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You are here: Home / WordPress / Page Builder plugin – my requirements

Page Builder plugin – my requirements

My requirements for a Page builder plugin.

Background

When constructing a blog post, page or other content I use a number of shortcodes and plugins to create content which I can style using custom CSS and which will automatically display responsively. I use oik-rwd to create dynamic responsive CSS and oik-css to override default styling. Since most of my shortcodes support a class= parameter which oik-rwd can detect and use to generate CSS I often don’t need much extra mark up to style my content on the front-end into multiple columns. Sometimes I have to resort to adding a couple of extra divs. I use [div] and [ediv] shortcodes to do this, with oik-rwd intercepting the class= parameter and generating the CSS as it does for the shortcodes that display dynamic content. But the solution is only a partial solution.
  • It’s not intuitively obvious how the result will appear.
  • CSS styling can still be a real pain.
  • Things can be easily messed up by human editors who don’t understand the shortcodes.
  • The dynamic CSS gets sent to the browser after the HTML, which can lead to reflow issues.
My primary requirement for a Page builder is
to reduce the pain to produce nicely formatted content, that looks good on any device.

My requirements for a Page builder plugin

I’m going to list my requirements in a number of tables listing the
Requirement
What it needs to do
My priority
How important it is to satisfy the requirement VH High Medium Low
Note
A brief note about the requirement or where you can find out more about it
The tables are: 1. My take on Pippin’s criteria. ie the requirements summarised in 13 Page builder plugins – a summary of Pippin’s critical review. 2. Functional requirements 3. Non-functional requirements

How I’d prioritise Pippin’s requirements

In xx I summarised Pippin Williamson’s criteria for a Page builder plugin. This table lists the same criteria with my ranking of the requirement.
RequirementMy priorityNote
Easy to use?HighIt has to be easier than my current solution using shortcodes and custom CSS
Nicely styledMediumSee Un-stylable
Front-end editorLowWhatever works
Visual/text/builder toggle?Medium
Embedded shortcodesVHAt the end of the day the result should be the same as if hand cranked.
Open / close shortcode compatible?High
Shortcode styles and scriptsVH
Compatible with ‘the_content’HighWe may need require additional filter functions to achieve the desired results.
All content retained after deactivationHigh
Lock-in effect (e.g. shortcodes)MediumI’m happy with reasonable shortcodes.
Features? Content & LayoutLow Content should be provided as extensions
Dependencies?LowDependencies should be clearly stated

Functional requirements

RequirementMy priorityNote
WYSIWYGMediumSee Responsive display
Drag and dropLowDepending on what building blocks are provided
Extendable/extensibleHighRun time first and build second
Un-stylableMediumIt should be possible to disable plugin optional styling
Layout buildingHigh
Content creationLowShould be able to put whatever you like into an area
Responsive displayVHNumber one requirement
Responsive editor/front-endMedium
Shortcode togglerLowConvert shortcodes to HTML snippets and vice-versa
CSS styling outside its remitMedium
Hover stylingHighAbility to control absolute and relative positioning of elements
I’d like to know what Keith Devon meant by this
SiteOrigin looks great but suffers the same, infinitely flexible ‘grid’ that isn’t a grid at all.

Non functional requirements

RequirementPriorityNote
Run time performanceVHAssumed
Supports user rolesLow
PriceMediumMust be cheaper than a developer
SupportHighConsidering the target market
Automatically testedMediumThe underlying implementation should be fully tested
Documented interfaceHighCode written to WordPress standards
SecuritytbcNo special requirements
A11Ytbc
I18Ntbc
L10Ntbc
Usable on an iPad?MediumDoes the plugin work when using Safari/Chrome on my iPad?
Further explanation of my requirements will have to wait until another time.
  • What requirements do you have for a Page builder?
  • Do you already have a site built with a Page builder and you want to change it?
  • How will you know when your requirements are satisfied?

References

ItemPurpose
[div]Start a stylable div
[ediv]End a stylable div
oik-rwddynamic CSS classes for RWD – Responsive Web Development
http://www.wpexplorer.com/best-builder-wordpress
13 Page builder plugins – a summary of Pippin’s critical review

Published: March 3, 2017 | Last updated: March 3, 2017

Filed Under: WordPress Tagged With: Page builder, requirements

Component:
Letters: P

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