Reginald Chan

Tag: wordpress builders

  • WordPress Page Builders: The ONE Comparison No One Ever Talks About

    WordPress Page Builders: The ONE Comparison No One Ever Talks About

    WordPress Page Builders are created for one reason and that is to help website developers, bloggers and WordPress owners to quickly build pages on WordPress quickly and efficiently. However, there’s one thing that many page builders software that don’t talk about—how to decide which WordPress page builder to use?

    “Hear me out for a second. I love WordPress Page Builders and I had purchased nearly all of them and I had learned something major in it. Carry on reading this article (takes you less than 5 minutes) to learn more.

    Reginald Chan

    Do you know that no two page builders are created equally? For starters, WordPress Page Builders are usually known as WordPress website builders—they allow you to create WordPress website layouts without a single line of code (no coding skills required).

    Here’s where everything get a little fuzzy especially for beginners. We tend to use WordPress Page Builders to build blog posts as well!

    If this is the case, this is what you need to know (really, summary style).

    List of WordPress Page Buildes (summary)

    Fastest WordPress Page Builder

    Thrive Themes is the best and highly voted page builder for WordPress. Easy to use and highly affordable, this page builder is excellent for those who wants to build high-converting pages in just a few clicks.

    Cheapest WordPress Page Builder

    Divi Theme is the clear winner here with pricing structure. It offers yearly and lifetime licenses. In a long run, you save more money with Divi than any other WordPress page builders in the market.

    Best WordPress Page Builder for Beginners

    Elementor is one of the most popular WordPress website builder that allows you to build anything and everything under the sun. This is one of those website builder plugin that offers a limited and free builder plugin.

    Best WordPress Page Builder for Advanced Users

    Oxygen Builder is one of the best WordPress Page Builders that I had personally used. If you are looking for a completely bloat-free WordPress frontend editor, this is the best that you can ever get when it comes to bloat-free WordPress Page Builder. While Oxygen is a powerful builder tool, knowing HTML and CSS are essential to build beautiful website designs with Oxygen.

    Best WordPress Page Builder for Agencies

    As a freelance WordPress developer in Malaysia, Beaver Builder is one of my favorite WordPress page builder tool when it comes to building a WordPress site. It loads super fast and doesn’t come with huge bloatware like many of its competitors.

    WordPress Page Builders to build Pages

    If you are looking to build pages and WordPress homepages, the best option would be Divi. Divi comes with thousands of pre-made templates and that you can easily import to your WordPress site. Plus, there are many different layouts that you can use with Divi.

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    At this point of writing, Divi offers the most pre-made templates available for download compared to any other WordPress page builders.

    WordPress Page Builders to build Posts

    If you are looking to build posts and landing pages, the best option would be Thrive Themes. Thrive Architect comes apart of Thrive Themes plugins and this is by far my favorite WordPress post builder. More importantly, Thrive Architect comes with over 250 pre-made templates and you can easily use it to build beautifully crafted blog posts that convert!

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    Apart from that, don’t forget that Thrive Architect is the ONLY WordPress builder that doesn’t lock your content (making it gilberish) upon uninstalling it.

    List of WordPress Page Builders (with features that matters)

    Thrive Themes

    Thrive Themes is one of the most popular WordPress website builders in the world. This is a suite that contains 9 different plugins and the popular Thrive Themes Builder. This WordPress website builder allows you to create EVERYTHING from pages to crafting custom blog post layout. When it comes to WYSIWYG frontend editor, Thrive Themes excels far better than any other of its competitors.

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    Thrive Themes comes with over 276 ready-made templates and the full suite comes with website theme and essential plugins to make your blog stand out from the crowd.

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    Thrive Themes is also fairly affordable with either 1-time payment for plugins or monthly subscription for the full suite. For the best value-for-money option, subscribing to Thrive Members ($19 per month) is one of the best options for website owners.

    Divi Theme Builder

    Divi Theme Builder is a full suite just like Thrive Themes. It allows you to build everything without the need of a single line of code. Divi is easy to use but this software will add significant bloat to your WordPress site, affecting the loading speed in some way.

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    Apart from that, there is no website builder tools that provide new and free website layouts on a weekly basis … except for Divi. All of these website templates can easily be imported directly to WordPress and you use them almost instantly.

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    Divi comes in two pricing—yearly plan ($89) or lifetime ($249). All plans come with unlimited usages and therefore, it is one of the best value-for-money option for WordPress owner.

    Elementor

    Elementor is the only page builder plugin that offers free account. It is one of the most popular WordPress website builder that allows you to build anything and everything under the sun. Elementor is a fun WordPress page builder tool that allowed me to build many sites from scratch, quickly and effectively.

    While the free version offers some level of customization, the paid version (Elementor Pro) unlocks the full potential of Elementor as a page or post builder.

    Beaver Builder

    On the surface, the Beaver Builder tool looks very promising with a higher price tag. The true power of Beaver Builder comes in the page builder features. Beaver Builder offers powerful WordPress design solution, along with multiple keyboard shortcuts that make website development way faster.

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    Also, Beaver Builder comes with a nice truckload of ready-made templates (which is awesome) and I love their pricing structure. Beaver Builder pricing starts at $99 (with 50% on renewals) and all plans come with unlimited website usage. Website development agencies and freelancers will be able to make the most out of this due to the unlimited usages (so no extra cost per website).

    Oxygen Builder

    Honestly, Oxygen Builder may not be one of the best option for you if you have limited knowledge in HTML and CSS. However, Oxygen Builder is one of the most powerful ones in the market if you know exactly what you are doing. It makes website development really easy with the different and clean elements. 

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    Apart from that, Oxygen Builder is extremely bloat-free which makes it an excellent choice especially for those who are serious about website loading speed.

  • Top 5 Best WordPress Builders Plugin 2020 [Comparison]

    Top 5 Best WordPress Builders Plugin 2020 [Comparison]

    Best WordPress Theme Builders 2020 Based On Ranking

    ​The Best WordPress Theme Builders Software Comparison 2020 By Ranking

    Are you looking for the best WordPress theme builder comparison? In this article, we will go through ​only the best WordPress theme builders in 2020—and sort them by ranking.

    ​Sounds good?

    ​Let’s get started.

    1. ​Oxygen Builder

    First in the list of the best WordPress builder 2020 is no other than Oxygen Builder. Oxygen Builder is the cleanest and leanest WordPress builder plugin that I had ever used.

    Oxygen Builder Review 2020

    But, it may not be suitable for everyone.

    Read the details below to learn more.

    ​Not sure if Oxygen Builder is the right one for you? Check this out.

    Key Features Rating
    ​Overall drag and drop feature ​Drag and drop is very intuitive. Powerful at the very least.
    ​Loading speed

    ​Beats every WordPress builders without any cache plugin
    ​Bloat free

    ​Super clean and lean
    ​Gutenberg integration

    ​Fully support Gutenberg blocks

    By far, Oxygen is the best theme builder for WordPress developers and bloggers who have some level of coding skills (ouch). While it is still beginner friendly, it takes a little time to really master and discover what Oxygen can do for you.

    ​This is how Oxygen Builder looks like on the backend.

    Oxygen Builder Backend

    ​Now, the downside of Oxygen. Just like any other WordPress builder tools, Oxygen has its downside and disadvantages too.

    • ​It has some core features missing as compared to other WordPress builders (example, the undo button)
    • ​Activating Oxygen means you will deactivate any active themes
    • Oxygen is so lightweight that it might not have some core files found in common WordPress themes
    • Learning curve to use Oxygen Builder is slightly higher than moderate

    ​Oxygen comes with three pricing—Basic ($99), WooCommerce ($149) and Agency ($169). All of these three plans come with lifetime access and unlimited website usage (which is a plus point)

    ​2. Thrive Themes Builder

    ​Make no mistake. Thrive Themes Builder is definitely on my second spot when it comes to ​the best Word​Press theme builder plugin in 2020.Thrive Themes Builder is the latest release and it had taken the WordPress industry by storm.

    Thrive Themes Builder Best WordPress Theme Builder 2020

    ​​Thrive Themes Builder comes with Thrive Architect and Thrive Leads integrated with it. And this means that you are getting the full suite of what Thrive Themes can offer.

    Here are the key features of Thrive Themes Builder.

    Key Features Rating

    ​Drag and drop builder

    		 ​Very intuitive and uninstalling doesn’t break your site
    ​Ease of setup ​Pretty neat and fast

    ​Demos and templates

    ​Over 300+ ready for download
    ​Compatibility​ ​Works well with most of the WordPress plugins

    ​Thrive Themes Builder uses Shapeshift theme. This allows you to easily create a customized WordPress theme with drag and drop feature and without touching a single line of code.

    ​Watch this video to learn how you can create a website template from scratch using Thrive Themes Builder and Shapeshift (under 2 minutes flat)!

    ​Is there anything I dislike about Thrive Themes Builder?

    ​To be honest, I tried hard but I couldn’t find something that I really dislike using Thrive Themes Builder. If I would need to choose one, I would say that my biggest concern is having to pay $19 for the ​subscription monthly for Thrive Membership.

    ​Other than that, I’m a superb happy customer with Thrive Themes Builder. Click the below button to try Thrive Themes Builder yourself!

    ​3. Elementor Pro

    Elementor is one of the most popular WordPress theme builder. Elementor calls themselves as the #1 free WordPress Page Builder and that is very true. With over 4 million active downloads, Elementor is definitely one of the heavy hitters in the WordPress world.

    Elementor Best WordPress Theme Builder Plugin

    ​Prior to moving to Oxygen + Thrive Architect (here’s the guide on how I made both Oxygen and Thrive Architect play well with each other), I was using Elementor Pro and mind you, I was a happy user!

    ​And for the record, I still use Elementor Pro for some of my sites but not my main sites like this one. 

    ​I used Elementor as early as their beta stage—and I cannot be happier. Here are some of the best Elementor features for WordPress owners.

    Key Features Rating
    ​Affordability

    ​Comes with both free and paid version
    ​Customize everything ​Drag and drop everything

    ​Mass usage

    		 ​Suitable for ​designers, developers, marketers, and entrepreneurs
    ​Ready made templates

    ​Over 80+ ready made templates

    ​There is no denial that Elementor is one of the best in the market. However, it is important to note that the free Elementor version comes with very limited features. 

    ​At the same time, there are many Elementor addons that you can install and use to further improve the experience and end results of your WordPress design.

    If you are looking for a great Word​Press theme builder software 2020, you can’t go wrong with Elementor.

    ​4. Divi Theme Builder

    ​Divi Theme builder is not far the pack and as a matter of fact, it is the fourth in the top 5 best ​​Word​Press theme builder plugin in 2020. Divi had long been in the backseat in the WordPress builder industry but they started to bounce back to the top 5 thanks to the all new Divi shape dividers feature.

    Divi Theme Builder Best WordPress Builders 2020

    ​Here are the important features of Divi theme builder.

    Key Features Rating
    ​Ready made modules ​40+ ready made website templates
    ​Ready made​ designs / elements ​800+ demos with 1-click ​install function
    ​Codeless ​​No coding skills required

    ​Learning curve

    		 ​Easy for beginners

    ​Divi Theme Builder is one of the most popular WordPress builders used by website developers. For starters, it is a one-time purchase that comes with unlimited websites and unlimited updates.

    ​Here are some of the downsides using Divi Theme Builder:

    • ​Very bloated
    • ​Ready made templates are large in size and impact website loading speed
    • Not suitable for shared hosting

    ​Nonetheless, ​Divi Theme Builder is still a powerful option—especially in the hands of a WordPress developer who knows how to remove the bloat from Divi. 

    ​On the side, it is important to note that Divi scores well in terms of usability and beginner-friendly. With yearly pricing starts at $89 and lifetime license at $247, this is definitely a well-invested WordPress tool for website development.

    ​5. Beaver Builder

    Last but not least, Beaver Builder. Beaver Builder is a powerful WordPress Page Builder plugin that is used by both beginners and professionals.

    ​Here’s a quick video of Beaver Builder.

    ​I do use Beaver Builder for some of my clients works, but not my main tool. What I really love about Beaver Builder are as follow.

    Key Features Rating
    ​Drag and drop builder ​Very intuitive and powerful

    ​Agency features

    		 ​White-labeling, override core templates, etc.
    ​Help and support ​One of the friendliest community around
    ​Availability in theme builder and plugin ​Highly compatible and great options

    ​If you are looking for the top WordPress builders in 2020 based on ranking, you can’t go wrong with Beaver Builder.

    ​Some of the downsides that you should take note are:

    • ​Higher pricing tier (starts at $99 for the standard package)
    • ​Powerful features are available from mid-tier and higher
    • The ​Beaver Builder theme is only available from mid-tier onwards

    ​Overall, Beaver Builder is still a nice WordPress theme builder tool. It is powerful and offers many possibilities, especially in creating a website design of your choice.

    WordPress ​Theme ​​Builder ​Comparison

    ​There are many options when it comes to choosing the best WordPress theme builder that fits your need. Here’s my top choice of WordPress theme builders based on rankings:

    1. ​Oxygen Builder — Best for web developers
    2. Thrive Themes Builder — Best for bloggers and Internet Marketers
    3. Elementor Pro — Best for bloggers
    4. Divi Theme Builder — Best for agency and business owners
    5. Beaver Builder — Best for agency-level
  • How To Use Oxygen With Other WordPress Builders?

    How To Use Oxygen With Other WordPress Builders?

    How To Use Oxygen With Other WordPress Builders

    ​How To Use WordPress Builders With Oxygen Builder?

    ​Oxygen Builder is one of the finest and most lean WordPress builders I had used. Elementor, Beaver Builder and Divi don’t come even close to what Oxygen Builder can offer.

    But, there’s a little problem.

    Oxygen Builder is known for not working well with other WordPress theme builders in the market. You cannot just install a WordPress ​theme and hope that it plays nicely with Oxygen.

    ​Often time, this WordPress guide is extremely important for those who had a large site and use one or more WordPress theme builder. Migrating everything to Oxygen not only takes time but a lot of effort too.

    ​There’s a little trick over it. Now, if you love watching video, hit the play button to watch how you can get Oxygen to work with any WordPress theme builder.

    ​How To Use Oxygen With Other WordPress Builders?

    ​By default, ​Oxygen Builder is a WordPress builder by itself. Therefore, I highly recommend you to use Oxygen with other WordPress builders only if you have a large site and it would be massive hassle to convert everything into Oxygen.

    It takes over $1,000 to complete the entire site migration to Oxygen. If this is something you are keen on, you can reach out to me and I’m happy to help you in anyway possible.

    ​There are two simple steps you need to take in order to use Oxygen with other WordPress builders:

    1. 1​Build a layout template for current/existing layout
    2. 2​Build a layout template for new posts and pages using Oxygen

    ​Part 1: Build A Layout Template For Existing Layout

    ​This is an important step to ensure that your website design do not break when you ​activate Oxygen Builder. Here are the steps you need to take.

    1. 1​Get a copy of Oxygen Builder
    2. 2​Install and activate Oxygen Builder license
    3. 3​Disable all cache plugin
    4. 4​Head over to Oxygen » Templates » ​Add New Template

    ​I am a huge fan of Thrive Architect and therefore, the following example will be integrating Thrive Architect into Oxygen Builder.

    “​Building an Oxygen template for all your old blog post is the first step and to avoid any distorted layouts when using Oxygen Builder.”

    – ​Reginald ​Chan –

    Integrate Thrive Architect Into Oxygen Builder

    • ​Add title: Put in a name for your Oxygen Template.
    • ​Inherit design from other template: None
    • ​Where does this template apply?: Singular (check Posts and Pages only)

    ​Once the above is done, click “Edit with Oxygen.”

    ​This template is to ensure that your website layout is not broken in anyway. Thus, you will be using Inner Content element on Oxygen Builder.

    ​By default, you will see an empty page. Select the panel on the left and search for Inner Content. Click on it to have the element imported to the layout.

    Inner Content Oxygen Builder

    ​For easier navigation, you can use Structure to have a bird’s eye view on the entire page.

    ​Now that this is done, you can perform additional setups such as screen layout.

    ​I set different layouts on different screen size. In order to do so, you need to ensure that the Inner Content element is location inside a ​Divider.

    Different Margin And Padding using Oxygen

    Part 2: ​Creating A New Template With Oxygen For New Posts And Pages

    ​Once you had completed the above steps, you need to create a new template with Oxygen. This will be used for ALL blog posts and pages that you create.

    “​Templates in Oxygen Builder is like using Global Widgets for Elementor. When you use them right, you are going to save a lot more time in WordPress design.”

    ​Reginald Chan

    ​The process of creating a new template on Oxygen is similar with the steps above. The next time you are creating a blog post or page, select the template that you had created with Oxygen and click on Edit with Elementor or Edit with Thrive Architect.

    ​By doing this, all the saved templates will be imported directly into your content and you don’t have to worry anything about the header, top and bottom menu, etc.

    ​Summary: Using Oxygen With Other WordPress Builders

    ​This WordPress tutorial is only best when you are using Oxygen ​on a large WordPress site (such as over 500+ posts and pages). This allows you to inherit all he previous designs and not breaking anything on your site.

    ​The best part, you will be able to use Oxygen Builder on all your latest blog posts and at the same time, using Oxygen with other WordPress builders.