Creating a custom WordPress theme requires a strong foundation, but not everyone is comfortable with coding. That’s where WPBakery Page Builder comes in—it allows you to design and develop a WordPress custom theme visually, using a drag-and-drop interface.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
✅ What WPBakery Page Builder is and why use it for custom themes
✅ Types of WordPress themes you can build with WPBakery
✅ Step-by-step guide to WordPress custom theme development using WPBakery
✅ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Whether you’re a developer, designer, or business owner, this guide will help you create a fully functional, professional WordPress theme using WPBakery Page Builder. Let’s dive in! 🚀
What is WPBakery Page Builder?
WPBakery Page Builder (formerly Visual Composer) is one of the most popular WordPress drag-and-drop page builders, allowing users to customize themes without coding.
Why Use WPBakery for Custom WordPress Theme Development?
✔ Drag-and-Drop Interface – Design visually with no coding skills.
✔ Front-End & Back-End Editing – Customize layouts in real-time.
✔ Pre-Designed Templates & Elements – Speeds up development.
✔ WooCommerce Compatibility – Create custom eCommerce pages.
✔ SEO & Mobile Optimization – Ensures responsiveness and performance.
With WPBakery, you can build fully custom WordPress themes with complete control over layouts, typography, colors, widgets, and dynamic content.
Types of WordPress Custom Themes You Can Build Using WPBakery
WPBakery Page Builder supports different types of WordPress themes tailored to specific industries and use cases.
1. Business & Corporate Themes
📌 Best for: Startups, agencies, consultants, enterprises.
✅ Custom homepage with services, testimonials, and contact forms.
✅ Integration with CRM & lead generation tools.
✅ WooCommerce support for selling services online.
🛠 Example WPBakery Compatible Themes: Avada, Bridge, The7
2. eCommerce (WooCommerce) Themes
📌 Best for: Online stores, dropshipping, marketplaces.
✅ Custom product, cart, and checkout pages.
✅ Customizable WooCommerce widgets and filters.
✅ Mobile-responsive and conversion-optimized layouts.
🛠 Example WPBakery Compatible Themes: Porto, Flatsome, Shopkeeper
3. Portfolio & Creative Themes
📌 Best for: Photographers, designers, freelancers.
✅ Custom gallery layouts with animations.
✅ Masonry grid, full-width, and parallax effects.
✅ Smooth scrolling and interactive elements.
🛠 Example WPBakery Compatible Themes: Kalium, Oshine, Salient
4. Blogging & News Themes
📌 Best for: Bloggers, news websites, magazines.
✅ SEO-friendly blog layouts.
✅ Advanced typography and readability features.
✅ Custom widgets for recent posts, categories, and social sharing.
🛠 Example WPBakery Compatible Themes: Newspaper, Newsmag, Soledad
5. Membership & Community Themes
📌 Best for: Membership sites, forums, online communities.
✅ Custom login/registration pages.
✅ Private content restrictions for members.
✅ BuddyPress and bbPress compatibility.
🛠 Example WPBakery Compatible Themes: Aardvark, KLEO, BuddyBoss
How to Develop a WordPress Custom Theme Using WPBakery
Now, let’s walk through the step-by-step process to create a custom WordPress theme using WPBakery Page Builder.
Step 1: Install WordPress and WPBakery Page Builder
1️⃣ Install WordPress on your hosting server.
2️⃣ Install a lightweight theme (e.g., Hello Theme, Astra, GeneratePress).
3️⃣ Install and activate WPBakery Page Builder.
Step 2: Configure WPBakery Page Builder
1️⃣ Navigate to WPBakery Settings → General Settings.
2️⃣ Enable Front-End and Back-End Editing.
3️⃣ Customize role manager settings to allow different user roles access to the builder.
Step 3: Create a Custom Header & Footer
WPBakery doesn’t natively support header and footer customization, but you can use third-party add-ons like Ultimate Addons for WPBakery or themes with built-in WPBakery header/footer builders.
Steps:
1️⃣ Go to WPBakery → Add New Template.
2️⃣ Choose Header Template and design it with logo, menu, and CTA buttons.
3️⃣ Apply the template site-wide.
4️⃣ Repeat for Footer Template.
Step 4: Design the Homepage
1️⃣ Go to Pages → Add New → Edit with WPBakery.
2️⃣ Drag and drop sections, columns, and widgets.
3️⃣ Add elements like sliders, testimonials, forms, and call-to-action buttons.
4️⃣ Customize the background, fonts, and colors.
Step 5: Customize Blog and Archive Pages
1️⃣ Create a new WPBakery Template for blog posts.
2️⃣ Design the layout using elements like post title, author, categories, and featured image.
3️⃣ Customize the blog archive page for categories and tags.
Step 6: Build WooCommerce Pages (If Applicable)
For online stores, use WPBakery’s WooCommerce Elements to customize:
✅ Product Pages – Add reviews, dynamic pricing, and custom layouts.
✅ Cart & Checkout – Improve user experience with conversion-optimized design.
✅ Shop Page – Filterable, grid-based product displays.
Step 7: Optimize for SEO & Performance
✅ Install Rank Math SEO or Yoast SEO for better rankings.
✅ Use WP Rocket for caching and speed improvements.
✅ Optimize images with Smush or ShortPixel.
✅ Enable lazy loading and minify CSS & JavaScript.
Step 8: Test & Launch Your Custom Theme
Before going live:
✔ Test responsiveness on mobile, tablet, and desktop.
✔ Check cross-browser compatibility.
✔ Optimize Core Web Vitals for speed.
✔ Launch your custom WordPress theme using WPBakery! 🚀
FAQs About WordPress Custom Theme Development Using WPBakery
1. Can I create a fully custom WordPress theme with WPBakery?
Yes, but WPBakery is primarily a page builder, so you may need additional plugins for full theme customization (e.g., headers, footers, post archives).
2. Is WPBakery Page Builder free?
No, WPBakery is a premium plugin with a one-time purchase fee. However, many premium WordPress themes include it for free.
3. What is the best theme to use with WPBakery?
- Bridge – Multipurpose & WPBakery-compatible.
- The7 – Includes full WPBakery integration.
- Porto – WooCommerce-focused and highly customizable.
4. Can WPBakery be used for eCommerce websites?
Yes! WPBakery fully supports WooCommerce, allowing you to create custom product pages, checkout pages, and shop layouts.
5. Is WPBakery better than Elementor?
Both are powerful. Elementor is more user-friendly, while WPBakery offers more flexibility for developers and theme builders.
Final Thoughts
WordPress custom theme development using WPBakery Page Builder is a great choice for businesses, developers, and designers who want to create professional, high-performance themes without coding.
By using WPBakery’s drag-and-drop builder, advanced customization options, and WooCommerce support, you can design a fully custom WordPress theme optimized for SEO, performance, and user experience.
🚀 Ready to build your WordPress custom theme? Start designing with WPBakery today! 🎯
