Website design and development have evolved significantly over the years, and WordPress remains one of the most popular platforms for building websites.
While WordPress offers a range of pre-built themes and design options, users often seek more customization and control over their websites. This is where Oxygen Builder comes into play.
Oxygen Builder is a robust, feature-rich website design tool that allows users to create highly customizable, fast-loading, and visually stunning websites directly on WordPress.
It has gained popularity among developers and designers due to its versatility, performance optimization, and ability to work without themes.
Whether you’re a web developer looking for more flexibility or a designer wanting to craft bespoke websites, Oxygen Builder offers the tools to bring your vision to life.
We will explore the key features, benefits, and functionalities of Oxygen Builder, why it’s an excellent choice for many WordPress users, and how you can get the most out of it.
What is Oxygen Builder?
Oxygen Builder is a drag-and-drop WordPress page builder plugin that replaces the traditional WordPress theme system. Unlike many other page builders such as Elementor or WPBakery, which build on top of WordPress themes, Oxygen allows you to build a site from scratch without the need for a theme.
This gives developers and designers unparalleled freedom to create custom layouts and designs without being constrained by a theme’s limitations.
Launched by Soflyy in 2016, Oxygen quickly gained recognition for its unique approach to WordPress site building. The builder gives you full control over every aspect of your website’s design, structure, and functionality, making it an ideal choice for developers, agencies, and advanced users who want a high level of customization.
Key Features of Oxygen Builder
Oxygen Builder stands out in the WordPress ecosystem due to its advanced features that cater to both beginners and experienced developers. Some of the most notable features include:
1. No Theme Requirement
Oxygen Builder eliminates the need for a WordPress theme entirely. Instead of working with or around a theme’s pre-set layouts and designs, Oxygen lets you build everything from scratch.
This approach gives you complete control over the design of your site, from the header to the footer, ensuring that every aspect aligns with your vision.
2. Drag-and-Drop Visual Editor
One of the main appeals of Oxygen Builder is its intuitive drag-and-drop editor. Even though it’s highly customizable, you don’t need coding knowledge to use it. You can visually build pages by dragging elements like text, images, columns, and buttons onto the page, arranging them as needed.
The live preview mode allows you to see changes in real time, making the design process smooth and efficient.
3. Full Control Over CSS
While Oxygen offers a visual building interface, it also provides developers with extensive control over CSS. You can write custom CSS code or use Oxygen’s built-in classes to modify styles. This flexibility allows for deep customization that can cater to complex design requirements.
4. Global Colors and Styles
Oxygen allows you to set global colors and styles that automatically apply across your entire site. This feature helps maintain brand consistency and ensures that your design elements are cohesive.
By adjusting the global settings, you can change the look of your site in just a few clicks without needing to manually update each element.
5. Reusable Elements
To save time and ensure design consistency, Oxygen Builder lets you create reusable elements. For example, you can create a custom header or footer and use it across multiple pages without having to redesign it from scratch every time. Any changes you make to the reusable element will be applied universally across the site, simplifying updates.
6. Dynamic Data Integration
Oxygen Builder integrates seamlessly with WordPress’s dynamic data. This allows you to build custom templates that pull data from posts, pages, or custom fields. If you’re building a blog, portfolio, or e-commerce site, dynamic data is essential for creating templates that automatically populate with content.
7. WooCommerce Integration
For e-commerce sites, Oxygen offers advanced WooCommerce integration, allowing you to design custom product pages, shop layouts, and checkout experiences. Unlike many other page builders, Oxygen gives you granular control over every aspect of your WooCommerce store, from product grids to cart functionality.
8. Performance Optimization
One of the standout features of Oxygen Builder is its focus on performance. Websites built with Oxygen are known for their speed and efficiency, which can improve SEO rankings and user experience. By eliminating unnecessary theme bloat and optimizing code, Oxygen ensures that your site loads quickly, even with complex designs and layouts.
Advantages of Using Oxygen Builder
The benefits of using Oxygen Builder are numerous, especially for those who prioritize design flexibility and performance. Below are some key advantages:
1. Total Design Freedom
Oxygen Builder grants users unparalleled design freedom. Without the constraints of pre-built themes, users can create completely custom websites, from landing pages to complex, multi-page designs.
The ability to work directly with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript gives developers an advantage, while the visual builder remains user-friendly for those who aren’t familiar with coding.
2. Faster Site Performance
Oxygen Builder is engineered for speed. Unlike traditional themes and other page builders that add extra code and scripts to your site, Oxygen’s output is lean and optimized. Faster site speed not only improves user experience but also has a direct impact on SEO, as search engines prioritize fast-loading websites.
3. Cost Efficiency
With Oxygen Builder, there are no recurring subscription fees. You purchase the plugin once and get lifetime updates. This is particularly attractive for freelancers and agencies who manage multiple client websites. Compared to other popular page builders that charge annually, Oxygen can be a more cost-effective solution in the long run.
4. Integration with Gutenberg
Oxygen Builder works in tandem with WordPress default block editor, Gutenberg. If you’re building a site that uses Oxygen for complex layouts but still want to use Gutenberg for simpler pages or posts, you can do so without any issues. This integration adds flexibility and lets you leverage the best of both worlds.
5. Extensive Third-Party Integrations
Oxygen supports a variety of third-party integrations. Whether you need to incorporate marketing tools, CRM systems, or email marketing services, Oxygen makes it easy to integrate with external platforms. This ensures that your website remains functional and aligned with your broader business needs.
6. Enhanced Workflow for Agencies
For web design agencies, Oxygen Builder offers enhanced workflow management. You can create client-specific design libraries, reusable components, and templates that streamline the design process. Additionally, Oxygen client editing mode restricts clients from editing structural elements, reducing the risk of accidental design changes.
How to Use Oxygen Builder for Building a Website
If you’re new to Oxygen Builder or considering using it for your next WordPress project, here’s a simple guide to get started:
1. Install Oxygen Builder
Once you’ve purchased Oxygen Builder, download the plugin from your Soflyy account. Upload the plugin to your WordPress site by navigating to Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin. Activate the plugin, and you’re ready to start building.
2. Set Up a Blank Canvas
Since Oxygen replaces the need for a theme, the first thing you’ll do is create a blank canvas. This means you start with a completely empty design and can build every element, from the header to the footer, exactly as you want.
3. Create a Template
Templates in Oxygen allow you to define the layout for various types of content on your site. For instance, you can create a template for blog posts, one for archive pages, and another for static pages. These templates are dynamically populated based on the content type.
4. Design Your Pages
Using the drag-and-drop interface, you can start adding elements to your pages. Oxygen offers a wide range of components, including text, images, buttons, forms, and galleries. You can customize the appearance of each element by adjusting styles, adding CSS, or using Oxygen’s responsive design tools.
5. Set Up Global Styles
To maintain a consistent design across your site, use Oxygen’s global settings to define colors, typography, and other design elements. This allows you to make site-wide changes quickly and efficiently.
6. Add Dynamic Content
If you’re building a dynamic website (such as a blog or an e-commerce site), Oxygen makes it easy to integrate dynamic data. Use Oxygen dynamic content tools to create templates that automatically pull in data from posts, custom fields, or WooCommerce products.
Q&A About Oxygen Builder
1. Can beginners use Oxygen Builder? Yes, Oxygen Builder is user-friendly and offers a drag-and-drop visual editor. While it has advanced features for developers, beginners can still create beautiful websites using the visual interface without needing to code.
2. Is Oxygen Builder compatible with all WordPress themes? Oxygen Builder doesn’t require a theme to function. It replaces the need for a WordPress theme by allowing you to build every aspect of your website from scratch.
3. How does Oxygen Builder compare to Elementor? Oxygen Builder is more developer-focused, offering greater flexibility and performance optimization. Elementor, on the other hand, is more beginner-friendly and includes a larger library of pre-made templates and widgets. Both have their strengths, but Oxygen is typically favored by those who want more control over their website’s code and performance.
4. Can I use Oxygen Builder on multiple websites? Yes, Oxygen offers a lifetime license that allows you to use the builder on unlimited websites. This makes it an attractive option for freelancers and agencies managing multiple client sites.
5. Does Oxygen Builder affect website speed? No, in fact, Oxygen Builder is known for its performance optimization. It generates clean, lightweight code, which can improve site speed compared to other page builders that add extra bloat.
6. Is there a support community for Oxygen Builder? Yes, Oxygen Builder has a large and active online community. The official Facebook group, as well as forums, provide ample support for users seeking help, troubleshooting, or design inspiration.
Conclusion
Oxygen Builder is a powerful and versatile tool for WordPress users looking for complete control over their website design and performance.
Whether you’re a seasoned developer or a designer seeking more customization, Oxygen offers a unique approach that sets it apart from other page builders.
With its drag-and-drop editor, performance optimization, and advanced features, it’s an excellent choice for creating fast, beautiful, and fully customizable websites.
