Okay does anyone have any advice (aside from don't use wordpress) for how to find templates and themes that aren't complete scams/hide 90% of their features behind a paywall? Or which site builder is the simplest to use?
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We use a page builder plugin called Beaver Builder at work and personally I really like it for building layouts. It's like, if Elementor was fast and the Block Editor didn't suck.
The base plugin is free, but there is a pro version, like most WP things :P
Anyways, for those wanting to know, this reddit thread includes a reply with some suggestions. There's a couple other options suggested but those are for folks with a certain amount of web building knowledge
Hey, I'm just wondering why you'd use a website builder over coding one from scratch. I suppose you lack the technical knowledge but also money to pay someone to do it?
I believe that a custom website tailored to your brand is superior, both visually and performance-wise. It's a key differentiator.
So. Using a website building means having a custom site while not having to pore over CSS books. It also means focusing more on design, since the functionality is already figured out.
I've actually had zero issue making a custom site with a different, but more expensive builder.
Also website builders tend to come with some sort of hosting, which most folks don't have, and I still don't have that set up. Additionally? It's still cheaper than paying someone to do it unfortunately.
So, assuming this is a good faith question, though I won't lie some of the wording feels..."this one method is superior and no other methods work", those are just some of the reasons.
Oh! Also some people need something in the immediate term, while they slowly learn CSS and whatnot longer term.
Perhaps superior applies to the wordpress websites that I have seen in my country. There are agencies that charge 400-500+ euros for a website that uses a template, and has basic technical issues or lacks some things.
I learned how to do websites from scratch many years ago using only html and css. I've also used Wordpress but that was long before the whole Al nonsense began, so I'm thinking look up html and css tutorials that don't include wp and Al and keep it as simple as possible. Now I'm tempted to research!
PS, I did find several free simple tutorials with templates for Wordpress back in the day, they might still be available. I'll see what I can find and post the links here later if successful.
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The base plugin is free, but there is a pro version, like most WP things :P
You can use it with pretty much any theme
Anyways, for those wanting to know, this reddit thread includes a reply with some suggestions. There's a couple other options suggested but those are for folks with a certain amount of web building knowledge
https://www.reddit.com/r/Wordpress/comments/1dpyj1o/best_free_theme_to_build_upon/
All of these are freemium, but I do like how this guy discusses them. Plus, it aids in knowing which of the popular templates are freemium.
I believe that a custom website tailored to your brand is superior, both visually and performance-wise. It's a key differentiator.
I've actually had zero issue making a custom site with a different, but more expensive builder.
Oh! Also some people need something in the immediate term, while they slowly learn CSS and whatnot longer term.
Perhaps superior applies to the wordpress websites that I have seen in my country. There are agencies that charge 400-500+ euros for a website that uses a template, and has basic technical issues or lacks some things.
And then there's branding + UX/UI that matters.
Everything on a website should have the brand as foundation, from text copy to colors.
And then you have strategies to make it "high converting" like they say.