What Are WordPress Page Builders?
Page builders are tools that allow you to design and build your website without the need for coding. They provide a visual interface where you can drag and drop elements to create your desired layout.
These elements can include text boxes, images, buttons, forms, and more. WordPress Page builders are designed to make the process of creating a website more accessible to those without technical knowledge.
WordPress page builders are specifically designed to work with the WordPress content management system. They allow you to create custom layouts for your WordPress posts and pages.
The Evolution of Page Builders
Page builders have come a long way since their inception. Initially, they were simple tools that allowed you to arrange elements in a grid layout. However, they have evolved into powerful design tools that offer a wide range of customisation options.
Modern page builders allow you to control every aspect of your design, from the layout and spacing to the colors and typography. The evolution of page builders has been driven by the increasing demand for easy-to-use website design tools.
As more people seek to create their own websites, the need for tools that simplify the design process has grown. This has led to the development of more advanced and user-friendly page builders.
Why Use Drag and Drop Page Builders in WordPress?
Drag and drop page builders simplify the process of creating a website. They allow you to design your website visually, rather than coding it from scratch. This makes them an excellent option for beginners who may not have technical knowledge.
Drag and drop page builders offer a high level of customisation. They allow you to create unique layouts and designs that reflect your brand. This can help you stand out from your competitors and attract more visitors to your website.
Best WordPress Page Builders
Page builders like Elementor, WPBakery, and Beaver Builder have been popular tools in the WordPress ecosystem. They provide a drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to create complex layouts and designs with ease.
- Elementor: Known for its flexibility and ease of use.
- WPBakery: Offers a wide range of elements and templates.
- Beaver Builder: Focuses on being lightweight and fast.
Some popular WordPress page builders include Site Origin, Elementor, Beaver Builder, Bricks Builder and Divi. These drag and drop page builder tools provide a wide range of customisation options, allowing you to create unique and professional websites.
WordPress Gutenberg Page Builder
Gutenberg, WordPress’s own block editor, was introduced to provide a more integrated and efficient way to create content. It’s built into WordPress, offering a seamless experience for content creation without the need for additional plugins.
Why Page Builders Were Necessary
In the past, page builders filled a significant gap in WordPress. They offered non-technical users the ability to design their sites without writing a single line of code. This democratised web design, making it accessible to a broader audience.
“Gutenberg represents a future where WordPress can keep up with the web’s evolution, making page builders less relevant”
WordPress.org
The Shift To WordPress Gutenberg Blocks and Full Site Editing
However, Gutenberg challenges the necessity of page builders by offering many of the same functionalities natively within WordPress. It’s designed to be lightweight and fast, addressing one of the main concerns with page builders: performance impact.
Performance Considerations
One of the critical drawbacks of page builders is their impact on website performance. They can introduce additional bloat and slow down your site, which is detrimental to user experience and SEO.
Gutenberg, being part of WordPress itself, is optimised for performance. It keeps the site lean and fast, ensuring a better experience for both users and search engines. Many experts in the WordPress community advocate for moving towards Gutenberg and away from page builders.
Page Builders Vs WordPress Gutenberg
WordPress Gutenberg is a block-based editor that was introduced in WordPress 5.0. It allows you to create custom layouts using blocks, which are similar to the elements in a page builder. However, Gutenberg does not offer the same level of customization as most page builders.
While Gutenberg is a significant improvement over the classic WordPress editor, it still lacks some of the advanced features offered by page builders. For example, most page builders allow you to control the spacing and alignment of your elements, while Gutenberg does not. Therefore, if you want more control over your design, a page builder may be a better option.
Should You Use Page Builders in WordPress?
Page builders make it easy to create professional-looking websites without coding, typically through a drag and drop interface. They offer a high level of customisation, allowing you to create unique designs that reflect your brand. Most page builders are responsive, meaning they automatically adjust your design to fit different screen sizes.
Page builders can be slow and resource-intensive, which can negatively impact your website’s load time and overall performance. They add a lot of extra code to your pages, which is the root cause of slower page load times. If you decide to switch to a different page builder or stop using one altogether, it can be difficult to preserve your designs unless you create custom Gutenberg blocks.
The Impact of Using Page Builders
Using a page builder can have a significant impact on your website. It can make it easier for you to create and maintain your website, saving you time and effort. It can also help you create a more attractive and engaging website, which can attract more visitors and increase your conversion rates.
However, using a page builder can also have some negative impacts. It can slow down your website and makes it harder to switch to a different design tool in the future. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider these impacts before deciding to use a page builder.
Expert Opinions
Many experts believe that page builders are a valuable tool for website design.
“Page builders are a fantastic tool for those who want to create a custom website but don’t have the development skills to do so. They offer a level of flexibility and control that was previously only available to skilled developers.”
Chris Lema, WordPress Consultant
Some experts (including myself) caution against relying too heavily on page builders.
“While page builders can be a great tool for quick and easy website design, they should not be used as a crutch. It’s important to understand the basics of web design and development, even if you’re using a page builder.”
Pippin Williamson, WordPress developer
Future Page Builder Predictions
The future of page builders looks promising. As the demand for easy-to-use website design tools continues to grow, we can expect to see further advancements in page builder technology. We may see more intuitive interfaces, more customisation options, and better performance.
However, as page builders become more advanced, it’s also possible that they could become more complex and difficult to use. It’s important for page builder developers to balance functionality with usability. The future of page builders will likely involve a continued focus on making website design accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical skills.