How to Use the WPBakery Page Builder?

How to use the WPBakery page builder? This is a common question for WordPress users. WPBakery Page Builder makes website creation possible without coding. This guide teaches you everything about using WPBakery in 2025.

You’ll learn setup steps, editing techniques, and best practices. We’ve tested WPBakery extensively on multiple projects. This tutorial covers both beginners and experienced users.

WordPress powers over 60% of all CMS-based websites globally. WPBakery helps you create stunning pages without technical knowledge. Based on our 3-year experience, it’s ideal for specific use cases.

What is a WPBakery Page Builder?

WPBakery Page Builder is a premium WordPress plugin for website design. It offers drag-and-drop functionality without coding requirements.

The plugin was formerly known as Visual Composer until 2018. The rebranding separated it from Visual Composer Website Builder. These are two completely different products now.

WPBakery includes 50+ content elements for page creation. You can build any type of WordPress page. The plugin comes with both frontend and backend editors.

Key Features at a Glance

WPBakery offers dual editing modes for different workflows. The frontend editor shows real-time visual changes. The backend editor provides structural grid-based editing.

Both editors access identical features and produce the same output. You can switch between them anytime during editing.

The plugin includes 50+ pre-built content elements. These cover text, images, videos, galleries, and interactive components. Additional premium add-ons extend functionality further.

Why Do You Need WPBakery Page Builder?

You need a WPBakery page builder to build amazing WordPress websites. It allows you to add any type of content to your website’s pages like text, images, videos, etc.

Traditional WordPress editing requires HTML and CSS knowledge. WPBakery eliminates this technical barrier completely. You can create custom layouts in minutes, not hours.

Primary Benefits

WPBakery offers lifetime licensing with a one-time payment. No recurring subscription fees are required. The current price is $69 for a single-site license.

Many premium themes bundle WPBakery for free. Popular themes like The7, Porto, and Bridge include it. This saves money while providing professional design tools.

This plugin supports full WooCommerce integration natively. You can design custom shop pages and product layouts. WPBakery custom elements enhance eCommerce functionality significantly.

The template library provides 100+ ready-made layouts. These give you professional starting points. WPBakery page builder templates speed up development time.

WPBakery Pricing and Licensing (2025)

WPBakery uses lifetime licensing, not subscriptions. You pay once and own the license forever.
Regular license costs $69 for one website. This includes lifetime updates and one year support. Extended license for SaaS applications costs more.

Where to Purchase

Buy directly from wpbakery.com for the best support. You get 12 months of Support Plus included. CodeCanyon offers it for $64-70 with 6 months of support.

Most users get WPBakery bundled with premium themes. Check if your theme already includes it. This saves $69 and provides automatic updates.

Multi-site licenses are available for agencies. 5-site license costs $256, 10-site costs $499. Volume discounts apply for 20+ licenses.

System Requirements for WPBakery (2025)

WPBakery requires WordPress 6.6 or higher. PHP 7.4 minimum is mandatory, and PHP 8.3 is fully supported. MySQL 8.0+ or MariaDB 10.4+ is required.

Server Configuration Needed

A minimum 256MB PHP memory limit is essential. The upload file size should exceed 7MB. Max execution time of 90 seconds is recommended.

Required PHP extensions include Zip and cURL. Exif and GD extensions handle image manipulation. HTTPS encryption is non-negotiable in 2025.

Browser Compatibility

Latest Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge are supported. Internet Explorer is not compatible anymore. Safari versions before 12 are not supported.

How to Use the WPBakery Page Builder: Installation Guide

Based on our testing, installation takes 5-10 minutes. You must purchase the plugin before installing.

Step 1: Purchase and Download WPBakery

Visit wpbakery.com or CodeCanyon to buy. Complete the purchase and download the ZIP file. Save your license key for activation.

Step 2: Upload Plugin to WordPress Dashboard

Log into your WordPress admin dashboard. Navigate to Plugins → Add New. Click the “Upload Plugin” button at top.

Select the downloaded ZIP file from the computer. Click “Install Now” and wait for the upload. Click “Activate” after installation completes.

Step 3: Activate Your WPBakery License

Go to WPBakery Page Builder in sidebar. Click on “Product License” tab. Enter your license key in the field.

Click “Activate License” button to enable features. Your license key is in purchase email. Save this key for future reference.

How to Use the WPBakery Page Builder: Configuration Settings

Configuration ensures optimal plugin performance. Access settings from WPBakery Page Builder menu.

General Settings Configuration

Choose default editor mode (frontend or backend). Enable or disable features based on needs. Set user role permissions for multi-user sites.

Frontend editor provides visual real-time editing. Backend editor offers faster structural editing. Both editors have identical functionality.

Design Options Setup

Set global typography and color schemes here. These apply across all pages by default. Individual elements can override global settings.

Configure default spacing and margin values. Set responsive breakpoints for mobile devices. These settings improve consistency across your site.

Role Manager Configuration

Control which users can access WPBakery features. Restrict editor access to specific user roles. This prevents unauthorized design changes.

Frontend vs Backend Editor

This is WPBakery’s signature feature distinction. Both editors access identical 50+ elements. They produce exactly the same output.

Frontend Editor Features

Frontend editor shows real-time visual preview. You work directly on live page view. Changes appear instantly as you make them.

Color-coded elements help navigate complex layouts. Device switching shows mobile/tablet previews instantly. This editor is ideal for visual designers.

Some themes disable frontend editor by default. JavaScript compatibility issues cause this occasionally. Check theme documentation for enabling instructions.

Backend Editor Features

Backend editor presents a schematic grid-based interface. Elements display as organized blocks, not visuals. Collapsible rows manage complex layouts efficiently.

This editor performs faster with complex designs. More stable across different theme configurations. Developers often prefer this structured workflow.

Switching Between Editors

Click “Edit with WPBakery” for the frontend editor. Click “Backend Editor” for structural view. Switch anytime without losing work.

Both editors share all design options completely. CSS animations, responsive controls, and templates work identically. Choose based on current task preference.

How to Use the WPBakery Page Builder: Creating Your First Page

Based on our experience, first pages take 15-30 minutes. The learning curve is moderate for beginners.

Step 1: Create New Page in WordPress

Go to Pages → Add New in WordPress dashboard. Give your page a descriptive title first. Click “Backend Editor” or “Frontend Editor” button.

Step 2: Add Your First Row Structure

Click the “+” icon to open element panel. Select “Row” from Structure category first. Rows contain columns which hold all content elements.

Choose column layout (1 column, 2 columns, etc.). Rows can contain up to 6 columns. Column widths adjust easily after initial creation.

Step 3: Insert Content Elements

Click “+” icon inside any column. Browse through Content, Social, and Structure categories. Drag elements to desired positions.

Popular elements include Text Block, Image, Button. Video Player, Gallery, and Tabs are useful. Each element has extensive customization options.

Step 4: Customize Element Settings

Click pencil icon on any element. Configure text, colors, fonts, and spacing. Design Options tab controls advanced styling.

Preview changes before saving them. Use device icons to check mobile responsiveness. Make adjustments as needed for all screens.

Step 5: Save and Publish

Click “Update” or “Publish” to save work. Preview page before making it live. Test all links and interactive elements thoroughly.

Using WPBakery Templates Effectively

Templates provide professional starting points instantly. WPBakery includes 100+ pre-designed layouts.

Accessing Template Library

Click “Add Template” button in editor. Browse categories like Business, Portfolio, and Shop. Preview templates before applying them.

Templates are fully customizable after insertion. Replace placeholder content with your information. Adjust colors and fonts to match branding.

Creating Custom Templates

Design your perfect page layout first. Click “Save as Template” in editor. Name template for easy future reference.

Custom templates save time on similar pages. Reuse layouts across multiple pages consistently. Share templates between different website projects.

WPBakery for WooCommerce Stores

WPBakery offers 100% WooCommerce compatibility natively. You can design custom shop and product pages.

Building Shop Pages

WPBakery includes WooCommerce-specific elements built-in. Product grids, carousels, and categories work seamlessly. All WooCommerce shortcodes are available as elements.

Create custom shop layouts using grid elements. Add promotional banners and featured products easily. Cart and checkout pages are customizable too.

Designing Product Pages

Edit individual products with WPBakery editor. Customize product layouts beyond default templates. Add custom sections, reviews, and related products.

Some advanced features require specialized plugins. ShopLentor provides additional WooCommerce-specific widgets. These extend beyond basic WPBakery capabilities.

WooCommerce Page Builder Comparison

WPBakery works well for basic WooCommerce needs. Specialized plugins offer more advanced eCommerce features. Consider WooCommerce page builder plugins for complex stores.

ShopLentor includes AJAX filtering and quick view. It provides dynamic product page templates. These features enhance conversion rates significantly.

WPBakery Custom Elements and Add-ons

Over 250 premium add-ons extend WPBakery functionality. These add specialized elements beyond the default 50+.

Popular Add-on Categories

Ultimate Addons adds 50+ premium elements. Advanced animations, forms, and pricing tables included. This is the most popular WPBakery extension.

WC Builder focuses on WooCommerce elements specifically. 34+ custom shop and product elements available. Ideal for eCommerce-focused websites.

Icon elements packs add thousands of icons. Font Awesome 6 and custom icon libraries. Enhance visual appeal with professional graphics.

Creating Custom Elements

Developers can create custom elements using API. WPBakery provides comprehensive developer documentation. Custom elements integrate seamlessly with builder.

Shortcode Mapper converts any shortcode to an element. This makes third-party plugins compatible instantly. No coding required for basic mappings.

WPBakery Animation Effects and Styling

Animation effects make pages more engaging visually. WPBakery includes multiple animation options.

Adding CSS Animations

Select any element and open Design Options. Choose from fade, slide, zoom, and bounce. Set animation delay and duration timing.

Animations trigger when elements enter viewport. This creates dynamic scrolling experiences. Use animations sparingly for best effect.

Custom CSS Styling

Add custom CSS in element settings panel. Target specific elements with unique IDs. Global CSS goes in WPBakery settings.

CSS classes allow consistent styling across elements. Create reusable style definitions efficiently. This maintains design consistency throughout site.

Mobile Responsive Design with WPBakery

WPBakery is fully mobile responsive by default. All elements adapt to different screen sizes.

Device Preview Options

Click device icons to preview mobile layouts. Test on tablet and phone views instantly. Make adjustments specific to each screen size.

Hide elements on specific devices if needed. Responsive options appear in element settings. This optimizes mobile user experience.

Responsive Settings Best Practices

Test every page on actual mobile devices. Browser preview tools don’t always match reality. Real device testing catches display issues.

Adjust spacing and font sizes for mobile. Smaller screens need different proportions. Prioritize readability on all devices.

WPBakery Performance Optimization Tips

Page speed affects SEO rankings significantly in 2025. WPBakery performance is competitive with proper optimization.

Speed Optimization Techniques

Limit active add-ons to only necessary ones. Each add-on adds scripts and styles. Unnecessary add-ons slow page loading unnecessarily.

Optimize all images before uploading them. Keep file sizes under 100KB each. Use lazy loading for off-screen images.

Enable caching plugins for better performance. WP Rocket and W3 Total Cache work well. Caching dramatically reduces server load.

Minimize CSS and JavaScript files automatically. Autoptimize plugin handles this easily. Smaller files load faster on all connections.

Core Web Vitals for WPBakery

LCP should stay under 2.5 seconds. INP must remain under 200 milliseconds. CLS should be under 0.1 for best scores.

Specify image dimensions to prevent layout shifts. This is critical for CLS scores. Always set width and height attributes.

Use resource hints for critical assets. Preload important fonts and CSS files. Eliminate render-blocking resources when possible.

WPBakery in 2025: Strengths and Weaknesses

Based on our extensive testing across multiple projects. We’ve identified key advantages and limitations.

Strengths

• Broad theme compatibility with thousands of themes. Many premium themes bundle WPBakery included. This makes setup hassle-free for users.
• Rich ecosystem of add-ons and extensions. Over 250 premium add-ons available commercially. WPBakery custom elements expand capabilities significantly.
• Familiar interface is stable and intuitive. Users find drag-and-drop functionality straightforward. Dual editing modes suit different skill levels.
• WooCommerce support works well for basic stores. Native integration requires no additional plugins. Custom shop layouts are easily achievable.
• Lifetime licensing saves money long-term. No recurring subscription fees ever required. $69 one-time payment versus annual costs.

Weaknesses

• Shortcode lock-in creates vendor dependency issues. Deactivating leaves messy shortcodes on pages. Migration to other builders is extremely difficult.
• Slower performance compared to modern builders. Interface feels clunky versus newer alternatives. Editor loading times can be frustrating.
• Limited styling flexibility in default elements. Customization requires more CSS knowledge. Modern builders offer better visual controls.
• Support quality has declined significantly recently. Response times exceed one month typically. Trustpilot shows 1.6/5 star rating currently.

Best Practices for Using WPBakery (2025)

Follow these practices for optimal WPBakery experience. Based on industry standards and our testing.

Choose Compatible Themes

Select themes specifically built for WPBakery. Porto, The7, and Bridge are excellent choices. Compatible themes minimize conflicts and bugs.

Verify theme includes latest WPBakery version. Outdated bundled versions cause problems. Check theme documentation before purchasing.

Limit Add-on Usage

Install only necessary WPBakery page builder add-ons. Too many add-ons slow site significantly. Each add-on adds extra code overhead.

Review installed add-ons quarterly for necessity. Remove unused extensions to improve performance. Fewer add-ons mean faster page loads.

Maintain Regular Backups

Backup site before major WPBakery updates. Use UpdraftPlus or similar backup plugins. Save custom CSS code separately offline.

Export important templates regularly for safekeeping. This protects against accidental deletions. Templates are valuable time-saving assets.

Stay Updated

Check WPBakery changelog monthly for updates. Latest version is 8.7.2 (October 2025). Updates include performance improvements and fixes.

Read official WPBakery documentation regularly. New features and best practices are documented. Official knowledge base provides troubleshooting help.

Keep WordPress and PHP versions current always. Outdated environments cause compatibility issues. PHP 8.3 is fully supported now.

Common WPBakery Problems and Solutions

Users frequently encounter specific issues with WPBakery. Here are solutions based on our experience.

Problem: Shortcode Lock-in

Shortcodes appear when deactivating WPBakery plugin. This is the most serious limitation. Manual cleanup of every page is required.

Solution: Use “Classic Mode” to minimize shortcodes. Plan long-term before committing to WPBakery. Consider migration costs before starting projects.

Problem: Slow Page Speed

WPBakery adds scripts and styles to pages. Multiple elements increase code bloat significantly. Heavy themes compound performance issues.

Solution: Optimize images and enable caching plugins. Limit active add-ons to essential ones. Use lightweight hosting with good performance.

Problem: Editor Not Loading

Frontend editor shows a spinning icon indefinitely. Backend editor displays blank white screen. JavaScript conflicts cause loading failures.

Solution: Disable other plugins to identify conflicts. Clear browser cache and WordPress cache. Contact theme developer about WPBakery compatibility.

Problem: Mobile Layout Issues

Elements display incorrectly on mobile devices. Spacing and alignment problems occur frequently. Preview doesn’t match actual mobile display.

Solution: Test on real mobile devices always. Adjust responsive settings for each element. Hide problematic elements on mobile screens.

WPBakery vs Elementor: Which to Choose?

This comparison helps decide between popular builders. Both serve different user needs effectively.

Price Comparison

WPBakery costs $69 one-time payment forever. Elementor Free version exists with limitations. Elementor Pro costs $59-399 annually depending tier.

WPBakery offers lifetime value for single site. Elementor requires ongoing annual payments. Consider long-term costs carefully.

Feature Comparison

Elementor includes 90+ widgets versus WPBakery’s 50+ elements. Elementor has 300+ templates versus 100+. Elementor offers robust free version.

WPBakery provides dual editing modes. Works with any WordPress theme better. Better backward compatibility with older themes.

Elementor has modern intuitive interface. Theme builder capabilities for headers/footers included. More frequent feature updates currently.

Performance Comparison

Both builders perform similarly with optimization. Page speed depends heavily on hosting. Proper optimization is more important than builder.

Independent tests show competitive results. WPBakery sometimes matches or beats Elementor. Theme quality impacts performance more significantly.

Our Recommendation

Choose WPBakery if the theme already includes it. Lifetime licensing appeals for budget projects. Working with legacy sites already using it.

Choose Elementor for new projects starting fresh. Modern interface and frequent updates matter. Better long-term flexibility without shortcode lock-in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

WPBakery Page Builder remains a viable WordPress solution. It gives complete design freedom without coding requirements. The drag-and-drop WordPress builder simplifies website creation.

Whether customizing WPBakery page builder templates or building landing pages. The process feels smooth and intuitive overall. WPBakery’s WooCommerce compatibility makes product layouts flexible.

If you’re debating between WPBakery vs Elementor carefully. Remember, WPBakery offers power and simplicity blend. Custom elements and mobile-responsive design create stunning websites.

Who Should Use WPBakery?

Users working with WPBakery-bundled themes benefit most. Maintaining existing WPBakery sites makes sense. Lifetime licensing appeals for long-term budget planning.

Agencies managing multiple legacy sites need it. Designers preferring backend editing workflows appreciate it. WooCommerce store owners needing basic customization.

Who Should Choose Alternatives?

New websites starting from scratch in 2025. Users prioritizing cutting-edge features and modern UX. Performance-critical applications where Core Web Vitals matter. Projects requiring theme builder for headers/footers. Users wanting flexibility to change builders later. The shortcode lock-in makes switching prohibitively expensive.

Getting Started Today

Check if your theme includes WPBakery first. This saves $69 and provides automatic updates. Start with pre-built templates to learn interface.

Experiment with both frontend and backend editors. Choose based on current task and preference. Join WPBakery community for support and inspiration.

The best page builder is one you’ll actually use. Master WPBakery’s fundamentals through practice consistently. You’ll create professional WordPress sites with confidence.

Ready to start building with WPBakery Page Builder? Follow this guide step-by-step for best results. Your stunning WordPress website awaits creation!