Why More Businesses Are Moving from WPBakery to Gutenberg
A few years ago, WPBakery Page Builder was the go-to tool for WordPress page creation. But in 2025, more and more websites are switching to Gutenberg, WordPress’s native block editor. The reason is simple: faster websites, better SEO, and a future-proof platform aligned with the block-based direction of WordPress.
As a WordPress Gutenberg development agency, we help businesses make this transition — and the results are faster websites, higher Core Web Vitals, and easier content management for marketing teams.
Why Move from WPBakery to Gutenberg?
WPBakery relies on shortcodes and heavy DOM structures that slow down websites and complicate SEO. Gutenberg generates lightweight, semantic HTML optimized for accessibility, performance, and search engines. Migrating ensures long-term compatibility with Full Site Editing (FSE) and block themes — the standard for WordPress in 2025.
WPBakery vs Gutenberg – Comparison
| Feature | WPBakery | Gutenberg |
|---|---|---|
| HTML Output | Many shortcodes, heavy DOM | Lightweight, clean HTML |
| Speed | Slower loading | Faster rendering |
| SEO | Needs extra work | SEO-friendly structure |
| Accessibility | No built-in WCAG tools | Built-in ARIA roles, keyboard support |
| Integration | Third-party plugin | Native to WordPress |
Stats:
- In Nimble.Help tests, a site migrated from WPBakery to Gutenberg improved its GTMetrix score from E to C without extra optimization.
- According to Webnus, Gutenberg outperforms WPBakery in speed due to its cleaner, shortcode-free code.
Benefits of Migrating WPBakery → Gutenberg
- Cleaner Code = Faster Site – Gutenberg generates lightweight HTML, reducing TTFB and improving Core Web Vitals.
- No Third-Party Dependency – Native WordPress solution — updates won’t break your layouts.
- Better SEO – Easier heading hierarchy, ALT text, and schema markup with Yoast SEO, RankMath, and All in One SEO.
- WCAG Accessibility by Default – Built-in ARIA roles, screen reader support, mandatory ALT text.
Our Migration Process
- Audit – analyze current WPBakery structure [Link].
- Gutenberg Rebuild – recreate layouts using Reusable Blocks, Block Patterns, and Full Site Editing Templates [Link].
- Optimization – enable lazy loading, minimize code, load block scripts only where used.
- Responsive & Accessibility Testing – ensure WCAG compliance and mobile readiness.
- SEO & Performance Review – check Core Web Vitals, structured data, and indexing in Google Search Console.
Migration Tools
There are several tools and workflows that simplify WPBakery → Gutenberg migration:
- Converter for Blocks – helps transform shortcodes into native blocks where possible.
- Gutenberg Pattern Libraries – pre-made sections to quickly rebuild pages (hero, features, FAQ, testimonials).
- Manual Rebuild – best for complex layouts to ensure pixel-perfect design and SEO-friendly markup.
Gutenberg Tools That Replace WPBakery
- Reusable Blocks – perfect for CTAs, banners, footers.
- Block Patterns – ready-made section designs (hero, FAQ, testimonials).
- Templates – full layouts for posts, pages, WooCommerce products.
Learn more in our other article about Gutenberg Guides.
Case Study: E-Commerce Migration
A fashion brand migrated its store from WPBakery to Gutenberg. After 2 months:
- +38% faster load times (GTMetrix),
- +22% organic traffic from Google,
- marketing team edits content independently without coding.
FAQ.
Don’t see your question? Drop us a message. We’re always happy to help.
Will I lose my content when moving from WPBakery to Gutenberg?
No — all text, images, and media can be migrated. Layouts may require rebuilding, but content remains intact.
Do I need to change my theme?
Not always. For full FSE support and best performance, a block theme is recommended.
Is Gutenberg free?
Yes, it’s part of WordPress core and updated regularly.
Which plugins help with WPBakery → Gutenberg conversion?
Tools like Converter for Blocks and pattern libraries can speed up migration. For complex sites, a manual rebuild ensures clean, SEO-friendly output.
Does migrating affect SEO?
Positively in most cases. Cleaner HTML and fewer scripts improve crawlability and Core Web Vitals — many sites see organic gains within weeks.
Can I keep using WPBakery and Gutenberg together?
Technically yes, but it can cause conflicts and increase load. We recommend a full move to Gutenberg for consistency and speed.
Do I need coding skills to migrate?
No. With the right plan and block libraries, most content can be rebuilt visually. Our team handles the technical parts for you.
Will my custom post types and shortcodes still work?
Yes, CPTs remain. Shortcodes can be embedded in blocks, but we recommend replacing them with native blocks for performance and maintainability.
How long does a typical migration take?
From a few days for simple sites to several weeks for large, component-heavy builds. We start with an audit to estimate scope accurately.
Final Thoughts
Migrating from WPBakery to Gutenberg in 2025 is an investment in performance, SEO, and scalability. The block editor is the future of WordPress — faster, lighter, and easier to maintain.
If you want a faster, easier-to-manage WordPress site — contact us and let our Gutenberg experts handle the migration for you.
