Establishing a compelling online presence through a website is paramount for businesses, entrepreneurs, and creatives alike. At the heart of this endeavor lies the choice of a reliable and versatile content management system (CMS). Among the myriad of options available, WordPress stands out as the most popular CMS globally, powering over 43% of all websites as of April 2025.
WordPress’s dominance can be attributed to its open-source nature, extensive plugin ecosystem, and a vast array of themes, offering unparalleled flexibility and customization. However, with this flexibility comes the challenge of selecting the right tools and methods to build your website effectively. From the native Gutenberg block editor to advanced page builders like Elementor and Divi, and even custom-coded solutions, the choices are abundant.
This blog is tailored for agencies, startups, marketers, business owners, and DIY enthusiasts seeking to navigate the WordPress ecosystem efficiently. We’ll delve into various website-building approaches within WordPress, discussing their advantages, drawbacks, required skill levels, and associated costs. Understanding the spectrum of available methods is crucial. Each approach offers varying degrees of flexibility, complexity, and control, catering to different user needs and technical proficiencies. Here’s an overview of the primary methods, ranging from the most straightforward to the most advanced:
Content Management Systems versus Visual Builders.
Before exploring the various methods of building a WordPress website, it’s essential to understand the foundational concepts that differentiate WordPress as a Content Management System (CMS) from the visual builders that enhance its functionality.
WordPress, at its core, is a CMS—a platform designed to manage and organize digital content. It provides a backend interface where users can create, edit, and publish content without needing to write code. This system separates content from design, allowing for flexibility and scalability in website development.
Visual builders, often referred to as page builders or visual composers, are tools that integrate with WordPress to offer a more intuitive, drag-and-drop interface for designing web pages. Unlike the traditional WordPress editor, which may require knowledge of HTML or CSS for advanced customization, visual builders enable users to construct complex layouts and designs visually, reducing the need for coding expertise.
These visual builders typically come in two forms: as standalone plugins or as part of a dedicated theme. Standalone plugins like Elementor or WPBakery Page Builder can be added to any WordPress theme, providing flexibility in design choices. On the other hand, some themes come bundled with their own built-in visual builders, offering a cohesive design and editing experience tailored to that specific theme.
Understanding the distinction between WordPress as a CMS and the role of visual builders is crucial. While WordPress manages the content and structure of your website, visual builders enhance the design process, making it more accessible for users without a technical background. This synergy allows for the creation of dynamic, visually appealing websites that are both functional and user-friendly.
As we delve deeper into the various WordPress website building methods, this foundational knowledge will provide clarity on how each tool and approach fits into the broader website development landscape.
An Overview of the Most Popular Building Methods
Gutenberg Block Editor
Introduced in WordPress 5.0, the Gutenberg Block Editor revolutionized content creation by replacing the classic editor with a block-based system. Each piece of content—be it a paragraph, image, or video—is treated as an individual block, allowing for more flexible and visual page layouts. This approach simplifies the editing process, enabling users to build complex layouts without delving into code.
Page Builders (Elementor, Divi, WPBakery, etc.)
For users seeking more design flexibility and advanced features, third-party page builders like Elementor, Divi, and WPBakery offer robust solutions. These tools provide intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces, extensive widget libraries, and pre-designed templates, facilitating the creation of visually appealing and highly customized websites. While they enhance design capabilities, they may introduce additional complexity and potential performance considerations.
Themes with Limited Builders
Some WordPress themes come equipped with built-in customization options or proprietary page builders. These themes offer a middle ground, providing more design flexibility than the default editor but less complexity than full-fledged page builders. They are suitable for users who desire a balance between ease of use and customization capabilities.
Full-Site Editing (FSE)
Full-Site Editing represents a significant advancement in WordPress’s evolution, enabling users to edit all parts of their website—including headers, footers, and sidebars—using blocks. This approach offers a unified editing experience and greater control over the site’s design and structure. However, it requires themes that support FSE and may involve a learning curve for those accustomed to traditional editing methods.
Custom-Coded Sites (Using Themes, Child Themes, ACF, etc.)
For projects demanding complete control and bespoke functionality, custom-coded solutions are the way to go. This approach involves developing custom themes or child themes and utilizing tools like Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) to create tailored content structures. While offering unparalleled flexibility and performance optimization, custom development necessitates a higher level of technical expertise and a greater investment of time and resources.
Each of these methods offers distinct advantages and trade-offs. The optimal choice depends on various factors, including the project’s complexity, desired level of customization, performance requirements, and the user’s technical proficiency. By understanding the nuances of each approach, you can make informed decisions that align with your website goals and capabilities.
III. Deep Dive into Each WordPress Website Building Method
A. Gutenberg Block Editor (Standard WordPress Editor)
Gutenberg is WordPress’s native block editor, introduced to replace the classic editor in an effort to modernize the platform and make content creation more visual and modular. Instead of a single large content box, Gutenberg allows users to build pages and posts by adding “blocks” for each type of content—headings, paragraphs, images, galleries, buttons, and more. These blocks can be arranged and customized, giving even beginner users a basic level of layout control without requiring coding knowledge.
One of Gutenberg’s biggest advantages is that it’s built directly into WordPress, meaning there’s no need to install an additional plugin. This makes it incredibly lightweight and fast compared to third-party page builders. Because it’s maintained by the WordPress core team, it also receives regular updates and broad compatibility across plugins and themes. Over time, an entire ecosystem of third-party block libraries has emerged—tools like Stackable and Kadence Blocks—that extend Gutenberg’s design capabilities significantly.
That said, Gutenberg has its limitations. While it’s great for simple websites, blog pages, and basic layouts, it can start to feel restrictive if you need complex multi-column layouts or dynamic visual features. The editor interface itself, while improving, can feel awkward when managing more intricate designs or nested content blocks. It’s also not always the easiest tool to use for clients or end-users with little web experience.
Pros:
- Lightweight and built into WordPress by default
- Doesn’t require additional plugins to get started
- Regularly updated and widely compatible
- Enhanced by third-party block libraries
Cons:
- Less flexibility than advanced page builders
- Can feel clunky with complex layouts or nested structures
Skills Needed: Basic WordPress familiarity
Cost: Free
B. Elementor
Elementor is one of the most popular third-party page builder plugins for WordPress, known for its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and real-time visual editing. Unlike Gutenberg, which still has some abstracted editing elements, Elementor allows you to see exactly what your site will look like as you build it. This makes it incredibly approachable for beginners and powerful enough for advanced designers who want more control.
One of Elementor’s standout features is its widget library. From image carousels and tabs to forms and countdown timers, it offers a wide range of building blocks to create complex, engaging pages. Its “Pro” version adds even more features including a Theme Builder, Popup Builder, WooCommerce support, and dynamic content integration.
However, Elementor has its trade-offs. Because of its large codebase and reliance on JavaScript, it can introduce bloat that affects site performance if not properly optimized. It also creates a reliance on the Elementor framework, meaning future migrations away from the builder can be messy or difficult. Additionally, without discipline and a design system in place, it’s easy for inexperienced users to create inconsistent layouts across a site.
Pros:
- Real-time visual editor for intuitive design
- Robust library of widgets and templates
- Theme and popup builder included in Pro
- Large and active user community
Cons:
- Can lead to slower page load speeds
- Locked into the Elementor ecosystem
- Risk of design inconsistency if unmanaged
Skills Needed: Beginner to intermediate
Cost: Various versions including a free version up to mult-website plans. Users can buy plans by month or for a full year. Paid plans range from $144 per year up to $396. Discounts are provided for the first year.
C. Divi (by Elegant Themes)
Divi is both a WordPress theme and a powerful visual page builder rolled into one. It’s known for its all-in-one approach to design, offering a massive library of pre-built layouts and a flexible visual editing experience that supports inline text editing and drag-and-drop layout customization.
One of Divi’s most attractive features is its lifetime pricing option, which sets it apart from most subscription-based tools. This is especially valuable for agencies or freelancers who plan to use Divi on multiple projects. The platform also supports global elements, which allow you to sync content and styles across multiple pages—a big win for maintaining brand consistency.
On the downside, Divi is heavily shortcode-dependent. If you ever want to switch to a different theme or builder, you’ll likely be left with pages full of shortcodes that require manual cleanup. Additionally, because of its heavy code and visual editing features, Divi sites may need performance optimization to maintain fast load times. While powerful, it may not be ideal for developers who prefer lean codebases and granular control.
Pros:
- Visual editing with inline text support
- Extensive template and layout library
- One of the only builders offering lifetime pricing
- Global design elements for consistency
Cons:
- Shortcode lock-in makes theme switching difficult
- Can be slow without performance optimization
Skills Needed: Beginner to intermediate
Cost: Various plans are available. Approximately $89/year or $279 for a lifetime license.
D. WPBakery Page Builder
Previously known as Visual Composer, WPBakery is one of the earliest page builders for WordPress and remains popular due to its wide compatibility—especially with premium themes sold on platforms like ThemeForest, where it is often bundled.
WPBakery allows for both front-end and back-end editing, which appeals to users who prefer a traditional structure-based workflow. It also supports a vast add-on ecosystem and custom shortcodes, making it highly flexible when combined with compatible themes.
That said, WPBakery hasn’t evolved at the same pace as newer builders like Elementor or Divi. Its interface can feel dated and unintuitive by today’s standards, and like Divi, it relies heavily on shortcodes, making migrations difficult. Additionally, its user experience and design controls aren’t as modern or smooth, which can make complex layouts feel cumbersome to manage.
Pros:
- Bundled with many popular themes
- Offers both front-end and back-end editing
- Supports many third-party add-ons
Cons:
- Dated user interface and workflow
- Heavy shortcode usage
- Less intuitive than newer builders
Skills Needed: Intermediate WordPress knowledge
Cost: Approximately $64 one-time license (if not bundled)
E. Full-Site Editing (FSE) with Block Themes
Full-Site Editing (FSE) is WordPress’s latest evolution in theme development and site design. Using block-based themes, FSE allows users to visually edit headers, footers, templates, and even dynamic content areas using the same Gutenberg block system used for posts and pages. This unifies the editing experience across the entire site and reduces reliance on external page builders.
FSE is designed to be lightweight and fast, taking advantage of native WordPress capabilities. It’s great for users who want to build lean, modern websites without relying on third-party plugins. However, it’s still relatively new, and the ecosystem around it—including plugins and themes—is still maturing. This means users may face limitations in available design tools or run into compatibility issues with older plugins.
FSE also demands a bit more familiarity with how WordPress themes work, making it less beginner-friendly than it first appears.
Pros:
- Complete site design control using blocks
- Native to WordPress, improving speed and stability
- Cleaner and more future-proof approach to theming
Cons:
- Limited theme and plugin compatibility at present
- May require a deeper understanding of WordPress structure
Skills Needed: Intermediate familiarity with blocks and templates
Cost: Free (as long as you use compatible themes)
F. Custom Development (Theme/Child Theme + ACF or Custom Code)
For those who want total control over the functionality, performance, and scalability of a WordPress site, custom development is the most advanced—and rewarding—approach. This method involves building a theme from scratch or extending an existing one using child themes, custom PHP templates, and tools like Advanced Custom Fields (ACF).
This method is ideal for developers or technical marketers who need highly tailored designs or complex data structures that go beyond what page builders can offer. By removing unnecessary code and plugins, developers can produce lightweight, fast-loading sites with high SEO potential and full control over markup.
The trade-off is complexity. Custom builds require proficiency in HTML, CSS, PHP, and often JavaScript. They also demand more time, planning, and long-term maintenance. But for agencies, high-traffic brands, or businesses with unique needs, this investment pays off with long-term flexibility and performance gains.
Pros:
- Total freedom over design and functionality
- Clean code and high performance
- No reliance on external builder plugins
- Best long-term option for scalability and SEO
Cons:
- High skill requirement
- Time-consuming to build and maintain
- Not easily manageable by non-technical users
Skills Needed: HTML, CSS, PHP, JS (and optionally Git, SCSS)
Cost: Developer time or budget; ACF Pro costs around $49/year if used
Conclusion
Choosing the right WordPress building method is crucial to the success of your website. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast, a growing startup, or an established business, aligning your site’s functionality with your goals is essential. Conway Marketing Group (CMG) specializes in guiding clients through this decision-making process, ensuring that the chosen approach—be it Gutenberg, a page builder like Elementor or Divi, or custom development—perfectly fits your brand, budget, and technical requirements. With CMG’s expertise in web design and management, you can confidently build a WordPress site that not only looks great but also performs effectively.
