala-editor@latest/js/froala_editor.pkgd.min.js>"></script> <script> // Initialise a basic WYSIWYG editor new FroalaEditor('#basic-editor', { toolbarButtons: ['bold', 'italic', 'underline', 'insertLink'], placeholderText: 'Start typing...' }); </script></body></html>
Why it works: Users can easily highlight key points and add links without learning special syntax.
4. Full-Featured Document Editor
Best for:
- Content management systems
- Article writing platforms
- Documentation tools
- Educational platforms
- Legal document creation
Example: A company wiki where teams create comprehensive guides with images, tables, and videos.
A full-featured WYSIWYG editor gives users everything they need to create rich, professional documents, similar to tools like Google Docs. It supports advanced formatting, file uploads, and media embedding.
Here’s a simple example:
<!DOCTYPE html><html><head> <link href="<https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/froala-editor@latest/css/froala_editor.pkgd.min.css>" rel="stylesheet"></head><body> <textarea id="full-editor"></textarea> <script src="<https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/froala-editor@latest/js/froala_editor.pkgd.min.js>"></script> <script> // Initialise a full-featured editor new FroalaEditor('#full-editor', { toolbarButtons: { 'moreText': { 'buttons': ['bold', 'italic', 'underline', 'strikeThrough', 'subscript', 'superscript'] }, 'moreParagraph': { 'buttons': ['alignLeft', 'alignCenter', 'alignRight', 'formatOL', 'formatUL'] }, 'moreRich': { 'buttons': ['insertLink', 'insertImage', 'insertTable', 'insertVideo'] } }, imageUploadURL: '/upload-image', // Your image upload endpoint heightMin: 300 }); </script> </body></html>
Why it works: Users are creating detailed, long-form content that will be reused or referenced often. Having options to add images, tables, and rich formatting helps keep their work well-structured and easy to read.
Real-World Examples
Now, let’s look at a few real-world examples to understand when to use different types of text inputs:
Example 1: E-commerce Product Reviews
You might think: “Customers should be able to format their reviews with bold text and add photos.”
In reality:
- Most reviews are short, just one to three sentences.
- Rich text editors can be annoying to use on mobile.
- Photos are helpful, but can be added separately.
What to do: Use a simple textarea for reviews and add a separate “Add Photo” button. If you notice users using symbols like bold or ALL CAPS, you can later add a very basic editor with bold and italic.
Example 2: Project Management Task Descriptions
You might think: “Keep it simple, just plain text for task descriptions.”
In reality:
- Team members often need to share links to designs or documents.
- Lists make tasks easier to read.
- Developers might include small code snippets.
What to do: Add a basic WYSIWYG editor with bold, italic, lists, links, and code blocks. It makes tasks clearer without adding too much complexity.
// Simple toolbar for project management new FroalaEditor('#task-description', { toolbarButtons: [ 'bold', 'italic', 'formatOL', 'formatUL', // numbered and bullet lists 'insertLink', 'code' // for code snippets ], placeholderText: 'Describe the task...', charCounterCount: false // no need to count characters });Example 3: Online Course Platform
You might think: “Instructors need a full document editor like Word.”
In reality:
- Lessons usually include images, videos, and formatted text.
- Instructors update and reuse content over time.
- Students learn better when lessons look clean and well-structured.
What to do: Use a full-featured WYSIWYG editor. It takes a bit of setup, but the payoff is high. Instructors can create better and more engaging lessons.
The “Do You Really Need This?” Checklist
Before adding a WYSIWYG editor, think about these questions:
1. How long will the content matter?
- Will people come back to read or update it later? If yes, an editor makes sense.
- If it’s something quick and temporary, like chat messages, a plain text box is enough.
2. Who are your users?
- If your users have different skill levels, a visual editor is usually easier to use than markdown.
- But if they’re mostly developers, markdown or plain text can work just fine.
3. How complex is the content?
- If users need to organise information with lists, headings, or links, a rich editor helps a lot.
- If they’re just sharing quick updates or thoughts, simple text will do.
4. How will users create content?
- If people will often write on mobile, be careful, rich editors can be tricky on smaller screens.
- If most users are on desktop, it’s easier to support a full-featured editor.
5. Is collaboration important?
- If multiple people will edit or review the same content, formatting can make things clearer.
- But if everyone’s just writing their own short posts or comments, a basic text field is enough.
Best Practices
Here are a few simple tips to help you set up and manage a WYSIWYG editor effectively:
- Don’t add every toolbar button on day one. Start with basic formatting like bold, italic, and links. Once you see how users interact with it, you can gradually add more options such as images or lists.
// Start simple const basicConfig = { toolbarButtons: ['bold', 'italic', 'insertLink'] }; // Add more features later if needed const expandedConfig = { toolbarButtons: ['bold', 'italic', 'insertLink', 'insertImage', 'formatOL'] };- Let users know what kind of files they can upload and the maximum size allowed. This prevents confusion and upload errors.
new FroalaEditor('#editor', { imageMaxSize: 5 * 1024 * 1024, // 5MB limit imageAllowedTypes: ['jpeg', 'jpg', 'png', 'gif'], events: { 'image.error': function (error) { alert('Image upload failed: ' + error.message); } } });- Before displaying user content, make sure it’s clean and safe, especially if it appears in emails or public pages. Always sanitise HTML to prevent unwanted code or styling issues.
- WYSIWYG editors don’t always behave the same everywhere. Try your setup on different browsers and devices to catch issues early, especially on:
- iOS Safari (often the trickiest)
- Android Chrome
- Desktop browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge
Common Pitfalls
Before adding a WYSIWYG editor, it’s good to know what usually goes wrong. These are some mistakes developers make and how you can avoid them.
- One of the biggest mistakes is overwhelming users with too many options. When you show a toolbar full of 50 buttons, most people won’t know where to start. They’ll probably only use bold, italics, and links anyway. It’s better to begin simple and group advanced options in dropdowns or show them only when needed. Editors like Froala handle this smartly by default, so you don’t have to overthink it.
- Another common mistake is ignoring mobile devices. An editor that looks beautiful on a desktop can turn frustrating on a phone. If your users are creating content on smaller screens, make sure the toolbar adapts, keep only essential buttons visible and test the editor on real devices.
- Security is another big one. If you store whatever HTML users submit, someone could sneak in malicious scripts. Always sanitise the content on the server before saving or rendering it. Tools like DOMPurify make this easy to implement and help you avoid a major security risk.
- Accessibility is also important. Screen reader users and people who navigate using keyboards should be able to use your editor just as easily. Many modern editors, including Froala, follow ARIA guidelines, but it’s still worth testing with screen readers yourself.
- Finally, think about performance. Full-featured editors add a lot of JavaScript, and that can slow your app down. If the editor isn’t visible right away, say it’s in a modal or hidden behind a button, lazy-load it instead of loading everything upfront. That way, users get a faster, smoother experience without unnecessary lag.
Conclusion
Adding a WYSIWYG editor isn’t something you should do just because other apps have it. The right choice really depends on what your users are creating, how often they’ll use it, and what devices they’re using.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Match the tool to the task: Someone writing a quick product review doesn’t need the same features as a writer creating a full article.
- Start simple: Begin with the basics and add more options later based on user feedback. It’s much easier to add new features over time than to remove them once users get used to them.
- Test on real devices: Especially on mobile, where rich text editing can be tricky.
- Think beyond editing: Plan for how the content will be displayed, searched, or stored over time.
For most apps that need more than just plain text, a WYSIWYG editor offers a good balance between functionality and ease of use. Modern editors like Froala make setup easy and let you customise everything when you need them.
In the end, it’s not about whether WYSIWYG editors are “good” or “bad.” It’s about choosing the right tool for your users. Watch how they use your current setup, see what they try to do with text formatting, and decide based on real behaviour, not on assumptions.
About the Author
Shefali Jangid is a web developer, technical writer, and content creator passionate about building intuitive developer tools and educational resources. She shares tutorials, code snippets, and practical tips on her blog, shefali.dev, helping developers create better web experiences with clean, efficient, and accessible code.
