And The Best WordPress Page Builder Is…

If you’re looking for a way to make your WordPress website look better, load faster, and be easier to update in-house, a page builder may be the solution you’ve been searching for. These tools allow you to easily create custom pages without having to code, which can save you considerable time and money.

In this article, we will discuss the benefits of using a page builder and share our top picks for the best ones available. So, whether you are a beginner or an experienced user, keep reading to find out more!

What is a WordPress page builder and why do you need one?

WordPress is a popular content management system that enables users to create and manage websites without needing to know any coding. WordPress is used by millions of people around the world, from small businesses to large organisations. One of the reasons WordPress is so popular is that it offers a wide variety of plugins and themes to choose from. WordPress also has a number of page builder plugins available, which can be used to create custom pages or posts without having to write any code.

So, what is a WordPress page builder? A WordPress page builder is a plugin that enables you to create custom pages or posts without having to write any code. WordPress page builders are a great way to create landing pages, sales pages, or any other type of custom page without requiring.

However, it’s important to note that a WordPress page builder plugin is a little different to standard plugins. For instance, they are usually built into the theme/template of the website rather than an add-on to an existing website. Meaning, that you need to choose a page builder at the infancy stage of having a new website designed rather than as an afterthought.

WordPress page builders today, are also more than page builders – may offer full site editing, meaning the header, footer and core pages of the site are also created within the builder, including setting the logo and creating the navigation menu. Hence the need to choose the right builder before your new website development begins. Most web design companies on the Gold Coast, including Ignition Media, will either let you choose your preferred WordPress page builder or select the best option to meet your goals on your behalf.

The best WordPress page builders

One of the benefits of WordPress is that it offers a wide variety of page builders, which makes creating a custom website quick and easy. However, with so many WordPress page builders to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one is right for your needs.

There are many WordPress page builders available, ranging from simple drag-and-drop editors to complex tools that enable users to create highly customised pages. To help you make a decision, we’re going to look at the top 5 WordPress page builders available today.

Each of these WordPress page builders has its own unique features and benefits, so be sure to read through each one carefully before making your final decision. Whichever WordPress page builder you choose, you can be sure that it will make creating custom pages quick and easy!

1. WordPress Block Editor / Gutenberg

WordPress comes with a built-in page builder called the WordPress Block Editor, or Gutenberg. Gutenberg is relatively new in the page builder arena, only having been released in December 2018. Despite this, it has quickly become a popular choice among WordPress users. It has made leaps and bounds in the last 6-months especially, becoming a major player.

Gutenberg is a block-based editor, which means that pages are created by adding content blocks. These content blocks can be anything from paragraphs of text to images and videos. Gutenberg gives WordPress users complete control over their website layout and design. WordPress users can use Gutenberg to create custom pages and posts, without having to learn HTML or CSS. Gutenberg is a great page builder for WordPress beginners and experts alike.

One of the benefits of Gutenberg is that it is extremely user-friendly and easy to use, even for beginners.

Another benefit of Gutenberg is that it is a completely free page builder. This makes it an ideal choice for those on a tight budget or those who are just starting out with WordPress.

However, if you ask me, the biggest benefit of using WordPress Block Editor, or Gutenberg, is that it is built into the WordPress core, meaning it isn’t actually a plugin at all. And why is this such an advantage you ask? Because it means you don’t have to install another plugin. The more plugins a site has, the slower the site will load, and this is a MASSIVE benefit of Google’s new Core Web Vitals which measures page speed as one of the main score factors.

Having said that, WordPress also offers a wide variety of plugins and themes that can be used with Gutenberg to further customise your website.

Kadence Pro is one that I rely on to add advanced blocks to WordPress Block Editor / Gutenberg. Kadence Blocks Pro is extremely lightweight, still MUCH lighter than other page builder plugins, and offers all the functionality you could need from a WordPress website. For example, I created The Moreton Group and Patrick Ear’s website with WordPress Block Editor / Gutenberg + Kadence Blocks Pro.

If you’re looking for a simple WordPress page builder that is easy to use, then Gutenberg is a great choice. However, if you’re looking for something more advanced, with wiz-bang animations that will slow your site done, then you may want to consider one of the other WordPress page builders on this list.

2. Elementor

Elementor is a popular WordPress page builder plugin that enables users to create custom pages and posts with drag and drop. It was released in 2016 and has quickly become one of the most popular WordPress plugins, with over 2 million active installs.

Elementor offers a wide range of features, including a wide variety of content widgets, pre-designed templates, and the ability to customise your website’s header and footer (full-site editing). Elementor also offers a wide range of integrations, including WooCommerce, Google Analytics, and Yoast SEO.

One of the benefits of using Elementor is that it is extremely user-friendly and easy to use. Even beginners can create custom pages with ease. Another benefit of using Elementor is that it is a widely popular plugin, which means that there is a large community of users and developers who can offer support and assistance.

Elementor also has a wide range of Pro plugin add-ons to add advanced features and functionality such as animations, forms, and sliders. As such, some big brands use Elementor, such as Microsoft News, TED Blog, PlayStation, and Skype, to name a few.

Elementor sounds great, right? However, it has its drawbacks. One is, that the free version is very limited so the premium plugin, Elementor Pro is often required for a professional finish. This means that you will have to pay for a yearly licence in order to use it on your website. You’ll also have to pay for the plugins that do the wiz-bang animations and other advanced functionality.

The other significant drawback is its weight, meaning it will slow down a site. It is notorious for poor performance and is shunned by Page Speed Optimisation specialists. If you’re looking to score high in Google’s Core Web Vitals, then WordPress Block Editor / Gutenberg should be your choice.

While I don’t have vast experience with Elementor Pro, I will use it when clients ask for a website that is easy to manage in-house because of its intuitive editing functionality. I find it to be the best all-around option in this respect and used it on Paradise Point Family Medical Centre websites for this reason.

3. Divi Page Builder

Divi Page Builder is another widely popular WordPress page builder plugin created by Elegant Themes. It enables users to create custom pages and posts with drag and drop. I have used Divi Page Builder myself and, in my opinion, it used to be great, but it has fallen behind Elementor in recent years.

Divi Page Builder was released in December 2013 and has since become one of the most popular WordPress plugins, with over 2 million active installs. It offers a wide range of features, including drag and drop builder, 40+ pre-designed layouts, inline text editing, custom CSS support, live preview, revisions, and more. Some big brands also rely on Divi Page Builder, including Sony, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and more.

However, as mentioned, Divi Page Builder hasn’t seen the same sort of growth and improvement as some of the other page builders in the market. It has some drawbacks, including a high learning curve, lack of third-party integrations, and a limited number of widgets.

4. WPBakery Page Builder

WPBakery Page Builder is a WordPress page builder plugin that enables you to create custom pages and posts with drag and drop. With WPBakery Page Builder, you can add rows, columns, and elements to your pages and posts, and then customise them with your own colours, fonts, and content.

WPBakery Page Builder is a great choice for those who want to create custom pages and posts without having to learn to code. The plugin is easy to use and unlike those mentioned above, it can be added to a site at any stage, even established websites.

WPBakery Page Builder comes with a lot of features including a drag and drop interface, customisable elements, easily adding rows, columns, and elements, and changing colours, fonts, and content with ease. As such, it is used by major brands including Forbs and Tech Radar.

However, while WPBakery Page Builder is easy to use, its ease of use also presents limitations for site-wide management. Unlike the likes of Elementor Pro and WordPress Block Editor / Gutenberg, it does not offer full-site editing and site-wide blocks and templates are not very intuitive to manage.

My two cents – if you’re looking for a page builder that offers simple page building functionality within a pre-built website, then WPBakery Page Builder is a good choice. Otherwise, opt for WordPress Block Editor / Gutenberg or Elementor for more advanced management.

5. Beaver Builder

Beaver Builder is another popular WordPress page builder plugin that enables users to create custom pages and posts with drag and drop. However, I have to admit, it is the only page builder on the list that I have not used myself.

Beaver Builder was released in 2014 and has since become one of the most popular WordPress plugins, with over 1 million active installs. It offers a wide range of features, including a wide variety of content widgets, pre-designed templates, and the ability to customise your website’s header and footer (full-site editing).

Beaver Builder also offers a wide range of integrations, including WooCommerce, Google Analytics, Yoast SEO, and Gravity Forms.

One of the benefits of using Beaver Builder is that it is extremely user-friendly and easy to use. Even beginners can create custom pages with ease. Another benefit of using Beaver Builder is that it has a wide range of Pro plugin add-ons to add advanced features and functionality to a Beaver Builder site such as animations, forms, sliders, and popups.

Beaver Builder sounds great, right? However, it too has its drawbacks. One of the drawbacks of Beaver Builder is that it does not offer a free version. The cheapest plan starts at $99 per year (or $399 for a lifetime license). Another drawback of Beaver Builder is that it does not have as many integrations as some of the other WordPress page builder plugins on this list.

How to choose the right WordPress page builder for your website

There are many WordPress page builders available, and choosing the right one can be tricky. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a WordPress page builder:

1. Ease of use: WordPress page builders vary in terms of how easy they are to use. Some page builders are very user-friendly and can be used by anyone, even those with no coding experience. Other page builders are more complex and may require some coding knowledge.
2. Features: WordPress page builders also vary in terms of the features they offer. Some page builders come with a wide range of features, such as pre-designed templates and the ability to customise your website’s header and footer. Other page builders are more basic and only offer the ability to create pages and posts with drag and drop.
3. Integrations: Another factor to consider is the integrations offered by the WordPress page builder. Some page builders come with a wide range of integrations, such as WooCommerce, Google Analytics, and Yoast SEO. Other page builders have fewer integrations.
4. Pricing: WordPress page builders also vary in terms of pricing. Some page builders are free, while others charge a monthly or yearly fee. It is important to consider your budget when choosing a WordPress page builder.

Conclusion

If you’re in the market for a WordPress page builder plugin, any of the plugins we’ve mentioned here would be a great choice. But if you want my opinion (and you know you do), I think that WordPress Block Editor / Gutenberg and Elementor are the best WordPress page builders on the market right now. They offer tons of features and options, they’re easy to use, and they have active user communities that are always creating new templates and add-ons.

So if you’re looking for a powerful, versatile page builder plugin that will let you create custom pages and posts without any coding skills required, either of these options should fit the bill nicely. However, it all comes down to using the right page builder for your needs and budget.

If you are looking for a simple page builder with basic features, then a free page builder may be a good option. However, if you are looking for a more advanced page builder with a wide range of features and integrations, then a paid page builder may be a better option.

Whichever WordPress page builder you choose, make sure it meets your needs and budget.

If you’re looking to update your WordPress website with a page builder, convert an Elementor site to a WordPress Block Editor / Gutenberg site or create a new WordPress site from scratch, look no further! Contact Ignition Media today to discuss your needs and get a free no-obligation quote.