WPBakery Page Builder (formerly known as Visual Composer) is one of the most popular WordPress page builders, offering users a highly intuitive, drag-and-drop interface for designing web pages without writing any code. Designed for both beginners and experienced developers, WPBakery has become a go-to solution for anyone looking to build dynamic, custom layouts within WordPress.
Key Features of WPBakery Page Builder
1. Drag-and-Drop Interface
WPBakery’s drag-and-drop editor makes creating and customizing page layouts incredibly easy. Users can simply drag elements (called content blocks) into place, rearrange them, and make adjustments in real-time. This intuitive process removes the need for complex coding, making it accessible to non-developers while still providing powerful tools for more advanced users.
2. Frontend and Backend Editors
One of the standout features of WPBakery is the ability to work with both a frontend and backend editor.
- The frontend editor allows you to see changes in real-time as you design, giving a live preview of your site.
- The backend editor offers a more traditional approach, allowing for structured layout editing in WordPress’s admin dashboard.
This dual editing option provides flexibility depending on how users prefer to work.
3. Pre-Built Templates
WPBakery comes with a wide array of pre-designed templates and layout options. These can be easily imported and customized, making it quick to launch a new site or page. Whether you're building a portfolio, e-commerce store, blog, or corporate website, these templates provide a great starting point.
4. Content Elements
WPBakery offers a rich selection of content elements that can be added to any page. These elements range from basic items like text blocks, images, and buttons to more advanced modules such as pricing tables, sliders, and contact forms. The content elements can be customized in detail, ensuring that every design element fits your site’s aesthetic and functional needs.
5. Responsive Design Controls
In today’s mobile-first world, having a responsive website is crucial. WPBakery allows users to control the appearance of their content on different devices, with options to adjust layouts for desktops, tablets, and mobile screens. Users can hide or show specific elements based on screen size, providing full control over the site’s mobile experience.
6. Third-Party Plugin Integration
WPBakery is highly compatible with other WordPress plugins. It seamlessly integrates with popular plugins like WooCommerce (for building e-commerce stores), Yoast SEO, Contact Form 7, Slider Revolution, and more. This compatibility ensures that users can extend the functionality of their websites without conflicts.
7. Custom CSS and Shortcodes
For users who are comfortable with coding, WPBakery also offers the flexibility to add custom CSS to individual elements or entire pages. Additionally, it supports shortcodes, making it easy to include various functionalities within your content without directly altering the code.
8. Role Manager
For developers or teams working on a website with multiple users, WPBakery offers a role manager feature. This allows you to control access to WPBakery features based on user roles. For example, you can restrict certain users from making design changes or limit access to specific parts of the builder.
9. Multilingual and Translation Ready
WPBakery Page Builder is WPML compatible, meaning it supports multilingual websites. It’s also fully translation-ready, allowing users to create websites in any language.
10. Custom Post Types
WPBakery supports custom post types, enabling you to create unique content layouts for blog posts, portfolios, products, and more. This is especially useful for users with complex websites that go beyond standard pages and posts.
Pros of WPBakery Page Builder
- Ease of Use: The drag-and-drop interface is simple enough for beginners to grasp while offering advanced customization options for developers.
- Flexibility: The ability to switch between frontend and backend editing gives users different ways to design and edit their sites.
- Wide Range of Templates and Elements: Pre-designed templates and a vast library of elements make it easier to build pages quickly.
- Responsive Design Control: Detailed control over how content appears on different devices ensures a mobile-friendly experience.
- Extensive Plugin Compatibility: WPBakery integrates smoothly with numerous third-party WordPress plugins, providing flexibility for additional features.
Cons of WPBakery Page Builder
- Performance: Over time, especially on larger sites, WPBakery can slow down the WordPress dashboard due to the number of shortcodes and elements it uses. This can sometimes result in slower page load times.
- Learning Curve for Complex Designs: While it's easy to start with WPBakery, creating highly customized or complex designs can still require some technical know-how.
- Shortcode Dependency: When deactivating WPBakery, your pages may be left with shortcodes scattered throughout the content. This can be problematic if you switch page builders or themes in the future.
WPBakery vs. Other Page Builders
WPBakery competes with other popular page builders like Elementor, Divi, and Beaver Builder. Compared to these alternatives, WPBakery tends to have a more traditional approach and relies heavily on shortcodes. While Elementor and Divi have gained popularity due to their focus on performance and ease of use, WPBakery remains a strong contender for users looking for a highly flexible and well-established tool.
Final Thoughts
WPBakery Page Builder is an excellent choice for WordPress users who want full control over the layout and design of their site without diving into coding. Its drag-and-drop functionality, vast library of content elements, and responsive design controls make it a versatile tool for creating any type of website.
While it may not be as lightweight as some newer page builders, WPBakery remains a robust and reliable option, especially for users already comfortable with WordPress's structure.
