Is GenerateBlocks Pro Worth Your Penny? (A Comprehensive Review To Help You Decide If It’s The Right Page Builder For You)

GenerateBlocks was first introduced way back in February 2020 by the same creator behind the well-received GeneratePress WordPress theme.

Fast forward a year, and they brought even more options to the table by launching its premium version, GenerateBlocks Pro.

And I’ve been using the premium version of the plugin for quite some time now, so needless to say there’s a lot of features and functions that need to be covered.

So, if you’re scratching your head and have burning questions about how this WordPress block editor works, the possibilities it offers, and who would benefit from it, don’t worry because I’ve got your back.

Without further ado, let’s dive right in!

First of all, what’s GenerateBlocks?

A screenshot taken from GenerateBlock Pro's website.

In a nutshell, GenerateBlocks is a handy WordPress plugin that shares some similarities with a page builder as it lets you easily add various blocks to your pages, making it a fantastic tool for crafting your website.

However, it’s not just your average page builder. 

Unlike standalone page builders, GenerateBlocks seamlessly integrates into the familiar WordPress environment (and if you’re already using WordPress for your website, all the better!)

The standard four blocks can be effortlessly added and customized right from the Gutenberg Editor.

It’s a fantastic option if you prefer sticking to the vanilla WordPress Editor and want to avoid cluttering your site with multiple plugins and page builders.

What’s even better is that you don’t necessarily need to use it alongside the GeneratePress theme. 

While they do work together seamlessly, you’ll only really notice the difference if you reach out for support, as you’ll get assistance from both teams.

That being said, GenerateBlocks pairs nice with any WordPress theme, giving you the flexibility to use it with any design of your choice.

A quick rundown of GenerateBlocks’s key features

You may be asking, “what makes this plugin so popular with its users?”

Well, several things really, but here’s a simple list of the more stand-out reasons as to why GenerateBlocks is as favored as it is:

  • It’s Super Easy To Use: The interface is a breeze to navigate through, even for beginners! Unlike some other page builders, you don’t need to learn a new UI because GenerateBlocks already integrates itself into WordPress, so you can just jump right in and start designing.
  • It Doesn’t Depend On Code: You can say goodbye to complex coding languages with this one because GenerateBlocks is (thankfully) not at all code dependent, unlike a lot of other page builders on the internet. With this plug in, simply drag and drop elements onto your canvas and watch your vision come to life, no coding required.
  • It Uses Modern Flexbox Grids: Say hello to sleek, responsive layouts with GenerateBlocks’ modern flexbox grid system. Whether your visitors are browsing on a desktop, tablet, or mobile device, your website will look and feel great as it will function flawlessly across all screen sizes.

What’s the difference between the free and pro version?

At a glance, the free version of the plugin is much more lightweight compared to its feature-dense, premium counterpart. 

And although the free GenerateBlocks only offers 6 additional blocks for the Gutenberg editor, don’t let this small number fool you.

These blocks can still pack a punch in terms of customization options for your website.

The six blocks (grid, container, headline, button, image and query loop) may not be overly complex, but they offer depth and versatility and provide a lot of opportunities to tailor your site to your liking without messing up the backend.

Though, creating visually appealing designs on the frontend may require a bit more effort.

This is partly because the system may feel unconventional, especially if you’re used to traditional page builders. 

Additionally, achieving depth in your designs often requires additional work on your part.

While the free version of GenerateBlocks offers a solid foundation for website design, the premium version, GenerateBlocks Pro, presents additional features and functionality to further enhance the user experience. 

With access to a wider range of blocks, advanced customization options, and a template library, GenerateBlocks Pro provides users with even greater flexibility and creativity in crafting their websites. 

So whether you’re a beginner looking to create a simple yet professional website or a experienced designer seeking for advanced customization features, GenerateBlocks has options to suit your every need.

GenerateBlock’s free version preview

1. Container block

This acts as a versatile wrapper for your content, allowing you to group elements together and control their layout. 

With options to adjust margins, padding, background colors, and more, the container block gives you the flexibility to design cohesive sections of your webpage.

2. grid block

This block is perfect for organizing content into neat, responsive grids. 

Whether you’re showcasing a portfolio or listing product features, the grid block makes it easy to arrange your content in a visually pleasing manner. 

Plus, with options to customize column widths and alignments, you can achieve the perfect layout that aligns with your vision.

3. headline block 

The headline block is your go-to tool for grabbing attention and communicating important messages. 

With customizable font styles, sizes, colors, and alignments, the headline block empowers you to create eye-catching headers and titles that captivate your audience and encourage them to click on your page.

4. Buttons block

Last but not least, buttons are essential for driving action on your website, whether it’s prompting visitors to sign up for a newsletter or exploring your product offerings. 

With the buttons block, you can easily create stylish buttons that match your site’s aesthetic and encourage users to engage with your content.

5. Images Block

GenerateBlocks’ image block is another great feature that provides users with the avenue to customize and personalize images to fit their websites’ themes.

For the free version, the image block offers options like padding, margins, borders, border radius, dynamic data, and settings like image object-fit properties.

6. Query Loop Block

This is probably one of, if not the most used feature that bloggers and web designers use when developing their websites.

Essentially, this block allows users to display other related posts from your website based on specific guidelines and parameters that you set.

This is particularly useful if you want to include a Related Posts section with the same tag as the post you’re currently working on, a Latest Posts section for your most recent outputs, an archive page, and a whole lot more!

And here’s a pro tip, make sure that you insert your query loop block inside of a container block (basically making it a block in a block) so that you have more styling and spacing options to work with.

GenerateBlock Pro’s features and functions

As I’ve mentioned previously, the premium version of GenerateBlocks is much more feature-packed, so it’s understandable if it can get a bit overwhelming at first.

So, let’s unpack each and every single one and lay it all on the table.

1. Pattern library

One of the main (and best) perks of going pro is that it offers a “Template Library” block that contains over 200 professional patterns to choose from, which you can add into your own website and customize it to however fits your brand’s aesthetic best.

You can even select templates from different categories like CTAs, content, info boxes, buttons, and so much more!

With so many options available, there’s no need to start from scratch when designing your website.

This handy feature not only saves you time but also ensures that your website looks polished and professional without all the hassle.

2. global styles and local templates

Aside from just setting up and inserting blocks, GenerateBlocks also simplifies the process of reusing templates.

The global styles feature comes in handy when you want to customize the style of an already existing block across your site. 

Instead of manually tweaking each block, you can create a global style and apply it all across your page. 

Simply head to GenerateBlocks and click onGlobal Styles to create a new style, customize it to your liking, and give it a name of your choice. 

Then, when inserting the block into your page or post, enable the “Use Global Style” slider and select the style you’ve created. 

This ensures that all your custom styles are instantly applied to the block.

This feature will seriously save you a ton of time, especially when you need to customize multiple blocks with additional styles. 

And, you can even apply different styles for desktop and mobile, giving you maximum flexibility.

Additionally, similar to creating reusable blocks in Gutenberg, local templates offer another great time-saving option. 

Just navigate to “Local Templates” and create your custom template using any blocks available. 

You can even assign a featured image to easily identify it when inserting from the editor. 

Once your template is created, you can insert it into any page using the “Template Library Block.” 

Just select your template from the “Local Template” tab, and you’re good to go!

3. Tabs

As its name implies, the tabs block lets you organize your content into neat tabs, making it easy for users to navigate through different sections.

With GenerateBlocks, you have the flexibility to choose from horizontal, vertical, or button tabs, allowing you to customize the layout to fit your website’s design and aesthetic.

For instance, you can showcase annual and lifetime pricing options for a product/service or categorize blog posts by topic, making it convenient for users to browse through relevant content.

So whether you’re creating a pricing table to display different pricing options or organizing blog posts by category, the Tabs block offers versatility for various content elements.

4. Accordions

This feature enables you to easily create straightforward accordions, perfect for FAQ sections or anywhere else you want to provide users with the option to expand and read through more of your content.

GenerateBlocks Pro allows you to customize the characteristics of the Accordion block, such as the titles, open parts, and containers.

By doing so, it allows you to customize the accordion to perfectly complement your website’s style and operational needs.

5. advanced backgrounds

So here’s the thing, the free version of GenerateBlocks also allows you to customize the background of your webpage.

However, with the Pro version, you gain access to so much more additional functionalities, such as the ability to incorporate images or create gradient backgrounds.

While background editing may not seem particularly flashy in GenerateBlocks, it still remains an essential aspect of webpage customization.

Despite its simplicity, this feature aligns with GenerateBlocks’ minimalist philosophy towards web development, prioritizing ease of use and functionality for users.

6. container links

If you’re looking to draw attention to special offers or encourage action from your visitors, you can easily add links to your containers in GenerateBlocks Pro.

And the best part is that adding links is pretty straightforward, just look for the hyperlink icon conveniently located above each container.

From there, you can customize the appearance of the links using either global styles or your WordPress theme settings.

This feature offers a seamless way to incorporate call-to-action elements into your website design, which allows you to guide visitors towards specific actions or offers with ease.

7. device visibility 

In the free version of GenerateBlocks, users have the convenient ability to preview their webpage’s appearance on mobile devices and tablets, ensuring responsiveness across various screen sizes.

Though, GenerateBlocks Pro enhances this feature even more by allowing users to selectively hide individual blocks on specific devices, such as tablets or mobile phones.

Accessed through the “Advanced” tab on the right sidebar, this feature allows users to customize their website’s layout for optimal viewing on different devices, and ultimately, improving the browsing experience for visitors.

Despite being restricted behind a paywall, the Pro version provides users with valuable tools for fine-tuning the appearance and responsiveness of their website.

By getting rid of the frustration of manually adjusting designs that don’t translate well on certain devices, GenerateBlocks Pro offers a more seamless editing experience, catering to users who prioritize responsive design and user experience.

block customization

The block customization feature in GenerateBlocks Pro is essential for effective page building because it offers users exceptional control over the appearance and style of the elements of their website.

So, let’s break down why each aspect of block customization is important overall:

  • Typography: Users can choose fonts, font sizes, line heights, and letter spacing to ensure that text elements on their website align with their brand’s identity and enhance readability.
The different typography features.
  • Spacing: Adjusting spacing gives users control of the distance between elements, which establishes a visually appealing layout and improving the overall flow and organization of content on the page.
Features that are for spacing like borders and border radius adjustment.
  • Colors & Backgrounds: Customizing colors allows users to match their website’s color palette scheme to their brand, which creates a cohesive and visually pleasing design that resonates with their target audience. Additionally, users can also customize backgrounds to add depth and visual interest to their website, whether it’s through solid colors, gradients, or images.
Features for color customization, which could either be solid or gradient.
  • Effects: With effects such as shadows, borders, and hover effects, users can add a layer of interactivity and sophistication to their website, making it more engaging and memorable for visitors.
The effects feature drop box showing different ways you can customize an image.
  • Documentation: Access to comprehensive documentation ensures that users can make the most of the block customization feature, which provides guidance and support for achieving their desired design outcomes.
The documentation drop box in case you need help with moving further with your selected block.
  • Advanced: For users looking for even greater customization options, the advanced settings offer additional features and controls to fine-tune every aspect of their website’s design, catering to the needs of experienced designers and developers.
The drop down menu for the advanced features.

How much does it cost?

GenerateBlocks Pro prices.

Ah yes, the make or break of whether or not most people are sold on the product that they want.

Luckily, GenerateBlocks Pro falls along the mid-level range of prices and offers affordable options tailored to different user needs.

Here’s a summary of their pricing scheme:

For just $59 per year, you can gain access to all the features and functionalities discussed today (and more).

The only caveat is that the personal plan limits you to installing the plugin on one site only.

(One website isn’t a lot, and with the additional $20 price increase from the previous 39 dollar offer, you’re honestly better off getting the other two plans for the best of your wallet)

If you find yourself needing GenerateBlocks for multiple sites, the Plus tier is available for $69 per year, which allows installation on up to 10 websites.

And lastly, if you have a group of web developers working with clients or just simply want to go all out, there’s the $99 per year option, granting access to the block editor for a generous 250 sites.

Unfortunately, GenerateBlocks Pro doesn’t offer a free trial, but you can still get around this by exploring its capabilities with the free version.

And once you do decided to go pro, upgrading to the paid version seamlessly enhances your already existing plugin, which eliminates any hassle during the transition process.

Plus, all three tiers come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can always just give it a shot to see if it’s right for you.

Lastly, there are a couple of different payment options for you to choose from like Paypal, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express, making it convenient for users to select their preferred payment method.

What’s their support center looking like?

GenerateBlocks offers support options for both its free and paid versions, ensuring users have assistance readily available whenever they need it.

GenerateBlock Pro help and support on their header.

For users of the GenerateBlocks Pro version, dedicated support is available on the official website.

A fullscreen view of GenerateBlock Pro's support center.

Here, users can seek assistance by opening support tickets or engaging with the GenerateBlocks Community to address any questions or concerns that they may have.

Additionally, they also provide comprehensive documentation to ensure that users always have access to helpful resources when using the tool.

Is this the right page builder for you?

I’ve been using Generateblocks for over several years now, and couldn’t recommend anything better.

Having said that, because of the high amount of customizing that you’re able to do, you do have to get familiar with it to be able to use it. I wouldn’t say that GenerateBlocks is beginner friendly, but at the same time, it isn’t something you need a technical degree to use.

If you’re looking for something that is going to be quick for you to create what you want, sort of like a plug and play that you can quickly whip something up, then Generateblocks probably isn’t for you. I’d recommend looking at other products.

If, however, you’re looking for something that you can use to customize practically anything within your website, then I’d highly recommend Generateblocks.

I built all my homepages, lead magnets, and sales pages out with Generateblocks. It’s lightweight, super fast, and highly customizable.

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