Why Divi Leads the Pack

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Comparing the Top 3 Visual Builders in WordPress

If you’re looking to build or manage a WordPress website, using a visual builder can help save time by providing a framework to build on. They allow you to create and edit your website through a simple drag-and-drop interface, and typically require no coding unless you want to create custom solutions. But with so many options out there, how do you choose the right one? In this post, we’ll compare the top three builders—Divi, Elementor, and WPBakery—and explain why we prefer and use Divi.

Even if you’re not a web developer, picking the right builder can make managing your website much easier. Whether you’re updating content, creating pages, or a designer avoiding the complexity of custom built sites. The right builder will give you the power to do it yourself, without having to rely on a developer. Let’s dive in and look at what makes these builders different.

1. Divi by Elegant Themes

Divi is often considered one of the most flexible and user-friendly visual builders on the market, and we definitely agree with this at Ascend Web Creations. It’s designed to be easy for anyone to use—whether you’re a complete beginner or working with a team of developers. We personally transitioned to Divi after working in both Elementor and WPBakery in the past, we find that it gives us the best balance between drag-and-drop and custom built solutions.

Why Divi Stands Out:

  • Visual, Drag-and-Drop Interface: Divi lets you build your site visually. You can drag elements (like text, images, buttons, and more) to where you want them on the page. You see changes instantly as you make them, so you don’t have to guess what things will look like.
  • Pre-Made Layouts: Don’t want to start from scratch? Divi comes with hundreds of pre-built page layouts that elegant themes have put together for the community to use. You can pick one that suits your style, swap out the content, and you’re good to go. You can also create your own layouts or templates to keep branding consistent across your site.
  • Easy Content Updates: Need to change text or update images? You just click on the part of the page you want to edit, make your changes, and hit save. It’s that simple.
  • Global Design Control: Divi makes it easy to apply the same design across multiple pages (think matching headers, footers, or even button styles) with their template builder.

Why This Matters for You:

  • User-Friendly: You don’t need to be tech-savvy to use Divi. Its intuitive interface lets you make changes without touching a single line of code.
  • All-in-One Solution: With Divi, you can control your entire site’s design—whether you’re tweaking a blog post or changing your website’s main menu—without needing separate tools or plugins.
  • Developer Friendly: If you work with a developer, Divi has advanced features they can tap into, so it’s flexible enough for complex projects but still easy for you to manage day-to-day content.

2. Elementor

Elementor is another top contender and one of the easiest builders to get started with. It’s designed for users who want quick results with minimal learning curves.

Why People Love Elementor:

  • Instant Drag-and-Drop Editing: Like Divi, Elementor allows you to visually edit pages and see changes as you make them. You can drag elements like text blocks, videos, and images onto your page and arrange them as you see fit.
  • Widgets and Elements: Elementor comes with a wide variety of design tools (called “widgets”), from simple text boxes to more advanced features like sliders, forms, and even social media embeds.
  • Responsive Design: Elementor makes sure your site looks great on any device—whether it’s a desktop, tablet, or phone—without you having to tweak each version separately.
  • Templates for Fast Set-Up: If you’re not sure where to start, Elementor offers a library of pre-designed page templates that you can load and customize.

Why This Matters for You:

  • Quick Learning Curve: Elementor’s interface is intuitive and easy to pick up. If you’re new to website building, you’ll be able to start making changes right away without feeling overwhelmed.
  • Great for DIY Site Management: Need to add a new page or update existing content? Elementor makes it easy for you to manage your own site, saving you time and money.
  • Expandability: If you ever need advanced features, you can upgrade to Elementor Pro, which unlocks even more widgets and design options—but for most people, the free version is more than enough to get started.

3. WPBakery

WPBakery (formerly known as Visual Composer) has been around for a long time and is bundled with many WordPress themes. While it’s not as modern as Divi or Elementor, it’s still a popular choice for those looking for basic functionality. We personally find WPBakery harder to work with, and has less options with the other builders, however, they still have a dedicated developer base and continue to be a good options for developers who want less overhead then builders like Divi or Elementor.

What WPBakery Offers:

  • Front-End and Back-End Editing: You can edit your site from both the front end (where you see your changes in real-time) or the back end (where the layout is displayed as blocks).
  • Simple Drag-and-Drop Interface: WPBakery’s editor is drag-and-drop, but it doesn’t have the same level of flexibility or ease of use as Divi or Elementor.
  • Basic Templates and Layouts: WPBakery includes a library of templates, but it doesn’t offer the same range of designs or customization options as the other two builders.
  • Familiar to Many Themes: Because WPBakery is bundled with many themes, you may already have access to it if you’re using a premium theme that includes it.

Why This Matters for You:

  • Basic Editing: If you’re looking for a simple tool to make basic updates or manage content, WPBakery can get the job done. However, it might feel limited if you want to do more advanced customization.
  • Not as User-Friendly: WPBakery is a bit more dated in terms of design and functionality. If you want a more modern and flexible builder, you might find it lacking.
  • You Might Already Have It: If your theme came with WPBakery, it can be a familiar and cost-effective choice—but it’s worth considering upgrading to a more modern builder for better ease of use and design freedom.

Which Builder is Right for You?

If you’re looking for a visual builder that empowers you to manage your own site and make changes with ease, Divi and Elementor are the clear front-runners.

Here’s a quick recap:

  • Choose Divi if you want an all-in-one solution that’s flexible enough for both you and any developers you may work with. It’s user-friendly and allows you to create beautiful, responsive websites without needing multiple tools.
  • Choose Elementor if you prefer something that’s easy to learn and great for DIYers who want fast, professional-looking results. It’s perfect if you’re managing your own site and want to quickly add new pages or make updates.
  • WPBakery is an option if you need something basic or if it’s already included in your theme, but it doesn’t offer the same level of ease or customization as the other two.

No matter which builder you choose, each of these tools will allow you to take control of your website—empowering you to update content, make changes, and build new pages without needing to hire a developer for every tweak. At Ascend Web Creations we build all of our websites to be easily adjustable by you after the site is built. So that you’re empowered to create your own pages if you want to.

If you’re still unsure which one is right for you, or want us to assist you with adjusting your website, we can help guide you through the process. We’d be more than happy to work with you, let’s discuss how we can make managing your website a stress-free experience!

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