WPBakery Page Builder is one of the most powerful and widely used WordPress page builders that allows you to design stunning, responsive, and fully customizable websites without any coding knowledge. In this guide, we will walk you through installing, activating, and configuring WPBakery Page Builder step-by-step to ensure you can unleash its full potential for your website.
Understanding WPBakery Page Builder
Before diving into the installation process, it’s essential to know what WPBakery offers. It is a drag-and-drop visual page builder that comes with both Frontend and Backend editors, giving you full control over layout design. It includes:
Pre-designed templates for quick page creation.
Responsive design settings for mobile optimization.
Integration with themes and plugins for seamless customization.
Add-ons and widgets to enhance functionality.
Step 1: Check WPBakery Page Builder Requirements
Before installation, make sure your hosting environment meets these requirements:
WordPress version: 4.5 or higher
PHP version: 7.0 or higher
Memory limit: At least 128MB
A compatible WordPress theme (most premium themes support WPBakery)
Tip: If you are using a premium theme, WPBakery might already be bundled with it. You can activate it directly from your theme's installation package.
Step 2: Download WPBakery Page Builder
There are two ways to get WPBakery:
Bundled with a Theme – Many premium themes like Salient, The7, and Porto include WPBakery for free.
Purchase from CodeCanyon – Visit WPBakery Page Builder on CodeCanyon and download the latest version after purchasing.
Once downloaded, you will receive a .zip file containing the plugin.
Step 3: Install WPBakery Page Builder
Follow these steps to install WPBakery manually:
Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
Go to Plugins > Add New.
Click on Upload Plugin.
Select the WPBakery .zip file you downloaded.
Click Install Now.
Once installed, click Activate Plugin.
If WPBakery comes pre-installed with your theme, activation can be done via Appearance > Install Plugins.
Step 4: Activate Your WPBakery License
If you purchased WPBakery separately:
Navigate to WPBakery Page Builder > Product License.
Enter your license key (found in your CodeCanyon account).
Click Activate License to enable updates and support.
Step 5: Configure WPBakery Page Builder Settings
After activation, you must configure WPBakery to match your workflow.
General Settings
Go to WPBakery Page Builder > General Settings.
Choose Editor Role Access (Administrator, Editor, Author).
Enable Frontend Editor and Backend Editor for desired user roles.
Content Types
Enable WPBakery for Pages, Posts, and Custom Post Types.
Decide whether to replace the default WordPress editor.
Design Options
Set default margins, paddings, and font styles for consistency.
Upload custom CSS if you need advanced styling.
Step 6: Understanding WPBakery Interface
WPBakery has two main editing modes:
Backend Editor
Ideal for structured layouts.
Displays elements as blocks for easy reordering.
Frontend Editor
Real-time visual editing.
See changes instantly as you drag and drop elements.
Step 7: Creating Your First Page with WPBakery
Follow these steps to create a professional-looking page:
Go to Pages > Add New.
Select Backend Editor or Frontend Editor.
Click Add Element and choose from rows, columns, text blocks, buttons, sliders, image galleries, etc.
Use Row Settings to adjust background colors, images, and padding.
Save changes and preview the page.
Step 8: Using WPBakery Pre-Built Templates
WPBakery offers ready-to-use templates for faster page creation:
While editing, click on the Templates button.
Browse through the library and select a design.
Customize the text, images, and layout as needed.
Pro Tip: Save your own layouts as templates for future use.
Step 9: Extending WPBakery Functionality
To unlock more potential:
Install WPBakery Add-ons from the WordPress repository or CodeCanyon.
Popular add-ons include Ultimate Addons, Massive Addons, and Essential Grid.
These add-ons provide extra elements like pricing tables, countdown timers, and animations.
Step 10: Optimizing WPBakery for Performance
While WPBakery is feature-rich, it can affect page speed if not optimized:
Use caching plugins like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache.
Compress images using tools like Smush or ShortPixel.
Minimize animations for faster load times.
Keep WPBakery and WordPress updated to avoid compatibility issues.
Step 11: Troubleshooting WPBakery Issues
Common problems and solutions:
Editor not loading – Increase PHP memory limit in
wp-config.php.CSS not applying – Clear cache and re-save WPBakery settings.
Conflict with other plugins – Deactivate plugins one by one to find the cause.
Conclusion
Installing and configuring WPBakery Page Builder is straightforward when done step-by-step. Once set up, it becomes a powerful tool for creating stunning and responsive WordPress websites without touching a single line of code. By following these detailed instructions, you can maximize its potential and streamline your website design process.
