Back in the early 2000s, creating a website was nothing short of a challenge. Then came WordPress, revolutionizing web development by offering a user-friendly platform that made designing sites accessible to everyone. Over the years, WordPress has continuously evolved over the years, introducing new features and functionalities that have simplified web creation. Today, Gutenberg is a significant innovation in the WordPress ecosystem, but we also have other Page Builders like Elementor or Divi. These tools aim to make web design more intuitive, but each has strengths and limitations.
Understanding Gutenberg
Gutenberg has become the new default editor for WordPress, supplanting the classic editor with a block-based approach that empowers users to craft content more visually and flexibly. Its implementation signifies a notable transformation in the way users engage with WordPress.
Features and Functionality
Gutenberg operates on a block system, where each piece of content—whether it's a paragraph, image, or video—is a separate block that can be individually customized. This modular design makes it easier to create complex layouts without touching a single line of code. Additionally, Gutenberg blocks are reusable, allowing you to save and reuse custom blocks across different pages and posts.
Benefits of Gutenberg
Gutenberg's block system allows for a high degree of customization. You can easily add, move, and style blocks to create unique layouts. One of Gutenberg's standout features is its improved visual editing. What you see in the editor closely matches what your content will look like on the front end, reducing the need for frequent previews and adjustments. Using Gutenberg means future-proofing your site, as it is the future of WordPress and will be compatible with future upgrades and new features. Embracing Gutenberg guarantees you remain ahead of the curve and benefit from ongoing advancements. Furthermore, being part of the WordPress ecosystem, Gutenberg is backed by a huge and active community which provides countless tutorials, forums, and tools to help you get the most out of the block editor.
Gutenberg's Limitations
One limitation is that Gutenberg's extensive use of blocks might initially feel overwhelming, especially for beginners. But, with some practice, users often find that it simplifies the process of creating and arranging content. What's more, while Gutenberg supports many plugins, not all third-party plugins are fully compatible. This can limit functionality for highly specialized needs. However, the WordPress community is incredibly active, and many developers are continuously updating their plugins to ensure compatibility with Gutenberg, expanding its capabilities over time. Finally, Gutenberg's reliance on JavaScript may run slower on older or less powerful devices. Yet, this is a common issue with modern web technologies, and the benefits of a more dynamic and interactive editing experience often outweigh this drawback.
Exploring Page Builders
Page builders have existed for quite some time and have amassed a substantial user base due to their versatility and user-friendly interface. Leading page builders such as Elementor and Divi provide many features that simplify the web design process.
Ease of use
The ease of use of page builders largely depends on the user's familiarity with their interface and the specific need for design flexibility and customization. Page builders generally offer a visual and intuitive interface that simplifies the website creation process. While each page builder has its unique features, they share several essential functions. The most notable is the drag-and-drop interface, which allows users to construct websites easily without requiring prior technical knowledge. This makes page builders accessible and convenient for both beginners and experienced users seeking a more efficient way to design and customize their sites.
Source: Elegant Themes
Page Builders limitations
Page builders like Divi and Elementor can sometimes lead to slower page load times due to the additional code and resources they use. As part of the core WordPress software, Gutenberg tends to be more lightweight and can offer better performance and faster load times. What's more, page builders often generate significant additional HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code, making the site heavier and potentially harder to maintain. Gutenberg generally produces cleaner and more streamlined code, which can benefit site performance and maintenance.
When to choose Gutenberg
If you already use WordPress 5.0 or above, Gutenberg provides a smooth editing experience within the familiar WordPress interface. It's best suited for content-driven websites or blogs. Moreover, a WordPress agency can utilize tools to customize the editing experience, simplifying content creation while maintaining your brand's integrity. Choosing Gutenberg over other page builders integrates seamlessly with WordPress, reducing the learning curve and making managing an engaging site that represents your company easier and more cost-effective.
When to choose other Page Builders
We recommend using page builders if you're familiar with that ecosystem and your team is comfortable working within it. They are particularly beneficial for creating highly customized designs directly in the CMS, especially if you lack a development team to convert designs into blocks and patterns.
Conclusion
Gutenberg and Page Builders each offer unique advantages, but they also come with their limitations. Gutenberg offers a more streamlined editing experience and seamless integration with WordPress, while page builders deliver extensive customization options, advanced graphic design capabilities, and the ability to create complex layouts. Gutenberg and page builders provide excellent tools for unleashing creativity and building exceptional websites. The choice between them ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences.
If you still don't know which one you should choose, don't hesitate to contact us! With your help and requirements, we will make something amazing together.
Natalia Barańska
Marketing Specialist
