What are the top features of WordPress website builders?


WordPress website builders
Effortlessly design your site with a drag-and-drop WordPress website builders

Key takeaways:

  1. A website builder that provides SEO optimisation tools, integration with plugins and third-party tools, performance and speed optimisation, and solid e-commerce functionality enables developers to build dynamic, and fully functional websites that cater to all business needs.
  2. Good customer support and documentation, flexible pricing models, and a balanced approach to cost versus features all serve designers and developers by ensuring they can build efficient, well-supported websites that meet both technical and budgetary targets.

Introduction to WordPress website builders

Simplifying web design

The importance of selecting the right features

User-friendly interface

Drag and drop functionality

Ease and efficiency

Drag and drop functionality lets you select text boxes, images and buttons and place them exactly where you want on your page. Instead of writing code, you click and move elements. This saves a lot of time and makes designing a website straightforward.

User benefits

Seeing changes immediately helps you understand how the final site will appear, which makes the design process more intuitive. Beginners can create professional-looking sites without needing to learn HTML or CSS, while experienced designers can work more quickly when building a page.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Customisable pre-designed templates and themes

A strong foundation for design

Having a variety of templates and themes gives you a solid starting point for your website design. Templates offer a pre-set structure that makes it faster to set up your site, while themes determine the overall look and feel by setting colours, fonts and layout styles. Starting with these foundations helps you save time and effort, allowing you to focus on customising your site to meet your brand’s needs.

Flexibility and personalisation

Customisation options are key because they let you adjust templates and themes to match your vision. You can change colours, fonts, images, and layouts to ensure your website represents your identity whether it is personal or for business. This flexibility enhances the user experience by making your site stand out and engage visitors with a design that is truly yours.

The MaxiBlocks advantage

Streamlining the workflow

By providing a comprehensive library of templates and customisation tools, a free builder like MaxiBlocks gives you the ability to build a standout website quickly and efficiently. Whether you are a beginner or have some technical know-how, you can create a website that perfectly reflects your brand with minimal effort.

Elegant homepage layout from WordPress builder template collection
Elegant website designs made easy with WordPress website builder templates.

Real-time editing

What it means for designers

Real-time editing lets you see every change on your page immediately as you make it. Instead of switching between editing and preview modes, you work directly on the page and view the result at once. This means you can experiment with layouts, colours and content easily and spot issues right away.

Benefits of real-time editing

This feature speeds up the design process significantly. When you can instantly see the impact of your adjustments, you waste less time going back and forth between screens. It also encourages creativity since you can try out different ideas without worrying about making permanent mistakes. If an element does not look as expected, you can fix it immediately and maintain a smooth workflow.

Real-time editing is particularly useful for those with limited technical skills. Because it shows how the final site will appear during the design process, it simplifies website building for beginners and lets professionals work more efficiently.

Build like a pro

Responsive design capabilities

Modern importance

Responsive design ensures your website works well on any device, from 4K monitors to smartphones. This approach automatically adjusts layouts and content so that all visitors enjoy a smooth experience regardless of screen size or resolution.

Key features for responsiveness

Responsive design relies on flexible grids and layouts that adjust and rearrange content. Images and other media are scaled automatically to fit different screens. Techniques such as CSS media queries let you apply distinct styles depending on the device’s width, height and orientation. This way, text remains clear and navigation stays straightforward, even on smaller screens.

How MaxiBlocks delivers

MaxiBlocks uses Flexbox controls for precise alignment and stacking of content within containers. This means your website will maintain its structure whether viewed on a large desktop or a small mobile device. With built-in breakpoints tailored to various device widths, MaxiBlocks ensures that custom styles are applied consistently. This attention to detail creates a cohesive experience across devices and enhances overall user satisfaction.

User editing a pre-designed WordPress template in the builder
Customize beautiful templates with just a few clicks in WordPress.

Styling options

MaxiBlocks style cards

MaxiBlocks offers a range of style cards that simplify the process of customising your website. These cards let you adjust colours, fonts, spacing and more without writing a single line of code. They provide a straightforward way for both beginners and experienced developers to quickly apply a cohesive design across all page elements.

Consistency and flexibility

Using a single style card for similar elements helps maintain a uniform look across the site, which in turn enhances visual appeal and creates a smooth user experience. Designers can easily update the colour scheme or typography by modifying the relevant style card, with changes reflected automatically across all associated elements. This flexibility saves time and effort, ensuring that your website stays current and aligned with your brand identity.

Various website types created with WordPress builder templates
From blogs to portfolios templates in WordPress builders fit every need.

SEO optimisation tools

The importance of SEO

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is critical for any website’s success. Optimised websites rank higher in search results and attract more visitors, which can lead to increased engagement, higher conversion rates, and ultimately more business. SEO involves optimising meta tags, creating XML sitemaps, improving site speed and ensuring that content is easily understood by search engines.

Built-in SEO features in WordPress site builders

How MaxiBlocks enhances SEO

Drag-and-drop builder showcasing editable website templates
Launch your site faster with drag-and-drop WordPress templates.

Content modules: Enhancing website layouts

What are content modules?

Benefits of using content modules

Using well-designed content modules means that information is presented in a clear and organised way. For example, pricing tables can display different plans and their features side by side, making it easy for visitors to compare options. Once a module is set up, modifying its content is far simpler than building a custom layout from scratch. The same applies to other modules, such as those for testimonials or service descriptions, which streamline the design process and enhance readability.

Content modules simplify website design by providing pre-built, customisable elements that maintain a consistent and professional look. They allow designers to update content easily while preserving the overall layout, reducing effort and saving time. By incorporating content modules into your site, you ensure that your design is both efficient and appealing to users.

Build like a pro

Integration with plugins and third-party tools

Enhancing functionality and user experience

Examples of essential integrations

SEO, e-commerce and analytics

For search engine optimisation, tools like Yoast SEO or Rank Math provide features such as keyword analysis and sitemap generation to boost your site’s visibility. E‑commerce platforms like WooCommerce let you create an online store with ease. Analytics tools such as Google Analytics help track visitor behaviour and overall performance, giving you insights to refine your strategy.

Social media, contact forms and security

Plugins that connect your website to social networks simplify sharing and increase user engagement. Contact forms like Contact Form 7 and customer relationship management systems such as HubSpot make it easier to manage communications. Security plugins, for example Wordfence or Sucuri, add an extra layer of protection against potential threats.

How MaxiBlocks supports integration

E-commerce functionality

Essential features for an online store

Building an online store demands a solid e-commerce setup that offers smooth navigation for customers and efficient management for store owners. Product management systems are central to this setup and should allow you to add, edit, and categorise products easily. Options for product variations, such as size or colour, as well as stock levels and SKU management, are vital. A reliable shopping cart feature lets customers review their orders and proceed to checkout seamlessly. In addition, integrated payment processing is a must, ensuring secure transactions on your site.

Supporting sales and shipping

After-sales tools are important for order tracking, updating order statuses, and sending confirmation messages to customers. For physical products, there must be systems in place to calculate shipping rates and taxes. Promotional tools, like the ability to create sales coupons, help boost marketing efforts and drive conversions.

MaxiBlocks in the e-commerce space

WordPress website builder template featuring a clean business layout
Clean and professional layouts designed in a WordPress website builder.

Additional considerations for website builders

Customer support and documentation

Reliable support

Having dependable customer support is essential. Whether you face a technical issue or need guidance on using certain features, quick assistance can reduce downtime. Good support options include live chat, detailed email responses, and access to community forums where users share their experiences.

Quality documentation

Clear guides and tutorials help reduce the learning curve and solve problems quickly. Comprehensive documentation makes it easier to understand new features, troubleshoot issues and expand your site’s capabilities over time.

Performance and optimisation

Clean code and speed

Efficiency matters. Builders that produce lightweight, optimised code help your website load faster, which is vital for user experience and SEO. Techniques like minifying CSS, JavaScript, and HTML, along with the use of caching and CDN integration, contribute to a faster site.

Responsive design

Pricing models for WordPress website builders

Free versus premium

Assessing total cost

Consider the overall cost over time. Think about recurring fees for premium add-ons or subscriptions and compare these with the value of the extra features provided. A transparent, affordable pricing model will help you manage your budget while still delivering the functionality you need.

Cost versus features

Functionality and usability

Long-term benefits

Collection of pre-made WordPress builder templates on screen
Ready-to-use templates from top WordPress website builders.

Final thoughts

Key features and considerations for WordPress website builders

  • User-friendly interface: Offers an easy learning curve so that both beginners and experienced designers can start building immediately.
  • Drag and drop functionality: Simplifies the design process by letting you arrange and adjust page elements quickly.
  • Customisable templates and themes: Provides a solid foundation with pre-designed layouts that you can tailor to match your brand.
  • Real-time editing: Allows you to see changes as you make them, speeding up the workflow and reducing trial and error.
  • Responsive design: Ensures that your website performs well on all devices, enhancing both the user experience and SEO.
  • Styling options: Utilises style cards to apply consistent colours, fonts and layouts across the site effortlessly.
  • Widget support: Enables you to add features such as social media feeds, calendars, and contact forms without extra coding.
  • SEO optimisation tools: Help improve your search rankings by managing meta tags, sitemaps and other technical aspects.
  • Content modules: Provide pre-made blocks like testimonials, pricing tables, and image galleries for organised content display.
  • Integration with plugins: Extends your site’s functionality by allowing you to add extra features that meet specific needs.
  • E-commerce functionality: Supports online stores by offering tools for product management, payment processing, shipping and more.
  • Customer support and documentation: Ensures that help is available via tutorials, forums, and live support when needed.
  • Performance and speed optimisation: Delivers clean, efficient code to ensure fast load times and smooth operation.
  • Pricing and value for money: Balances cost against features, ensuring you get a professional solution that meets your project requirements without overspending.

Next steps

  • Evaluate your project requirements and budget.
  • Test free trials or demos to see which builder fits your workflow.
  • Choose a tool that combines the features you need with strong performance and support.

WordPress website builder for design and customization

Explore guides, tutorials, and resources made for using WordPress website builders like MaxiBlocks.

HomePage-Maxi-Pils

FAQs – Top features of WordPress website builders

What is a WordPress website builder?

Do I need to know how to code to use a WordPress website builder?

What are the benefits of using a WordPress website builder?

Can I customise templates and themes in a WordPress website builder?

What is drag and drop functionality?

Drag and drop functionality lets you select elements such as text boxes, images and buttons and move them around the page with your mouse. This makes designing your website more visual and eliminates the need for manual coding.

How does responsive design work in WordPress website builders?

Responsive design ensures that your website displays properly on all devices, from desktops and laptops to tablets and smartphones. Website builders use flexible layouts and CSS media queries to automatically adjust the site’s elements to suit different screen sizes.

What are some essential features to look for in a WordPress website builder?

Look for a user friendly interface, drag and drop editing, a wide range of customisable templates and themes, responsive design, SEO tools, integration with plugins and external tools, e‑commerce functionality and reliable customer support and documentation.

Can I integrate third party tools and plugins with a WordPress website builder?

How do WordPress website builders handle e‑commerce functionality?

Many WordPress website builders integrate with popular e‑commerce plugins like WooCommerce. This integration allows you to manage products, set up a shopping cart, process payments, and handle order management, all from within the website builder.

What kind of customer support can I expect from a WordPress website builder?

Support varies between builders but typically includes live chat, email support, active community forums and comprehensive documentation with guides and tutorials. Some platforms also offer phone support, particularly for premium users.

What services do WordPress website designers offer?

WordPress website designers typically offer services like custom theme design, layout creation, branding, and optimisation of user experience. They combine the use of website builders with their design expertise to produce customised websites that meet specific client needs.

What is the difference between WordPress site builders and WordPress website designers?

Site builders focus on the technical process of setting up and customising a site with drag and drop tools, while website designers concentrate on the visual style and overall user experience. In short, a builder provides the framework, and a designer refines the look and feel to match your brand.

Can WordPress site builders help with e‑commerce sites?

Yes, many site builders are fully compatible with e‑commerce plugins like WooCommerce. They enable you to set up, design and manage an online store with features such as product management, a shopping cart, and payment processing.

What is WordPress full site editing?

WordPress full site editing is a feature that allows you to modify every part of your website – including headers, footers and sidebars – using the block editor. This gives you greater control over the overall design and layout of your site.

How do I enable WordPress full site editing on my website?

To enable full site editing, you need to use a theme that supports it – such as a block-based theme – and ensure your WordPress installation is updated to the latest version. Once you have the right theme and version, full site editing becomes available through the editor.

Author-Kyra

Kyra Pieterse

Author

Kyra is the co-founder and creative lead of MaxiBlocks, an open-source page builder for WordPress Gutenberg.

You may also like