WordPress Bebo or Thrive Architect - many of us speculated for months prior to the new version 5.0 release of WordPress, code named Gutenberg, now officially named "Bebo". The content would be 'added in blocks', which sounded like it was going to catch up with drag & drop visual editors that Thrive, Elementor and Divi offer. It would also be adding features that were not previously available - especially Table, Columns and Button features. Well overdue. Does it mean Bebo vs Thrive Architect will clash each other? Will Bebo make the Architect plugin less attractive, less needed, or worse still, unusable?
...No, that was never the case.
Simplicity or Conversion
The number of features and variety options that Thrive Architect already provides is far greater than that of Bebo's. After all, 'simplicity' has always been the best at WordPress, and it's the user friendliness that's made it the most popular blog management system. Keep it simple or users might leave.
Table example
Years ago, WordPress was criticized for the lack of some features such as column/table. Despite of that, it successfully became the mainstream. Just compose from top to bottom. We're no longer using tables. Insert html code or use a plugin at your own terms if you wish, simples!
So this 'simplicity is the best' approach hasn't changed. Bebo allows you to add quite a few fancy components, but keep the options minimum. If you want your website to stand out from the crowd and focus on more conversions, you will want Thrive Architect to make the difference.
New WordPress Features
I personally think Bebo is great. And everyone's going to user it eventually, so this is fabulous. Bebo's beta version has had some serious fundamental issues such as sluggish behavior and even worse, slowing the whole site down. These need to be fixed, of course. But most of other complaints made by the existing WordPress users are based on the 'change' - people don't like changes. "Now we have to click + to open up a box!" "Is this really necessary!?" They'll soon get over it for sure.
Really, there are some remarkable new features that Gutenberg offers (all of which are also available in Thrive Architect) such as;
- Buttons
- Image embedding (inline, gallery, or as a cover image)
- Columns
- Tables
- Quote blocks
- Responsive video such as YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion
- Audio embedding from Soundcloud
- Widget block, such as latest posts, latest comments
Pullquote Feature
Had the conventional WordPress editor been my only blogging platform, I would have been ecstatic to be able to use these features. If you don't want any of that, and all you do is to write words and slap a couple of images in your post - that's pretty much of what I do too. Just bear in mind that these elements would make your readers more responsive. Place a button instead of placing a hyperlink on text ("Click Here >>>"), and more people will react to it.
Now if you like these features, I'll show you how much more Thrive Architect allows you to do.
Bebo vs. Thrive Architect e.g. Button
Gutenberg offers 3 x button variations; rounded, squared, or outline. You can change the color of the button and text to any color you want. But you cannot change the size, or change the background color;
While Thrive Architect offers 8 x default variations, fully customizable. Not only can you use any color, any font or have it in any size, you can also have it animated, add a shadow, have it in a color gradient or add any icon (choice from thousands of icons).
(This is a slanted edge background by Thrive Architect.)
Thrive also allows you to create a fancy background and place any elements within the background. And the background can be any type - any colors including gradient or patterned, or even an image background.
What Thrive Can Do But Bebo Can't
I know some of you might think "I don't need all that fancy stuff. It's the content that counts, not the design". Yes, you can say that. But there's so much more you can enjoy with these extra features that Thrive Architect brings out. And remember, Thrive is suitable for anyone who wishes to convert - generate more leads and make more sales. So there are some crucial elements that Thrive has but Gutenberg doesn't. Means you would have to install a new plugin every time you need something, while Thrive Architect has them all in one plugin. These are elements such as;
Toggle box example:
What has no body and no nose?
What can't be burned in fire, nor drowned in water?
Any of these elements can be customized and saved as a template for future use. As far as the versatility is concerned, Thrive Architect is by miles better than just a simple WordPress Bebo editor. The good news is - once you are used to the "block editing" experience with Bebo, it'll be extremely easy for you to adopt the Architect editor, too.
For $299/year or $149/quarter
Thrive Suite Includes:
I thought creating a website would be hard, but honestly, there are so many features on Thrive Architect that make it easy now. Once I got it up and running, I was able to monetize through ads and some affiliate links, and it’s slowly paying off!
Hi, is Thrive Architect usable on Gutenberg? (I’m using the classic version of WordPress).
My question is, If I buy Thrive Architect and install it on Gutenberg, can I both use G and TA? When I fee like using G, use G and vice versa.
Assuming TA no longer works on classic version of WP?
Thanks for the guide!
Hi Isaac, yes Thrive Architect is usable on the latest version of WordPress as well as the classic version. The good news if you can use both. In fact it makes it easier for the classic version users; you can add WordPress editor block within Thrive Architect. Depending where you’re at with your website, it’s worth getting it. Let me know if you need some help. Thanks for your comment!
I am a Thrive Themes annual member and like to strongly suggest that Thrive Architect cannot be compared with Gutenburg. There is a big, huge difference in between. There are too many things that Thrive Themes can do but Gutenberg cannot. Gutenberg is too cheap. I am happy that although I am using WordPress but I don’t have to use WordPress editor because Thrive Architect does it all. I strongly recommend to buy it. Gutenberg is not enough at all.
Hi Nina, you’re right, that’s something I cannot disagree. Thrive is far better than Gutenberg, by miles. At all counts including usability, number of features, design, stability and versatility. It is so value for money than staying free with WordPress editor. Just like comparing an hour flight journey and 10-hour train journey! Thanks for your comment.
Hi, I have some questions.
I am very disappointed to know that the button in Gutenberg cannot open a new tab or
cannot make nofollow link.
(for these reasons I am using a conventional hyper link).
My first question is, do Thrive Architect’s buttons allow you to open a new tab and make nofollow links?
My another question is about updates. How often does Thrive Architect offer to update and for how long? I am apprehensive as to what’s happening with the oncoming versions of WordPress. I don’t want to waste money if Thrive Architect becomes unusable in 1-2 years time.
Thanking you in advice.
Hi Lee, you’re right, I too am disappointed to learn that Gutenberg’s button feature doesn’t currently have a new tab option or nofollow option, and if I insert the relevant code, it will become unusable.
I can confirm that Thrive Architect’s button feature allows you to open a new tab, and also to make it nofollow – there are two option boxes respectively, and all you have to do is to check each box.
Your second question, the plugin updates continuously, at least once a month, I would say. Once you purchase it, you are entitled to (automatically) receive updates as and when for life. We know nothing stays the same forever, but Thrive Architect was overhauled last year (previously called Thrive Content Builder) so I feel it will stay as a market-leading popular plugin for at least another 2 years. Though that’s just my educated guess!
Thanks for your comments, any more questions don’t hesitate to get back to me any time.
Hi, I really hated Gutenberg, it took me 2 days to finish a post, then realized the button doesn’t have a new tab option, I felt so agitated I changed it back to the old version by plugin. I’m sorry if this is what it is, I cannot imagine how clumsy I would be with Thrive Architect.
Hi Marian, thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts. Many existing WordPress users seem to have a difficulty getting used to it. Everyone has different preferences, I personally like it and didn’t take me a few minutes to get on with Gutenberg, perhaps because I was already used to the Architect. Assuming this is the direction WordPress is taking, I hope you’ll give it a try again some time. Thanks for your visit!
I really hate WordPress 5 version because you need to click extra time to do something. You cannot put pictures side by side. There are so many faults. If Thrive architect can do something like this it’s good. Drag and drop it sounds like easy. I will not know until I try.
Hi, thanks for your comment. Just to let you know, you can put images side by side in Gutenberg in desktop/tablet – using the gallery feature, or a column feature. And of course Thrive allows you to do that easy also. Neither of these website editors can make everyone happy, but they’re proven to be successful, so you know!
Thank you for such a great review in time for the release of Gutenberg. I have no problem with Gutenberg. I find it easy. But it’s too simple and lacks versatility. I will seriously consider Thrive Architect because it sounds like it will let me do what I want to do with my sales page.
Hi Kevin, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I hope that Gutenberg will become a good entrance to Thrive Architect. Although I appreciate the fact that some WordPress users want little else but simply to write and place some photos. The Gutenberg features are great introductions for every user for sure. And if anyone ever wonders how they can improve the user experience, hence more leads or sales, Thrive is there.
I tried Gutenberg and had nothing but troubles. Version 4.98 is good enough for me I don’t need blocks, buttons or what new things. All I need is to run my website without any hassles. It is a waste of time.
Hi Dare, thanks for your comment, and sorry to hear that you’ve had problems with Gutenberg. At this moment it’s still at a beta version stage. We’re all hoping that all the bugs will be sorted in time. Like any other things, products will either improve or become obsolete. So gradually you’ll get used to it, I hope!
Hi Ray, thanks for the awesome review. I’ve been holding on for so long, wanted to see if it’s worth buying Thrive membership. Now I’m convinced, appreciate your help. Just one thing, I understand if I become a member I can receive all the Thrive Themes products but are they going to be all compatible with WordPress Gutenberg?
Thank you for your support.
Fabien
H Fabien, thanks for your comment. Yes I can confirm that all the Thrive Themes products are continuously being updated, and they’ll be compatible with Gutenberg. But like anything – products do become obsolete one day in the future. They’ll be replaced by something new. So you won’t waste any money by being a Thrive member because you’ll get to have all the new, future products (particularly get to use them before the official release!) Any more questions don’t hesitate to get back to me any time. Thanks!
It’s good to know Gutenberg is nice and simple. I think I will use Gutenberg first and see how easy it is for me. And if it’s easy enough I must keep blogging until I need to migrate my site to something more professional, right? Then I will think about using this program. Thanks for a great review.
Geo
Hi Geo, yes, if you don’t have your website set up just yet, start free with WordPress (though you still have to pay a small fee for web hosting). Right now Gutenberg is only available by instaling a plugin (free) but you’ll see how easy it is. Any questions about how to build a site, affiliate or any internet marketing, I can take you through. Don’t hesitate to contact me any time 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
Please give me discount. I need to use thrive architect but it’s too expensive now. when I start making affilite money then I can pay normal price from next year.