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Page-builders - Divi and Elementor | Page builders - Divi en Elementor
Page-builders - Divi and Elementor | Page builders - Divi en Elementor

WordPress and page-builders such as Divi and Elementor

For building websites on behalf of clients, we often use WordPress together with page-builders, making it easy to prototype and develop modern, responsive websites. Within WordPress, managing content is made easy. However, with page-builders such as Divi and Elementor, you can easily and quickly design and build pages to match almost any design. And it’s also easy to make changes. You can read our experiences with these two page-builders in this blog.

Divi and Elementor page-builders

Divi and Elementor are both page-builders and share many similarities. However, they have different strengths and weaknesses. For instance, Divi offers many features that make it ideal for building websites in the back end. However, their front-end editing is less accomplished and relatively unstable compared to their back-end features. On the other hand, Elementor solely focuses on building sites in the front end – they offer no back-end tools. The following table provides several feature comparisons between Divi and Elementor:

 DiviElementor
PrijsUnlimited websites $89/year
Unlimited websites $249/one-time fee
1 website $49/year
25 websites $199/year
1000 websites $999/year
Gebruiksvriendelijkheid 5/55/5
Drag en drop builder5/54/5
Content modules90+46+
Community5/54,8/5
Support55
Theme supportWorks with any theme. (Best with Hello starter theme)Has its own theme and also works with other themes
Templates300+ Website templates
90+ Pre-made templates
100+ Website templates
800+ Pre-made templates

 

Looking at the prices, you’ll see that if you want to use a page-builder for a single site, Elementor is the cheapest option. For multiple websites, it would be cheaper to buy Divi, especially if you choose the lifetime licence. However, you may have to pay for some extra features with Divi. If you decide on Elementor, the price includes everything.

Our experience with Divi

We have been using Divi for several years and are very happy with the ease of building a website and the ability to implement customised codes and scripts. However, we prefer working with Divi in the back-end because the possibility of making wrong choices in the front-end is greater, and the interface is not as reliable.

Divi is a well-maintained theme, with regular updates adding new features and module options. Furthermore, you can easily add frequently used blocks (pages, sections, rows and modules) to the Divi Library. You can also use layout templates and assign them to pages based on page layout, name, categories and tags. While Divi is easy to use, there is much more to creating a website than just building a web page using the available modules as lego-blocks. For instance, you still need to prepare a consistent and user-friendly design (for desktop, tablet and mobile) and carefully consider the structure, navigation and content. And naturally, the website must also be built so that search engines can find the site easily. Moreover, you must ensure that the website delivers a good performance, as Google penalises slow sites. Divi generates a lot of code, so optimisation is nearly always necessary.

Divi offers so many options for styling modules, columns, rows and sections that a house-style rulebook is needed within the company so that every colleague knows where and what to adjust in the back-end.

Page-builders - Divi and Elementor | Page builders - Divi en Elementor

Our experience with Elementor

Patrick van Bennekom recently introduced Elementor within our company and has used it for several websites, including DilemmaMatch. So far, we have not experienced any problems. When using Elementor, you create websites using a so-called front-end visual editor. With their “drag and drop” page-builder, you drag design elements such as text blocks, images, and contact forms onto the current page and style them. You use the same interface to add more advanced components, such as sliders, tabs, Google Maps and a testimonial carousel. Once again, it is essential to have a good design in place before you start building the website pages. There are many options available for customising these elements to suit the design. Elementor has provided all the tools you need to make the websites responsive. Once you have built a web page for desktop with Elementor, you can switch to tablet or mobile at the touch of a button to make further adjustments to the page in the new layout so that it also looks good on all platforms. From our tests, Elementor creates smaller pages than Divi (i.e.: less code), giving it a slight advantage over Divi.

Page-builders - Divi and Elementor | Page builders - Divi en Elementor

Conclusion

Every designer will have their own preferences. Some enjoy building pages in the back-end because they feel they have more control over their code. Other colleagues prefer to work in the front-end because it allows them more control over the design, and any changes are immediately visible. Our designers can get on well with both page-builders, so they can choose on a project-per-project basis.

So if you are looking for a new website, contact us. We can help you choose the page-builder that is best for you.

Progressive Web Apps in EU undermined by Apple?

Progressive Web Apps in EU undermined by Apple?

If you aren’t familiar with mobile app development, you may not know that Apple has recently thrown a rather large spanner into the iOS ecosystem. Since the early betas of iOS 17.4 were made available, developers noted that so-called “Progressive Web Apps” (PWAs) were no longer functional in the EU. Our blog explains more.

The role of AI in Business Intelligence for multinationals

The role of AI in Business Intelligence for multinationals

BSL delivers Business Intelligence solutions to multinational organisations, integrating content from thousands of publications worldwide and delivering daily themed news alerts and briefings to business users. Recently, we’ve introduced AI technologies to these services, and our latest blog post highlights some of the benefits.

Whiteboards and the Canon of the Netherlands app

Whiteboards and the Canon of the Netherlands app

Recently, a digital whiteboard supplier called CTOUCH reached out to BSL, requesting permission to include the Canon of the Netherlands app in their store for use on their digital whiteboards in classrooms. We liked the idea and recently created a special version of our app designed specifically for the big screen.

Google Looker Studio: Making sense of big data

Google Looker Studio: Making sense of big data

In today’s fast-paced world, making quick and well-informed decisions is crucial. Google Looker Studio is a free tool that can give you a significant advantage. It can help you transform your vast amount of Analytics data into informative, easy-to-read dashboards and reports that are completely customizable.

Let BSL take care of your website maintenance updates

Let BSL take care of your website maintenance updates

We understand the importance of regular website maintenance updates for WordPress and Drupal. Hackers sometimes target popular open-source products, so keeping your CMS and any plugins up-to-date is essential. Trust BSL to keep your website up-to-date and secure while you focus on crafting persuasive content for your audience.

BSL Summer event on the water

BSL Summer event on the water

It was time for our annual summer event with the whole company. This year, Diana arranged a boat trip in a salon boat along the Vecht towards Loenen and Vreeland. After the boat trip, the summer event continued in the restaurant of Bistrotel ‘t Amsterdammertje, where everyone enjoyed a delicious dinner.

Adobe Firefly and Photoshop Beta with generative fill

Adobe Firefly and Photoshop Beta with generative fill

After the success of ChatGPT and Midjourney AI – both already in use at BSL – Adobe didn’t want to be left behind and made public their Beta releases of Adobe Firefly and Photoshop AI. With the arrival of the Adobe Betas, we’ve turned our attention to the new kids on the block, comparing them with Midjourney.

Midjourney prompts – Describing your perfect image

Midjourney prompts – Describing your perfect image

In an earlier blog, we introduced Midjourney as a tool we use within BSL when designing websites and banners for blogs. To direct Midjourney to create the image you have in mind, you need to write a prompt describing the image. This new blog discusses Midjourney prompts and some of the commands and parameters you can use.

Drupal 9 development using Tailwind CSS

Drupal 9 development using Tailwind CSS

Using Drupal, BSL has developed an extensive Intranet site to which we all have access. We’re developing a new version of the site, and in this blog, one of our developers talks about some of the tools we are using, including Twig templates, the Entity and Form APIs and Tailwind CSS.

Midjourney AI – Turning your ideas into images

Midjourney AI – Turning your ideas into images

Over the past few weeks, BSL has been exploring the many possibilities offered by Artificial Intelligence. This latest blog describes the use of Midjourney AI, a web service that generates images based on natural language descriptions (“prompts”). The results are impressive. Read our blog to find out more.

The benefits of long-term partnerships

The benefits of long-term partnerships

NBD Biblion offers personalised book and media title recommendations to schools and libraries, and supplies their clients with the titles they select. BSL has had a long-term partnership with NBD Biblion for more than twenty years, delivering development teams, technical advice, and support.

ChatGPT for business information analysis

ChatGPT for business information analysis

After the initial enthusiastic response to the introduction of ChatGPT and AI, attention switched to the unreliability of many ChatGPT answers. However, using Azure OpenAI (ChatGPT) and Cognitive Search with reliable data, we can deliver reliable, high-quality business information in response to natural language queries.

Browser engine wars – Part 2 – The impact of Apple’s iOS monopoly

Browser engine wars – Part 2 – The impact of Apple’s iOS monopoly

The Apple iOS monopoly means that every app on iOS – including browsers from Apple’s competitors – must use WebKit to display web content. While it’s not uncommon for browser developers to use a third-party engine, they can usually control which engine features they use in their browser and – if needed – add custom features.

Browser engine wars – Part 1 – How did we get here?

Browser engine wars – Part 1 – How did we get here?

The Register recently reported that Google is working on an iOS version of Chromium. A few days later, a second article claimed that Mozilla is working on an iOS version of Gecko, Firefox’s browser engine. Both reports suggest that the Apple browser engine on iOS, WebKit, is in danger of losing its monopoly.

Donation on behalf of earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria

Donation on behalf of earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria

On Monday, 6 February, several powerful earthquakes and aftershocks hit Turkey and Syria. This disaster affects as many as 23 million people, including many who are already in desperate need due to the conflict in Syria. If possible, please join us in making a donation on the Giro555 website.

2022 and the Bright Side of Life

2022 and the Bright Side of Life

Taking the time to reflect regularly on the things we are grateful for at the Bright Side can help shift our perspective to focus on the positive aspects of our work. So, here are the things for which I’m grateful in 2022.

SEO benefits, and the power of good-quality content

SEO benefits, and the power of good-quality content

Many business owners still think their websites are merely visiting cards. Their “go-to” expression is: “our clients/audience already know where to find us…”. This may be true, but optimizing your website will reach new clients and audiences.

New Keylane Careers website

New Keylane Careers website

Keylane asked BSL to help design and build a new Careers website. The main aim is to increase the number of visitors by improving the organic search performance. To achieve this, we’re introducing a new design and adding blogs.

Cloud provider migration: What are the benefits?

Cloud provider migration: What are the benefits?

The focus of Cloud computing is to improve the efficiency of IT services. By choosing a cloud-based solution, organisations can stay up-to-date with technology innovations and benefit from higher scalability, lower expenses, and enhanced security.

A new website for BoekWijzer

A new website for BoekWijzer

We’ve completely revamped the BoekWijzer website! The website was built to support the BoekWijzer app, the mobile guide to the world of Dutch literature. Using the app, you can quickly and easily stay up to date with the latest literary news.

New developer / web designer at BSL

New developer / web designer at BSL

If you have any questions about your website or web design in general, then Patrick van Bennekom is ready to help you five days a week at BSL. Patrick helps to design and create websites and apps for our customers, including the design of logos and house styles to deliver a professional end product.

Migrating to the Cloud, benefits and opportunities

Migrating to the Cloud, benefits and opportunities

Several of our clients are migrating to the Cloud, and some that aren’t yet ready for this step are reviewing their legacy systems, intending to migrate to the Cloud in the future. We’ve recently completed two migrations on behalf of multinationals, and our experience has taught us that a direct approach (simply redeploying existing databases and applications on virtual machines) is not always the best route…

Beleev: Controlled Multisensory Environments

Beleev: Controlled Multisensory Environments

Perhaps you have never heard of snoezelen, a Dutch term that describes controlled multisensory environments (MSE) that stimulate various senses within a custom environment – a so-called “Snoezel” room. On behalf of St. John the Baptist special education school in Kerkrade, we’ve created custom software to create and manage so-called “Snoezel” rooms, controlling, lights, audio, switches and a video projector.

Goodbye 2021 and COVID-19 lockdowns – It’s time to look back

Goodbye 2021 and COVID-19 lockdowns – It’s time to look back

So who, in early 2020, thought that we’d still be operating under COVID-19 lockdown measures in January 2022? Luckily, my skill set has given me a better understanding of software development and technology than catering or hospitality. As director of an IT company, I’m happy to say that Bright Side of Life has taken to remote working as a fish to water. Let me tell you about our year.

Canon of the Netherlands apps now available in stores

Canon of the Netherlands apps now available in stores

The Dutch Canon of the Netherlands (2007) tells the story of how the Netherlands was formed. Using the Canon, BSL developed the popular EnToen Nu apps for iOS and Android a few years later. In 2020, the Canon was extensively revised, so we’ve completely rewritten the Canon apps, bringing them up-to-date, making them faster and even more fun to use. They’re now available in the app stores.

Integrating powerful AI search capabilities within apps and web-services

Integrating powerful AI search capabilities within apps and web-services

Search technology is continually evolving, so we’re always ready to adopt new technologies to meet specific client needs. This blog outlines our recent experiences with Azure Cognitive Search and Cognitive Search AI services – classifying thousands of new documents each day, delivering customised briefings to subscribers. Using Machine Learning and AI we can create intelligent search prototypes in just a few weeks.

Canon of the Netherlands apps coming soon!

Canon of the Netherlands apps coming soon!

The Committee on the Development of the Dutch Canon developed the Canon of the Netherlands in 2007. BSL developed the EnToen app a few years later, and since its launch in 2013, it has been a top-rated school app. In 2020, a new Canon Committee updated the Canon. We’re now busy working on new Canon Apps, with a modern look, and using the latest technical know-how.

Drupal 9 replaces Drupal 8. Long live Drupal 7!

Drupal 9 replaces Drupal 8. Long live Drupal 7!

Drupal 9 arrived last year, and Drupal 8 is end-of-life in November 2021. Nothing strange about this. But did you know that Drupal 7’s life has been extended to November 2022? Due to the high number of active users, it will remain in use longer than Drupal 8! Nevertheless, if you’re still using Drupal 7, you’re drinking in the last chance saloon, and it’s time to plan your transition to Drupal 9.

BSL delivers a new Pulse importer using the Forrester API

BSL delivers a new Pulse importer using the Forrester API

We developed our “Pulse” Business Intelligence Software for PwC. It’s a global service, maintained and supported by BSL. Pulse imports thousands of documents daily from commercial content providers and website feeds, delivering personal briefings to PwC subscribers throughout the PwC organisation. At the request of PwC, we recently created a new importer for Forrester using their API.

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