Why you should avoid WordPress Page builders – Divi, WPBakery, Elementor

Australian businesses rely on their websites to attract customers and boost sales. But, many unknowingly harm their online presence with WordPress page builders like Divi, WPBakery, and Elementor.

These tools seem easy and flexible. But, they often cause big technical problems. Issues like performance issues and code bloat make website development and upkeep hard.

If you’re having trouble with your WordPress customisation, you’re not alone. Many businesses struggle, affecting their online success. At Defyn, we help businesses with digital solutions and handle technical issues for our clients. Contact us at hello@defyn.com.au for expert advice.

Key Takeaways

• WordPress page builders can introduce significant performance issues.
• Code bloat from these tools complicates website maintenance.
• Avoiding page builders can lead to better website development outcomes.
• Expert guidance is available for businesses struggling with WordPress customisation.
• Simplifying your website can improve user experience and sales.

The Rise of WordPress Page Builders in Australia

Australian businesses have found WordPress page builders to be a cost-effective way to build websites. This change shows how businesses want a strong online presence without needing to know a lot about tech.

WordPress page builders have become popular in Australia. This is because WordPress has grown from a simple blogging tool to a full Content Management System (CMS). Page builders help fill the gap between basic themes and complex custom sites.

How Page Builders Became Popular Among Australian Businesses

Several factors have led to the rise of page builders in Australia:

• Cost-effectiveness: Page builders are cheaper than custom development.
• Ease of use: Their drag-and-drop feature is easy for businesses without tech skills.
• Rapid deployment: Page builders let businesses quickly set up websites.

Studies show that page builder use in Australia has grown, just like worldwide. This growth is mainly among small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The Promise vs. Reality of Drag-and-Drop Simplicity

Page builders first attract businesses with their promise of being easy to use. But, as businesses grow, they often find the drag-and-drop interface too limited:

1. Limitations in design flexibility: The interface can’t keep up with growing design needs.
2. Performance issues: Some page builders can slow down websites due to bloat.
3. Maintenance challenges: Keeping the site updated and customized can become hard.

These issues show the gap between what page builders promise and what they actually deliver in the long run.

Why You Should Avoid Page Builders: The Hidden Costs

Page builders seem easy to use but hide many problems. They can slow down your site and hurt your SEO. This can harm your business’s success in the long run.

Performance Issues and Site Speed

Page builders can make your site slow. They add lots of JavaScript and CSS files. This can really slow down your site.

Impact on User Experience

A slow site hurts user experience. A one-second delay can drop conversions by 7%. For Australian businesses, this means lost sales. Fast sites are key to staying ahead online.

Mobile Performance Concerns

Most web traffic in Australia comes from mobiles. Page builders often don’t work well on these devices. This leads to high bounce rates and lost chances. Making your site mobile-friendly is now essential.

Code Bloat and Technical Debt

Page builders create a lot of unnecessary code. This slows your site and builds technical debt. Even simple things can add hundreds of lines of code, making your site hard to manage.

SEO Limitations and Search Ranking Problems

The slow sites and code bloat from page builders hurt SEO. Google favors fast, easy-to-use sites. Good SEO is vital, and page builders can make it hard.

Maintenance Nightmares for Business Owners

Page builders make site updates a hassle. They can cause compatibility issues and make changes hard. For businesses that need to grow or change quickly, this is a big problem.

If page builders are causing you trouble, we can help. Contact us at hello@defyn.com.au for advice on improving your site’s performance, SEO, and ease of maintenance.

Case Study: Divi Builder Problems for an Australian E-commerce Site

An Australian e-commerce site faced challenges with Divi Builder. They found it hard to use and decided to switch. The site sold outdoor gear and apparel to adventure-seekers across Australia.

Client Background and Initial Setup

The client picked Divi Builder for its good looks and flexibility. They had over 1,000 products and needed a site that could handle complex layouts. But, as their business grew, so did the problems with Divi Builder.

Performance Metrics Before and After Removing Divi

Before ditching Divi, the site was slow and had bad SEO rankings. Here’s how it changed after the switch:

Removing Divi made a big difference in the site’s performance.

Revenue Impact of Improved Site Speed

The site’s speed boost helped the client’s sales. They saw a 25% increase in conversion rates and a 15% increase in average order value. Overall, their revenue jumped by 20% in six months after ditching Divi. By choosing a faster, seo-friendly website, they improved their search rankings and sales.

Switching from Divi Builder made the site faster and more efficient. It better served customers and helped the business grow.

Case Study: WPBakery Limitations for a Professional Services Firm

A professional services firm in Australia faced big problems with WPBakery. They were drawn in by its promise of easy drag-and-drop features. But soon, they hit roadblocks with customisation and compatibility issues.

Client Challenges with WPBakery Customisation

The firm, a legal consultancy, needed a website that showed off their brand and met client needs. But WPBakery’s strict setup made it hard to add certain design elements. Simple requests became big headaches, wasting time and money.

They had trouble with:

• Not being able to easily manage custom post types
• Having trouble with responsive design, like for data tables
• Struggling to make built-in elements fit their brand’s look

Compatibility Issues with Essential Business Plugins

The firm also had big problems with plugins. They had issues with WP Forms and WP Document Library. These problems led to:

The Cost of Workarounds and Fixes

These problems cost the firm a lot of money. They had to pay extra for developers to fix things. The total cost was:

• Additional developer costs: $8,000
• Lost productivity: $3,000
• Missed chances for new features: $5,000

The total cost was $16,000. This could have been avoided with better web development tools and design.

Case Study: Elementor Pitfalls for a Melbourne Restaurant Chain

A Melbourne restaurant chain chose Elementor for its drag-and-drop ease. But, they soon hit roadblocks that hurt their business. Elementor’s rich features were great for interactive menus and maps. Yet, as their site grew, it started to slow down.

Initial Attraction to Elementor’s Features

The restaurant was drawn to Elementor’s big template library and easy use. They made a site that looked good and was easy to update. This was a big plus, as they could change menus and deals without coding.

Performance and Loading Time Issues

As the site grew, it took longer to load, mainly on phones. This was a big problem, as many customers used phones to check menus and book. Slow loading times led to fewer customers staying on the site.

Update Disasters and Recovery Process

A big Elementor update clashed with other plugins, causing site downtime. Fixing it was hard and took a lot of time. This showed how important it is to test updates well and have a good plan for fixing problems.

In the end, Elementor’s benefits didn’t last for the Melbourne restaurant chain. They faced ongoing issues with site speed and upkeep. This case study teaches us to think carefully before choosing website tools, as they’re key for business success online.

The True Cost of Page Builders for Australian Businesses

For Australian businesses, knowing the real cost of page builders is key. Tools like Divi, WPBakery, and Elementor seem handy at first. But their long-term expenses can really add up.

Financial Impact Analysis Over Website Lifecycle

Page builders’ costs don’t stop after you build your site. Australian businesses face:

• Ongoing maintenance and update expenses
• Performance optimization costs
• Eventual redesign or rebuild requirements

These expenses can quickly exceed the initial savings. A HTTP Archive study shows pages built with page builders load slower. This means more money spent on making them faster.

Time Investment Reality for Business Owners

Page builders aim to save time but often take more. Australian business owners spend time on:

1. Learning the intricacies of the page builder
2. Troubleshooting compatibility issues
3. Managing the website’s performance

This time could be used for more important business tasks. Choosing different website development methods can save time.

Opportunity Cost in the Competitive Australian Market

In Australia’s competitive market, a slow website can cost you. Page builders might not meet fast, responsive site demands. Optimizing your website can boost your search rankings and organic traffic.

Struggling with WordPress customization? We can assist. Reach out at hello@defyn.com.au for expert advice on website development.

Better Alternatives to Avoid Page Builders Entirely

Australian businesses can get better websites by avoiding page builders. We’ve seen the problems with using tools like Divi, WPBakery, and Elementor. It’s time to look at better options for lasting success.

Custom WordPress Development Benefits

Custom WordPress sites have big advantages over page builders. They are made just for your business, with themes and features that fit your needs.

Performance Advantages

Custom WordPress sites are faster than page builder sites. They are built for your business, so they load up to 50% faster. This is because they don’t have extra code or features.

Long-term Maintainability

Custom WordPress sites are also easier to keep up with over time. You can update and change your site as needed. This makes your site easier to manage and keeps it running smoothly.

Block Editor (Gutenberg) Approach for Content Managers

The Block Editor, or Gutenberg, is a better way to manage content. It’s light and easy to use, letting content managers work efficiently. With blocks, you can make complex layouts without the hassle of page builders.

Lightweight Theme Frameworks for Australian Businesses

For a simple solution, try lightweight theme frameworks. Themes like GeneratePress and Astra are fast, secure, and easy to use. They give you a solid base for your website without extra features.

Headless WordPress Solutions for Complex Projects

For complex projects, headless WordPress is a great choice. It separates the front-end and back-end, letting you use WordPress for content and modern frameworks for the user experience. This is perfect for projects that need a lot of customization and growth.

How to Transition Away from Page Builders Successfully

Switching from page builders like Divi, WPBakery, and Elementor needs careful planning. It’s important to know the steps for a smooth transition. This helps businesses move past the limits of these tools.

Assessment and Planning Your Migration

Start by checking your current website thoroughly. Look at what’s important for your business. Make a list of questions to help you plan, like:

• What are the core features and functionalities of our current website?
• What content needs to be migrated, and what can be updated or removed?
• What are our business objectives for the new website, and how will we measure success?

Answering these questions helps set clear goals for your new website. This ensures it meets your business needs.

Step-by-Step Transition Strategies

There are different ways to move away from page builders. You can do it gradually, page by page, or start fresh with a complete rebuild. Each method has its own benefits and challenges.

Choosing the right method depends on your business goals, time frame, and budget.

Working with Professional Australian WordPress Developers

Working with skilled Australian WordPress developers is key for a smooth transition. Look for someone with experience in custom WordPress development. They should also understand the Australian market and meet your specific needs.

If you’re having trouble with WordPress, reach out to us at hello@defyn.com.au for help.

Our WordPress Customisation Services for Australian Businesses

Our team is all about creating custom WordPress solutions for Australian businesses. We know page builders have their limits. We aim to help businesses move to better, faster websites.

How We Help Businesses Move Beyond Page Builders

We’re experts at moving sites from Divi, WPBakery, and Elementor to custom WordPress. Our team gets the tech and business sides of this move. We work with businesses to find what they need and make it happen.

Our Development Process and Approach

Our development is a team effort, from start to finish. We talk, plan, build, test, and support. We make sure our tech meets your business goals. Our goal is to make your WordPress site a success.

Contact Us for WordPress Customisation Help

Having trouble with WordPress or your current developer? We can help. Reach out at hello@defyn.com.au for expert advice and support.

Conclusion: Building a Sustainable, High-Performance WordPress Website

Page builders like Divi, WPBakery, and Elementor can cause big problems. They lead to slow websites, maintenance headaches, and extra costs. But, choosing custom WordPress development can make your site faster, better for users, and rank higher in search results.

A responsive web design is key for staying ahead in Australia. Custom WordPress lets you create a site that looks great and works well. This makes users happy and saves money in the long run.

Switching from page builders takes some effort and planning at first. But, the benefits are huge and clear. With WordPress’s full power, businesses get a site that’s easy to change, grow, and keep up.

Smart choices about website tech put business owners in charge of their online space. We help businesses with digital solutions, handling the tech stuff. This lets them focus on growing their business.