A website builder for WordPress can be an excellent option for beginners and non-coders who want to create a website quickly and easily. However, they have some limitations, such as they can slow down your website and limit your option to fully customize the website as per your need.
If you’re planning to create a website on WordPress, you may be debating between a website builder and custom coding. I’ll explain the pros and cons of using a website builder for WordPress to help you decide if it’s the right choice.
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Key Takeaways
- Beginner-Friendly: Ideal for those without coding skills, offering a simple drag-and-drop interface.
- Pre-built Templates: Provides various templates to jumpstart website creation, saving time and effort.
- Versatility: Offers numerous features and customization options to suit different types of websites.
- Potential Downsides: May slow down your site and limit deep customization.
- WordPress Block Editor: An excellent, lightweight alternative to third-party builders.
What are Website Builders?
A WordPress website builder is a plugin that lets you create and customize a site without coding. It’s a drag-and-drop tool that simplifies designing and launching a website.
Website page builders simplify the process of creating a website for anyone, regardless of technical skills. They offer pre-made templates, assorted modules for adding content and features, and strong customization options.
You can quickly and easily create professional-looking pages without months of learning to code. They’re perfect for small business owners, bloggers, and anyone wanting a website without the time or resources for custom coding.
Types of Website Builders for WordPress
I’ve identified two main types of WordPress page builders:
Theme-based website builders, integrated into WordPress themes, let users customize everything with a drag-and-drop interface. Examples include Divi and Thrive.
Plugin-based website builders are plugins you can install on a WordPress site. Use them to customize your site’s pages. Examples include Elementor, Beaver Builder, WPBakery, and Visual Composer.
Both theme- and plugin-based website builders have their own pros and cons.
Theme-based page builders let you customize the entire theme and offer more features. Plugin-based page builders, however, are simpler and easier to use.
- Theme-based builders: drag-and-drop
- Plugin-based builders: customizable plugins
- Advantages and disadvantages of both
WordPress Website Builder Pros
WordPress website builders offer several benefits. Key advantages include:
Quick and Easy Way to Build Website: Most website builders are user-friendly with a drag-and-drop interface, making it simple to create a professional website without coding experience. You can have your site up and running in just a few hours, which is far quicker than custom coding.
Pre-built templates: These builders offer templates and designs you can use to kickstart your website. This makes site creation much simpler, even without design experience.
Additional features: Website builders often provide many functionalities like contact forms, social media integration, and e-commerce options. This allows adding advanced features to a website without coding.
Versatility: Website builders provide many customization options. Create any type of site, from a personal blog to a complex e-commerce store.
Cost-effective: Many website builders are budget-friendly, often free or low-cost, making them a more affordable choice compared to hiring a developer or buying a paid theme.
- User-friendly drag-and-drop interface
- Pre-built templates for easy start
- Wide range of additional features
WordPress Website Builder Cons
There are some potential downsides to using a WordPress website builder. These include:
May Slow Down the Site: The website builder you choose might negatively impact your site’s speed. This happens because the builder’s code is often poorly optimized, leading to a sluggish website.
Limited customization: Website builders provide many features but often restrict customization options. This can be frustrating for those wanting more control over their site’s design and functionality.
Compatibility issues: Website builders may clash with certain themes or plugins, causing problems. Switching from one builder to another can also be difficult due to compatibility constraints.
Frequent Update: Website builders need regular updates to stay compatible with the latest WordPress version. This process can be time-consuming and inconvenient, as you have to manually update the builder and its related themes or plugins.
Additional cost: Website builders are usually affordable, but extra features might increase the overall expense of creating a website.
- May Slow Down the Site
- Limited Customization
- Compatibility Issues
So, Do You Really Need Website Builders for WordPress?
Website builders are great for beginners and those without coding skills who want to create a website. They offer an easy drag-and-drop interface, letting anyone build a site without needing to code.
Website builders may be unnecessary for simple blog sites. These are content-focused, so a basic WordPress theme and a few plugins usually suffice.
However, for more intricate customization and design control, website builders may not suffice due to their limited options. In such instances, hiring a professional developer is a better choice.
Deciding if you need a website builder depends on your specific needs and goals. There’s no universal solution, so evaluate your requirements before making a choice.
- Ideal for beginners and non-coders
- Not needed for simple blogs
- Limited customization options
WordPress Block Editor: The Perfect Alternative of 3rd Party WP Website Builders
Recently, more people in the WordPress community have started using the free WordPress block editor (Gutenberg) instead of expensive third-party page builders like Elementor.
The editor is now more feature-rich and powerful than when it first launched in WordPress 5.0. New blocks and layout options offer features similar to popular third-party page builders, yet it remains lightweight and fast.
Another reason for this trend is that many website builders add bloat, slowing down page load times and hurting SEO. By using the default builder, site owners can streamline their websites and ensure efficient performance.
Third-party page builders are still useful, but the WordPress block editor has gained popularity for those wanting a lightweight and fast website without losing design or functionality. The block editor is an excellent choice to get your website up and running quickly without needing a premium builder.