When it comes to building a WordPress website, the first step is to choose the right website builder for your needs. There are several top options to consider, such as Elementor, Beaver Builder, Divi and Brizy. Each platform has its own unique features, strengths, and weaknesses, so it’s important to carefully evaluate your requirements.
So what is a WordPress Website Builder?
Simply put, a WordPress website builder is a tool or plugin that allows users to create, design, and customize websites without needing to write a single line of code. These builders typically provide a visual, drag-and-drop interface, making it easier for users to design web pages by simply moving elements around the screen.
Some key factors to consider when selecting a WordPress website builder include ease of use, the range of customization options, pricing, and the availability of templates and pre-built designs. You’ll also want to think about how well the builder integrates with other WordPress plugins and tools you might want to use or your work environment.
Work environment, you said? Yes. Believe it or not, some WordPress website builders even cater to those who prefer a cloud based setup. These builders are normally preferred when site owners require:
- Bundled Services: Since hosting, security, and maintenance are bundled into one service, it can be more cost-effective than paying for these services separately.
- Scalability: The hosting provided is often scalable, allowing the website to handle varying levels of traffic without significant performance issues.
- Hassle-Free Hosting: Cloud-based solutions typically include hosting, meaning users don’t need to worry about finding a separate hosting provider, setting up servers, or dealing with server maintenance.
- Automatic Updates: The platform takes care of WordPress core, theme, and plugin updates automatically, ensuring the website remains secure and up-to-date.
- Regular Backups: Many cloud-based builders include automated backups, ensuring that your data is safe and can be restored in case of an issue.
To help you understand a little better, we would have gone ahead and created a spotlight of 3 WordPress builders trying our best to pull what we consider highlight features.
Let’s consider three popular WordPress website builders: Divi, Elementor, and Brizy.
Divi WordPress Builder
Overview:
- Divi is a premium WordPress theme and page builder plugin developed by Elegant Themes. It is known for its versatility and extensive design capabilities.
Key Features:
- Visual Builder: Offers a real-time design experience with a true WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor.
- Pre-Made Layouts: Comes with a vast library of pre-designed layouts that can be customized.
- Responsive Editing: Allows users to design websites that look great on any device, with responsive editing tools.
- Advanced Design Options: Provides a wide range of design settings, including custom CSS control for advanced users.
- Global Elements and Styles: Users can manage and update elements and styles across the entire website from a single place.
Elementor WordPress Builder
Overview:
- Elementor is a popular WordPress page builder plugin that offers a free version with basic features and a Pro version with advanced capabilities. It is widely used due to its ease of use and powerful design options.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-Drop Editor: Intuitive interface that allows users to design pages by dragging and dropping elements.
- Templates and Blocks: Provides a library of templates and pre-designed blocks that can be inserted into pages.
- Responsive Design: Built-in tools to ensure that websites are mobile-friendly.
- Extensive Widget Library: Offers a wide range of widgets, including forms, sliders, and pricing tables.
- Theme Builder: Allows users to design the entire website, including headers, footers, and archive pages, using a visual interface.
- Integration and Add-Ons: Integrates with many popular third-party tools and offers various add-ons to extend functionality.
Brizy WordPress Builder
Overview:
- Brizy is a newer WordPress page builder that focuses on simplicity and ease of use, with both free and Pro versions available. It is known for its user-friendly interface and modern design options.
Key Features:
- Easy-to-Use Interface: Drag-and-drop builder with a clean and intuitive interface, ideal for beginners.
- Pre-Made Blocks and Layouts: Includes a library of pre-designed blocks and full-page layouts that can be customized.
- Responsive Controls: Tools to ensure that designs look great on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.
- Global Styling: Allows users to apply consistent styles across the entire website.
- Cloud-Based Version: Brizy also offers a cloud-based version, providing hosting and a more integrated experience.
- Collaboration Features: Enables team collaboration with real-time editing and comments.
Once you’ve settled on a website builder, the next step is to customize it to match your brand’s visual identity and design preferences. This might involve tweaking the colour scheme, typography, and layout to create a cohesive and visually appealing website.
Crafting a Visually Appealing and Mobile-Friendly WordPress Website
With your website builder in place, it’s time to focus on designing a visually stunning WordPress website. This involves following best practices for layout, typography, and imagery to create an engaging user experience.
Responsive design and mobile optimization are also crucial considerations. Since a growing number of users are accessing websites on their smartphones and tablets, it’s essential to ensure your WordPress site looks and functions seamlessly across all devices.
There are a variety of tools and plugins available to help enhance the visual appeal and user experience of your WordPress site, such as page builders, image optimization tools, and mobile-friendly themes.
Optimizing Your WordPress Website for Search Engine Visibility
Once you’ve got the visual elements of your WordPress website dialled in, it’s time to focus on optimizing it for search engine visibility. This involves implementing a range of on-page SEO techniques, such as conducting keyword research, crafting effective meta tags, and optimizing your images and other media.
Additionally, you’ll want to prioritize improving your site’s speed and performance, as these factors play a significant role in how search engines rank your content. Utilizing WordPress plugins and tools designed to boost your SEO efforts can be a game-changer in this regard.
Creating Engaging and Informative Content for Your New Website
With the technical foundations of your WordPress website in place, it’s time to focus on creating engaging and informative content that will resonate with your target audience. This means developing a content strategy that aligns with their needs and interests, and then putting that strategy into action.
Best practices for writing compelling, SEO-friendly blog posts and web pages include using a conversational tone, breaking up content into easily digestible sections, and incorporating multimedia elements like videos and infographics. These techniques can help enhance user engagement and keep visitors coming back to your WordPress site.
Maintaining and Securing Your WP Website
Finally, it’s crucial to maintain and secure your WordPress website to ensure it continues to function at its best. This includes regularly updating your WordPress software, themes, and plugins to address any security vulnerabilities or bugs that may arise.
Implementing robust security measures, such as two-factor authentication and strong password policies, can also help protect your website from cyber threats. And having a reliable backup and disaster recovery plan in place can give you peace of mind and help you quickly recover from any data loss or system failures.
By following these steps, you can create a powerful, SEO-optimized WordPress website that not only looks great but also delivers an exceptional user experience and helps you achieve your online goals.