WordPress has long attained its reputation as the online world’s most sought-after content management system (CMS), and that proves to be true as it powers over 40% of websites worldwide. With its large community of contributing developers and agile core code maintenance, not only does it continue to evolve as a leading open-source platform, but it also attains a number of essential plug-ins, add-on components, connectors and WYSIWYG editors that offer diverse functionality and compatibility. Highly embraced in our own web design agency for its versatility in design and functionality, WordPress continues to be a game-changer for many designers and developers.
Although there are a multitude of frontend and backend editors out there, ranging from free options to premium, let’s examine the top editors such as WPBakery and Elementor, as well as WordPress’s most recent default editor, Gutenberg.
Gutenberg: The Building Blocks for Webpages
It wasn’t until 2018 when WordPress 5.0 was released and revamped their Classic page building with Gutenberg as their default editor, which had previously been available as a plug-in. Synonymously known as the block editor, the Gutenberg transformation allowed users to build intuitive and media rich pages with individual blocks as its layout structure and full-site editing—no coding experience necessary.
A significant change that transcended the classic WordPress editor was Gutenberg’s flexibility with multi-media content without the need for custom coding. That heavy lifting was put to ease by allowing users to simply add blocks to different areas of a page for content and visual design elements.
Gutenberg also expanded upon its features which in turn, meant fewer plug-ins would be necessary to create layout structures as it attains coding, embeds, columns, images, media, text, short codes for specialized assets, and so much more within its feature availability.
With blocking as a tool for page building, complex website interfaces can be achieved with modern and efficient outcomes.
Elementor
Elementor, known as the “drag-and-drop” page builder for WordPress is a renowned plugin that utilizes a visual editor for dynamic, multi-media websites. A notable trait with this plug-in is that it is only a front-end editor and does not contain a back-end feature so you can edit and compose your webpage in a live preview mode. However, that does not entail that the designs and features will be limited. Elementor allows developers and designers with access to widget libraries and full theme building for complex layouts and designs with downloadable templates.
Much like Gutenberg, Elementor does not require the need for CSS knowledge when developing your pages, rather it is comprehensible with its drag-and-drop feature so anyone can build tailored and inventive webpages.
Along with the ability to create webpages with custom theme building, Elementor is highly suitable with e-commerce website developments such as WooCommerce compatibility as well offers a high variety of customizable business templates and pop-up builders to propel conversions through brand specific call-to-actions.
Continuously updated with new feature implementations and themes from their library, Elementor’s capabilities are regularly evolving.
WPBakery
Formerly known as Visual Composer, WPBakery is yet another highly utilized WordPress plug-in editor. Much like Elementor, WP Bakery is known for its drag-and-drop features, however a key difference is WPBakery does possess both a front and back-end level to customization. WPBakery is highly flexible regarding where it falls on the spectrum from beginner friendly to highly advanced.
To align with the diversity of brand identities, WPBakery’s skin builder ensures customization for every website that can be easily embedded on a frontend editor, however, those with much more advanced skills can utilize custom CSS on the backend for an even more detailed, refined look.
Highly compatible with Gutenberg editor, WPBakery allows for a seamless integration of over 200 content elements and more than 50 built-in content blocks. It further propels any webpage look with designed templates that are regularly kept up to date in their template library that can be reused for efficiency.
With the myriad of editors and plug-ins that further advance WordPress features, Elementor and WPBakery have opened even more possibilities for website development that can create memorable user experiences with simplicity.