WordPress is changing. The introduction of the Block Editor (code-named, ‘Gutenberg’) in WordPress 5.0 completely changed the way we create and edit content in WordPress. Since it was first introduced in December of 2018, the editor has continued to evolve—often in ways that leave WordPress users scratching their heads.
At one time, the #1 reason people chose WordPress was because it was intuitive and easy to use. Those days are gone. These days, WordPress is becoming increasingly powerful and infinitely customizable. But all that flexibility has come at the expense of simplicity. And if you find it increasingly challenging to stay on top of all the changes in WordPress… you’re not alone.
That’s why many long-time users have changed the way they use WordPress. Today, most WordPress site owners choose a ‘starter’ theme and a page builder plugin that extends — or in some cases, completely replaces — the default block editor in WordPress.
”Stacks” are the new way to use WordPress.
One of the best examples of this is the incredibly popular Elementor page builder plugin, which works best with their starter theme, Hello. Or there’s GeneratePress and its companion GenerateBlocks plugin. Or the Kadence theme with the Kadence Blocks plugin.
Combining a starter theme with a block plugin can greatly enhance and improve the editing experience in WordPress. It makes WordPress easy to use once again. They add more useful blocks that are easier to customize. And because these products are less likely to change dramatically overnight, you’ll find the entire experience of creating content is much more stable.
Introducing Spectra — a different kind of page-builder.
Now there’s a new page builder in town. It’s called Spectra, and it just may become your new favorite way to use WordPress.
Spectra was created by the brilliant folks at Brainstorm Force, who also created Astra, which has become the most popular WordPress theme of all time. But one of the best things about Spectra is that it works with any theme.
Spectra enables you to build professional websites fast, even if you’re a complete beginner.
Works with the native WordPress editor.
That’s because, unlike other page builders, Spectra works with the default WordPress block editor. That means there’s no proprietary interface to learn. If you know how to use WordPress, you already know how to use Spectra. But it also means that if you change your theme down the road, your content won’t change. No more theme lock-in, or having to painstakingly rebuild all your pages should you decide to change your theme.
But Spectra goes far beyond the default WordPress blocks. Think of it as the WordPress editor… on steroids. It includes 25+ blocks you can use to quickly build websites without writing a single line of code.
And all of Spectra’s blocks are completely customizable, so you can get precisely the design you want. Even better, you can easily copy and paste styles from one block to another to save a tremendous amount of time.
Includes the largest library of pre-built professionally-designed templates, wireframes, and patterns you can import with a click.
Want to build an entire website in less than a minute? Spectra includes the largest library of pre-built websites you can install with just one click. So whether you want to build a blog, portfolio, business site, eCommerce, restaurant, or fitness site, Spectra has a gorgeous pre-built site for your niche… with more designs reelased every week.
Prefer to design your own website? No problem. Spectra also includes a library of professionally-designed wireframes and patterns you can import with one click, then customize to your heart’s content.
No matter how you like to work, Spectra is a smarter, more creative way to build WordPress websites in minutes, not days. With Spectra, you can design and launch your website fast… with no coding skills!
That’s why we’re thrilled to announce our newest course: Spectra 101
Introducing our newest course: Spectra 101
In Spectra 101, you’ll learn how to use Spectra to quickly create a professional WordPress website from scratch… without writing a single line of code.
By the end of this course, you’ll know:
- How to install and activate the Spectra page builder plugin.
- How to install and activate the free Astra theme.
- How to set global brand styles to save time and make future design updates a breeze.
- How to build a beautiful, modern home page in Spectra.
- How to use sections and containers to create complex layouts.
- How to recycle and reuse elements you’ve previously created.
- How to build an attention-getting hero header for your home page in Spectra.
- How to make your pages responsive so they look great on smaller screens like tablets and mobile devices.
- How to create a site-wide header and footer for your site in Spectra.
- Plus much more!
We partnered once again with expert WordPress educator, Dave Foy, to create this 14-part introduction to Spectra. You may recognize Dave from his Elementor 101 course on this site, or from his other popular WordPress courses, No Stress WordPress and No Fear Funnels. We’re thrilled that Dave has agreed to create this new course for you!
Includes a Free Spectra Sandbox Site!
It’s helpful to experiment and follow along with the video tutorials in Spectra 101. But you shouldn’t have to do that on your own live site. So, we include a private Spectra “sandbox” site you can use for up to 30 days while you take this course.
Best of all, Spectra 101 is free for WP101 members!
If you already have a WP101 membership, sign into your account, then visit the Spectra 101 course description page and click the large, green button that says, “Take This Course.”
Don’t have an All-Access Pass yet?
Purchase an All-Access Pass today and you’ll get this course, plus all of our future courses! In addition to WordPress basics, you’ll also learn how to sell products from your website, create custom forms, and much more. Get your All-Access Pass today!