In the world of website building, there are plenty of tools and platforms available to make the process more streamlined and efficient. Two of the most popular options are Gutenberg and WPBakery, both of which are powerful tools with unique features. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these two tools and compare them to determine which one is the best choice for building your website in 2023.
What is Gutenberg?
Gutenberg is a page builder that’s built directly into WordPress. It’s been around since 2018 and has since become the default editor for WordPress websites. Gutenberg uses a block-based approach to page building, which means you can build your pages by adding individual blocks for text, images, videos, and other content types. The blocks can be customized in various ways, including changing the font size, color, and style, and the overall layout of your page can be modified through the use of templates and custom blocks.
What is WPBakery?
WPBakery is a popular page builder plugin for WordPress that’s been around since 2011. Unlike Gutenberg, WPBakery uses a drag-and-drop interface to build pages, allowing you to quickly and easily create complex layouts without needing to know any coding. With WPBakery, you can add various elements to your pages, including buttons, sliders, and image galleries. It also comes with a wide variety of pre-designed templates that you can use to jump-start your page building process.
Comparing Features
When it comes to features, both Gutenberg and WPBakery have their strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a quick rundown of what each tool has to offer:
Gutenberg Features:
Block-based page building
Customizable templates
Inline text editing
Full-width and wide-width blocks
Responsive design
WPBakery Features
Drag-and-drop interface
Pre-designed templates
Wide variety of page elements
Customizable animations
Grid builder
As you can see, both tools offer plenty of features to help you create beautiful, functional websites. Gutenberg is ideal for those who prefer a more structured approach to page building, while WPBakery is great for those who want more flexibility and control over their layouts.
Which One is Easier to Use?
Ease of use is an important consideration when choosing a page builder. After all, you don’t want to spend hours trying to figure out how to use a tool that’s supposed to make your life easier. Here’s how Gutenberg and WPBakery stack up in terms of user-friendliness:
Gutenberg Ease of Use:
Straightforward block-based interface
Inline text editing
Intuitive drag-and-drop layout options
Easy to create reusable blocks
WPBakery Ease of Use:
Drag-and-drop interface
Pre-designed templates for easy page creation
Simple to add and customize page elements
Visual composer mode for more control
Overall, both Gutenberg and WPBakery are fairly easy to use. Gutenberg has a more structured approach to page building, which can make it easier to create consistent layouts, but it can also be more difficult to customize certain elements. WPBakery, on the other hand, has a more flexible interface that can take some time to master but allows for more creative freedom.
Which One is Better for SEO?
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a crucial aspect of building any website. A well-optimized website can rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) and drive more organic traffic to your site. When it comes to SEO, both Gutenberg and WPBakery have their pros and cons.
Gutenberg SEO:
Uses clean code for better page load times
Allows for easy creation of structured content
Customizable meta descriptions and titles
WPBakery SEO:
Can create unique and engaging content
Offers a wide variety of design options to make your pages stand out
Allows for easy customization of page titles and descriptions
Overall, both tools offer plenty of SEO benefits. Gutenberg is great for creating structured content that’s easy to read and optimize, while WPBakery allows for more creative freedom, which can help your pages stand out in search results. Ultimately, the best tool for SEO will depend on your specific goals and needs.
Which One is Better for Mobile Optimization?
In 2023, mobile optimization is more important than ever. With the majority of internet traffic coming from mobile devices, it’s crucial to ensure your website is optimized for mobile users. Here’s how Gutenberg and WPBakery compare when it comes to mobile optimization:
Gutenberg Mobile Optimization:
Uses responsive design for easy mobile optimization
Customizable block settings for different screen sizes
Mobile preview mode to see how your page will look on different devices
WPBakery Mobile Optimization:
Offers a wide variety of mobile-optimized templates
Drag-and-drop interface for easy mobile optimization
Customizable element settings for different screen sizes
Both tools offer plenty of options for mobile optimization, but Gutenberg’s responsive design and mobile preview mode make it easier to create pages that look great on any device. WPBakery’s mobile-optimized templates are also a great option if you’re short on time or don’t want to spend a lot of time optimizing your pages for mobile.
Which One is Better for eCommerce?
If you’re building an eCommerce website, you’ll want to choose a tool that’s optimized for online sales. Here’s how Gutenberg and WPBakery compare when it comes to eCommerce features:
Gutenberg eCommerce Features:
Integration with popular eCommerce plugins like WooCommerce
Customizable product blocks for easy product display
Easy to create landing pages for specific products or promotions
WPBakery eCommerce Features:
Integration with popular eCommerce plugins like WooCommerce and Shopify
Customizable product pages for easy product display
Ability to create custom checkout pages
Both tools offer plenty of eCommerce features, but WPBakery’s ability to create custom checkout pages gives it a slight edge for online sellers. However, if you’re using WooCommerce, both tools offer plenty of integration options and customizable product blocks to make it easy to display your products in the best possible light.
Which One is Better for Cost?
Cost is always a consideration when choosing any tool or service. Here’s how Gutenberg and WPBakery compare when it comes to cost:
Gutenberg Cost:
Free and included with WordPress
No additional cost for basic page building features
May require purchasing premium blocks or plugins for advanced features
WPBakery Cost:
Pricing starts at $64 for a single site license
Additional cost for add-ons and premium templates
Requires ongoing subscription for support and updates
In terms of cost, Gutenberg is the clear winner. It’s included with WordPress and offers a range of basic page building features for free. While premium blocks or plugins may require additional investment, it’s still a much more cost-effective option than WPBakery, which requires a significant upfront investment and ongoing subscription costs for support and updates.
Conclusion
So, which tool is better for building your WordPress website in 2023: Gutenberg or WPBakery? The answer, as with most things in life, is: it depends. Both tools offer plenty of features and benefits, and the best option for you will depend on your specific goals, needs, and budget.
If you’re looking for a free, easy-to-use tool with plenty of basic page building features and great SEO and mobile optimization, Gutenberg is a great option. If you’re willing to invest in a more flexible, customizable, and feature-rich tool, WPBakery may be a better choice.
Ultimately, the decision is up to you. Try out both tools, experiment with different page layouts and features, and choose the one that best suits your needs and budget. And if you need help along the way, there are plenty of resources available online, including tutorials, forums, and support communities, to help you make the most of either tool.
