WordPress theme with the best free page builder
Looking for Creative Inspiration?
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Explore Over 2,000 Patterns, 164 Layouts, and 14,000+ Icons with MaxiBlocks!👇
If you feel limited by your WordPress website, free WordPress page builders can help
These tools allow you to design and customize your website without needing coding skills or a large budget. Page builders offer drag-and-drop functionality, pre-designed templates, and customization options for both experienced designers and beginners.
What is a WordPress page builder?
A WordPress page builder is typically a plugin that sits on top of WordPress giving you extra functionality and extending the core WordPress features. Most page builders come with drag and dropping of content making it easier for ordinary people and DIY website builders to get started.
Benefits of using WordPress page builders
WordPress page builders have gained popularity due to the numerous benefits they offer.
They are easy to use
A page builder comes with its own UI and settings. Instead of old school CSS and HTML, the settings generate the CSS when it export the page. So a creator can set say the font size as a setting in the sidebar and the builder will save and export that setting in the web page.
No coding knowledge required
One of the key benefits of using a page builder free WordPress is that you don’t need any coding knowledge to create a professional-looking website. These modern tools make web design accessible to anyone, regardless of their technical background.
See changes in real-time with front-end editing
Front-end editing allows you to see changes as you make them, providing a real-time preview of your website. This feature can save you significant time as you can directly adjust your design on the spot without constantly previewing the changes.
Design flexibility
WordPress page builders provide a lot of design freedom. Using the builders settings you can design your website to match your brand. For example you favourite font and colours.
Library of pre-built goodies
No one wants to start with a blank page. Having a design library of pre-made elements kick starts your project. If you load a hero as a first starting pattern it can give you ideas on what you need. Like it will most likely load with a headline and a sub-headline, a call to action button and a place for an image. Alternately you can load a pre-made full page and you can just follow the structure of the page fill the text you like and update the image with your own.
Responsive design
Page builder like MaxiBlocks come with breakpoints built into the UI. In each breakpoint, you can adjust the setting to make sure it all looks great on all the different devices.
Time and cost efficiency
Using a WordPress page builder can also save you time and money. In past the costs were high as someone would have to code each line of HTML to make a website. And then code all the responsive breakpoints as well. You have lots of free and open source options available.
SEO-friendly
WordPress page builders are designed with SEO in mind. They produce clean and semantic markup which is favorable for search engine algorithms. They are also compatible with popular SEO plugins, making it easier to integrate SEO-enhancing elements like meta tags.
Integration capabilities
These tools are compatible with most WordPress themes and can be seamlessly integrated with popular WordPress plugins. They can also connect with various marketing tools and social media platforms, providing a holistic approach to your online presence.
Regular updates and support
WordPress page builders are regularly updated to ensure compatibility with the latest versions of WordPress. They also have active community support and extensive documentation to help you troubleshoot any issues. If you opt for a premium version, you usually have access to professional support services.
Popular free WordPress page builders
Elementor
Elementor stands tall in the realm of WordPress page builders with its array of features designed for effortless web page creation. It is characterized by its user-centric interface and an array of widgets, enabling a simple yet efficient design process.
One of Elementors strengths is its huge community, especially in Facebooks. User actively post questions and are normally answered instantly. Their are also lots of Elementor addons which extend Elementors settings. And some of these addons are free and can be found on the WordPress repo.
Beaver Builder
Beaver Builder is a powerful WordPress page builder that prides itself on simplifying the web design process.
Beaver Builder’s responsive design capabilities ensure that your website looks great on any device or screen size. Additionally, the pre-made templates can help you save time while creating professional-looking pages.
Support is one area where Beaver Builder excels. There’s comprehensive documentation, helpful blogs, and an active community forum where users can share knowledge and help one another.
SiteOrigin Page Builder
SiteOrigin Page Builder offers an intuitive approach to webpage creation, focusing on flexibility and customization.
SiteOrigin’s come packed with settings. Creators can play and adjust the padding, margins, backgrounds, borders, and more, providing unique combinations.
A robust and active community supports SiteOrigin, with a thorough support forum and numerous resources to assist users when in need.
Brizy
Brizy, a relatively new contender in the WordPress page builder arena, has garnered attention due to its innovative features. Its design interface is minimalistic, with real-time editing allowing users to view changes immediately.
One of Brizy’s strong points is its global styling capabilities. Users can define global styles for elements like typography and colours, which can then be applied across all pages and posts for a cohesive look. Furthermore, Brizy boasts a vast library of pre-designed blocks for quick and easy page creation.
Gutenberg
Gutenberg is core to WordPress and therefore available for free to everyone right out the box. While it is still new and lacking all the features other more mature page builders have its being actively developed by an enthusiastic bunch of volunteers.
Comparison of different free WordPress page builders
Elementor
Pros:
- User-friendly interface: Elementor’s drag-and-drop interface is intuitive and straightforward, making it easy for users of all skill levels.
- Diverse widget library: Elementor’s comprehensive library of widgets enables a high level of customization.
- Active community: With a robust community, users have access to numerous resources and support.
Cons:
- Limited features in the free version: While the free version is robust, some of the more advanced features require a premium subscription.
- May slow down your website: Some users have reported that Elementor can make your website load slower due to its extensive features.
Beaver Builder
Pros:
- Responsive design: Beaver Builder automatically optimizes your site for different devices and screen sizes.
- Pre-made templates: Jump start with premade and pre tested templates.
- Excellent support: Beaver Builder offers comprehensive documentation and a responsive support community.
Cons:
- Limited modules in the free version: The free version is somewhat limited, and many of the more exciting features are reserved for the premium version.
- The interface is less modern: Compared to some other builders, Beaver Builder’s interface may seem less sleek and modern.
SiteOrigin Page Builder
Pros:
- Highly customizable: With flexible row and widget styles, you can achieve a unique look for your website.
- Robust community support: SiteOrigin has an active user community that provides a wealth of resources and support.
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve: SiteOrigin can be a bit more complex to learn and use compared to some other builders.
- Less intuitive interface: The interface, while powerful, isn’t as visually intuitive as some other options on the market.
Brizy
Pros:
- Real-time editing: You can see your changes as you make them, which simplifies the design process.
- Extensive pre-designed blocks: Brizy offers a large library of pre-designed blocks that can speed up the design process.
Cons:
- New player: As a relatively new player in the market, Brizy might not be as robust or tested as other more established builders.
- Limited community and resources: Compared to more established builders, Brizy has fewer online resources and a smaller community.
Gutenberg
Pros:
- Built into WordPress: As WordPress’s built-in builder, it offers a seamless design experience.
- Block-based system: This system simplifies the design process and makes Gutenberg easy to use.
Cons:
- Limited features: Compared to other builders, Gutenberg has fewer features and customization options.
- Compatibility issues: Gutenberg can sometimes have compatibility issues with certain WordPress themes and plugins.
Let’s jump in and learn how to use your new WordPress page builder
First lets install your new page builder
There are two ways to install your page builder. The easiest is to go to your plugin dashboard and search for it there and follow the prompts till it’s installed. The other way is to download the plugin from the plugins website and in the plugin dashboard click the “upload” button and add it from there.
Take a look at interface to get a feel of what you can do
Watch tutorials’, read the documentation. You can also load a premade layout and on a testing site play around with the settings until you feel confident to build out a live website.
Creating your first page
Once you have mastered the interface you can get to work on creating your first page. If you dont load a premade template then its a bit like starting on a blank canvas. Some creators like to plan out a wireframe first. It can be simple and just a hard drawn sketch. Put yourself in you visitors shoes, What do they want to do? Do you want to sell a service or product? Build up an email list. This will effect the element you will add to your new web page.
Designing your page layout
Your page layout will generally include a header and footer, a main body, and, if required, sidebars. The header and footer, consistent across your site, will contain elements like your logo, navigation menu, and contact information. The main body is the area for your unique content, divided into sections for easy organization. Sidebars can also be included to provide additional information or functionality.
Customizing your page design
Once your layout is established, you can further modify your design by altering elements such as margins, padding, and alignments. Colours, fonts, backgrounds, and borders can be personalized to match your brand’s identity. Many builders also offer special effects like animations, shadows, and shape dividers, to add an extra touch to your design.
Ensuring mobile responsiveness
Almost everyone has a smartphone. Some people even have more than one. So it make sense to make sure your website looks great across all the different breakpoints.
Previewing, saving, and publishing your page
Before making your design live, it’s a good idea to preview and test your page to spot any errors or design inconsistencies. Save your work regularly to prevent losing changes, and use features like templates and revisions for easier workflow management. Once content with your design, you can publish your page to make it live and accessible to your audience.
Beyond the basics: advanced page builder features
For those seeking to delve deeper, many page builders offer advanced features. Dynamic content enables you to source content from your website database, offering personalization options. Global widgets and site-wide settings ensure design consistency across your website. For the utmost design control, you can explore custom CSS, providing you with the ability to precisely adjust every detail of your page design.
Let’s look at some tips you can use to help getting started
Look inside toolbox
Take some time and go thought all the settings. Know what the builder can do will help give you confidence but also will give you ideas. Most page builder have modules and widgets. Combining these in different arrangements can create interesting design layouts.
Customize it to suit your brand and personality
With so many websites competing these days it’s easy to get lost. By customising your design and content you have a better chance of standing out from the bland cookie cutter websites out there.
Understanding dynamic content
Dynamic content may seem confussing at first but if you understand how to use it it can be very powerful. You can create personalized experiences for you future website visitors. Like you can greet them by showing there name or show content based on their location. For example if you sold a ebook and have it in different languages then you would show the Spanish language one to some visiting from Spain. This will help convert better as the visitors are seeing content relevant to them. Its can also boost your ranking in search engines because the content will be closer to what the visitor is searching.
Interactive actions such as animations and transitions
Most visitors bounce after only a few seconds on a website. Adding some interactions can help engage your visitors and improve their user exseperence. Make it more personal with quizzes or chatbots. Sometimes interactions can help guide a user where you want them to go. For example a pop up offering a discount on a certain page. A another side effect from adding interactions is a more personal connection between visitors and the website. Be careful tho not to add to many as this can irritate some user especially if they are a little older.
It’s all a balancing act
While design is important the website performance is as important. No one wants to wait for a web page to load or even worse click on a broken link. This will reduce those pesky support tickets and convert more leads. Create a checklist and do random checks to make sure it’s all running smoothly.
Tips for keeping your site light without compromising design
There are several ways to keep your site light without compromising on design. These include using compressed images, minimizing the use of heavy scripts and plugins, and using caching techniques to speed up load times.
Using caching plugins to improve site speed: Caching plugins can help to improve the speed of your website by storing commonly accessed data in memory. Using global settings for consistency: Global settings allow you to define styles and settings that apply across your entire website.
Examples of stunning websites built with free WordPress page builders
- ismet – A Los Angeles-based restaurant with a simple and intuitive website that showcases the restaurant’s brand design.
- FullyRaw – A lifestyle brand run by Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram, selling online programs, retreats, a book, live speaking, coaching and more. The website is well-organized and consistent with the brand’s bold colours and fonts.
- Industrial Jewellery – A London-based modern jewellery designer with a clever home page design that layers photos of the designer beneath product images.
- Girlboss – A professional network for ambitious women with a clean and modern website design.
- Fat Choy – A vegan Chinese-American restaurant with a simple and visually appealing website.
- Knapsack Creative – A branding and web design agency with a visually stunning website that showcases their work.
- Grette – A Norwegian law firm with a clean and modern website design.
- The Cool Club – An online store selling illustrated playing cards and art prints with a visually appealing website.
- Wendy Ju – An interaction design researcher and professor with a clean and modern website design.
- Mikaela Reuben – A culinary nutritionist and health consultant with a visually appealing website that showcases her services.
- Harper Wilde – An online bra company with a clean and modern website design.
Let’s look at some frequently asked questions about FAQs for WordPress Themes
Selecting the best free WordPress page builder for your blog
For creating a blog, there’s a wide variety of free WordPress page builders, ranging from the default WordPress block editor to standalone plugins like Elementor or Beaver Builder. The “best” page builder for you depends on several factors, including the complexity of your blog, your comfort level with the tool’s interface, and your overall design vision.
What are WordPress themes?
WordPress themes are pre-designed templates that determine the look and functionality of a WordPress website, including its layout, colour scheme, typography, and other design elements.
How do I install a WordPress theme?
You can install a theme by navigating to the Appearance > Themes section in your WordPress dashboard, clicking “Add New,” selecting a theme from the directory, and clicking “Install” followed by “Activate.”
Can I customize a WordPress theme?
Yes, most themes come with customization options that allow you to change colours, fonts, layouts, and other design elements through the WordPress Customizer or theme settings.
What is a child theme in WordPress?
A child theme inherits the functionality and styling of a parent theme, allowing you to make modifications without affecting the parent theme’s code. This ensures that your changes are preserved when the parent theme is updated.
Where can I find WordPress themes?
WordPress themes can be found in the official WordPress theme directory, on third-party websites, or from theme developers and marketplaces such as ThemeForest.
Are there free and premium WordPress themes?
Yes, there are both free WordPress theme available in the WordPress theme directory and premium themes sold by third-party developers, which often include additional features and support.
How do I update a WordPress theme?
Themes can be updated by navigating to the Dashboard > Updates section in WordPress, where you will see available updates for your installed themes. Click “Update” to apply the latest version.
Can I switch WordPress themes without losing content?
Yes, switching themes does not affect your content. However, some theme-specific settings and customizations may not transfer, so you may need to reconfigure certain elements.
What should I consider when choosing a WordPress theme?
Consider the theme’s design, responsiveness, customization options, compatibility with plugins, loading speed, SEO friendliness, and customer support.
How do I preview a WordPress theme before activating it?
You can preview a theme by going to Appearance > Themes, hovering over a theme, and clicking the “Live Preview” button to see how it will look on your site before activating it.
What are responsive WordPress themes?
Responsive themes automatically adjust their layout and design to look good on various devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
Can I create my own WordPress theme?
Yes, if you have knowledge of HTML, CSS, PHP, and WordPress development standards, you can create your own custom theme from scratch or use a starter theme or framework.
What is a multipurpose WordPress theme?
Multipurpose themes are versatile WordPress theme designed to suit various types of websites, such as blogs, business sites, e-commerce stores, portfolios, and more.
How do I backup my WordPress theme?
You can back up your theme by downloading the theme files via FTP or by using a backup plugin that saves your entire WordPress installation, including themes.
Why should I update my WordPress theme regularly?
Regular updates ensure your theme is compatible with the latest WordPress version, includes new features, and is secure against vulnerabilities.
What are theme frameworks in WordPress?
Theme frameworks are robust parent themes that provide a foundation for developing custom child themes with advanced functionality and design flexibility.
How do I remove a WordPress theme?
To remove a theme, go to Appearance > Themes, select the theme you want to delete, click “Theme Details,” and then click the “Delete” button in the bottom-right corner.
What is a WordPress theme demo?
A theme demo is a live preview of a WordPress theme provided by the developer, showcasing the theme’s features, layout, and design to help you decide if it suits your needs.
How do I resolve issues with a WordPress theme?
Common issues can be resolved by checking for theme updates, deactivating conflicting plugins, consulting the theme’s documentation, or contacting the theme developer’s support.
Can I use multiple themes on one WordPress site?
No, WordPress allows only one active theme at a time per site, but you can create different layouts and styles within a single theme using custom templates and page builders.
WordPress itself
Official Website
wordpress.org – This is the official website for WordPress, where you can download the software, find documentation, and learn more about using it.
WordPress Codex
codex.wordpress.org/Main_Page – This is a comprehensive documentation resource for WordPress, covering everything from installation and configuration to specific functionality and troubleshooting.
WordPress Theme Directory
wordpress.org/themes – The official WordPress theme directory is a great place to find free and premium WordPress themes. You can browse themes by category, feature, and popularity.
maxiblocks.com/go/help-desk
maxiblocks.com/pro-library
www.youtube.com/@maxiblocks
twitter.com/maxiblocks
linkedin.com/company/maxi-blocks
github.com/orgs/maxi-blocks
wordpress.org/plugins/maxi-blocks