I am a web developer, I focus on front end and I consider myself a pro with WordPress. However page builders are the pain of my existence. I hate them with all of my heart!
I get that non developers can use them for their drag and drop functionality but a web developer who knows how to write custom code annoys me when they turn to page builders! I don’t understand why they do! I take pride in my custom work. I love having control over my own code! Page builders take that away from any developer!
Don’t even get me started on clients who hire entry level cheap developers(at least they call themselves that) to develop a site in page builder and after the site is f\*\*ed up, they bring it to professionals and now I have to fix a crappy page builder. It really pains me deep inside! I swear sometimes the pain is physical
Is it just me? Do I have issues or am I justified?
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I’m 100% with you. We will die in a plume of downvotes.
My heart sinks when we have to do some alt on some edge case client’s site that’s built with a page builder.
ACF Builder and Twig is the way (for me anyway)
If it’s a DIY site sure go for it but if you’re a “developer” and you’re charging a client money and you use a page builder just understand you sir are a scammer
I’m wp developer with 10 years of experience and I fully agree, page builders are shite. They’re good for some hobbyists for nice simple blog/website. But for any serious company that’s no go.
One time I’ve got client who had Woocommerce shop build with Elementor!!! Nothing was working like was expected and “developer” who was hired wasn’t able to do some simple tasks like custom featured items or setup payment gate.
Sounds like your missing experience in the industry.
One size doesn’t fit all. Page builders have a time and a place and not all Page builders are created equally.
Sometimes they are required when clients need to be able to build out pages / content without a developer or they have a low budget. Not every client has the budget for a custom build.
You pick a solution that fits the needs and requirements of your client all while balancing budget.
Consider this, you’re a freelancer, your client wants you to do a brochure site to display their business, the site consists of 10-15 pages and the most complex feature of it, is a contact form.
Why should I bother writing custom code for this client when a page builder can get the job done in less time (and get me paid faster)?
Page builder-based builds can be garbage. Custom builds can also be garbage. I don’t have an issue with people using page builders, especially the higher quality ones vs. utter trash like Visual Composer. Some clients simply don’t have the budget or timeline for a fully custom build.
However, I do think it’s wrong if you sell a fully custom website and then spin it up in a page builder or by modifying an existing theme without making the client aware the approach you’re taking. Building a site in a page builder has ongoing implications so pawning that off as custom work is gross IMO. Also, I do have a problem with the people who use these tools who call themselves developers & cannot write code. Don’t get me wrong, excelling in these tools is a valid skill that has its place but if you can only configure settings in a theme or a builder, you are an advanced user, not a developer.