Kadence Blocks stands out as an excellent illustration of layout blocks that surpass the default WordPress Gutenberg blocks.
Having utilized Kadence Blocks extensively, I’ve opted to provide a review of the plugin by addressing some frequently asked questions. Check them out below!
What is Kadence Blocks?
Kadence Blocks is a popular and versatile Gutenberg blocks plugin for WordPress, offering the ability to build attractive and functional websites without the need for advanced coding skills.
The plugin comes equipped with a range of pre-designed blocks that can be easily utilized and customized for crafting web pages. Essentially, Kadence Blocks serves as a page builder built upon the native WordPress editor and its features.
Are Kadence Blocks Good?
Absolutely. In contrast to other blocks in the market, Kadence Blocks stand out with their contemporary design, exceptional customization capabilities, and user-friendly interface.
Importing pre-made templates designed with Kadence Blocks is a seamless process. To do so, you just need to install the free Kadence Starter Templates plugin and start customizing them right away.
Furthermore, the team consistently introduces new blocks and features. A recent addition includes the Google Maps block, enabling you to swiftly incorporate and customize a map on your page.
Are Kadence Blocks Free?
Certainly, you can download the plugin for free from their official website or the WordPress.org repository. Presently, the free version of the plugin is in use on over 200,000 websites.
Are Kadence Blocks Fast?
Yes, they are integrated into the WordPress core. The plugin loads CSS and JavaScript files only when necessary and specifically for the blocks present on a given page.
Additionally, there are over 1,500 SVG icons available by default, ensuring fast loading as no font-family is utilized.
Does the Plugin Work With Other Themes?
Kadence Blocks is compatible with the majority of WordPress themes that support the native Gutenberg editor. However, for optimal compatibility, it is recommended to use it with the Kadence theme.
How Do I Install Kadence Blocks in WordPress?
Simply follow these steps:
- Log in to your WordPress admin
- Go to Plugins – Add New – Search for Kadence Blocks
- Click on Install Now and then on Activate
That’s it! You can now utilize the plugin directly within the default WordPress editor. Access the settings under Settings – Kadence Blocks in your admin area.
How Do I Use Kadence Blocks in WordPress?
After installing the plugin, just create or edit any page/post and click on the + icon in the upper left corner to add a new block.
You will find the available Kadence Blocks there. Simply click on any block to add it to your page or post.
If you wish to edit any block, click on it and modify the settings from the right-side panel. The adjustments are user-friendly and self-explanatory.
You also have the option to set your color palette and default settings for all Kadence Blocks, ensuring consistent styling and saving time on customizations when creating new pages.
What are the Latest Features?
Both the free and premium versions of the plugin receive regular updates. The team consistently introduces new and innovative features. You can check the changelog here.
Here are the latest versions:
- Kadence Blocks – version 3.1.24, released on November 8th, 2022
- Kadence Blocks Pro – version 2.0.16, released on October 11th, 2023
Some of my favorite latest additions are:
- Advanced Image Block – offers a wide range of design controls and advanced options like image filters, animate on scroll, conditional display and more
- Lottie Block – easily add Lottie animations to your page or post
- Meta Box support – allows you to add dynamic content with Meta Box
- Google Maps Block – easily embed and customize Google maps on your pages
Kadence Blocks 3.0
Update: in February 2023, the team launched a major new version – Kadence Blocks 3.0. It’s the biggest update yet and includes lots of powerful features like:
- Rebuilt and improved code of the core product
- A completely new block settings design
- Copy/paste styles – easily apply existing styles to new elements
- Improved Row block – CSS grid, new layout options, move sections within a row
- Better mobile responsiveness and performance
- Import/export block defaults
- Compatibility with older versions
I am particularly impressed with the latest version of the plugin: it is speedy, intuitive, and has a more visually-oriented approach. It is unquestionably superior and more robust compared to the default Gutenberg editor.
Kadence AI
Kadence AI is currently in the beta phase and is set to be released soon. I had the opportunity to test it, and it’s quite impressive.
It will be accessible through the Kadence Blocks plugin in the Design Library section, where it will generate custom design sections based on your inputs.
