I HATE page builders and rather hand code pages myself - what about you??

Much prefer hand coding! I only use Wordpress for clients who really want or need a CMS. Other than that it's all HTML and mostly Bootstrap. I have tried a couple of Bootstrap editors/builders, but still go back to handcoding.

Some of the drag and drop editors for Wordpress are ok, but there always seems to be a problem area with them that I end up sorting out for clients. Having said that, WordPress is ok as long as you always backup files and make it secure because the hackers love WordPress!

People tend to be confused about CMS themes/templates (ex: Wordpress), they're hand coded just like HTML pages.

When I code Wordpress themes I use Notepad++ as the editor and WAMP as the offline server.

Hi bigcat1967,

A tool is tool. It is the skill behind that tool that matters the most.

Having said that, you are definitely limited to what you can do when using a page building tool. Some of them are just terribly limited and not all that easy to use. However not all of them are that bad. If you focus on the best-in-breed page builder tools like Instapage, for example, you will quickly see the benefit.

Instapage has a drag-and-drop pixel precise page editor and allows for very rapid custom landing page design iteration and testing. Plus, Instapage is probably one of the very best page editors on the market, light years ahead of most competitors. While we don't use it exclusively in my agency, it is the tool all my designers prefer to use for custom landing pages, just way better than others for designing pages.

The Instapage "pixel precise" page editor is not only quick, easy and intuitive, it also allows for very precise control of all your elements. In addition it has built-in integration for many important marketing tools, including the essentials like Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel tracking and most importantly, Google Tag Manager. The premium version even includes the ability to clone an existing webpage, for example your clients' existing webpage, or even a competitor's website, and then modify the page to suit your needs.

Try doing that by hand coding from scratch, I will be finishing up my 50th website will you are still working on the first. As a professional web designer, time is money, as a professional marketer, time is money, as a business client, time is money. Try the best-in-breed tools before writing off the entire tool category. Just because you got your hands on some clunky cheap tool does not mean they are all so clumsy and restrictive.

The point is that different tools serve different purposes, if you are designing a high-end (high traffic) web app, you are going to be hand-coding pages because that is the best way to do it. If you are designing a simple low cost website for a business that wants to have the ability to update their content and post news, or blog, you are probably going to select Wordpress.

Don't get stuck thinking that there is only one way that all web pages should be designed. Use the right tool for the job, and learn how to use that tool well, or let someone else do the work. There are plenty of pros for hire that help you deliver the best product for your clients.

HTH,

Don Burk

I agree with Mr Burk. My company has been building websites for clients for a decade now. It really depends on the clients needs and business priorities. Sure coding may be easier for those of us who know how to code. But what about what is best for the business owner who just wants to maintain a low cost website and update some content from time to time? If they cant code, then they would need to hire a developer every time they want to make a simple update. Whereas , if the person building the site for them took the clients stated need to be able to easily update the site themselves from time to time.. then the developer adding some sort of easy site building tool for the client would be a big value to said clients, or at the very least discuss the pros and cons of adding said tool.