KB Category: WordPress

What is Breakdance?

Breakdance is a visual website builder for WordPress that uses a drag-and-drop interface. Developed by Soflyy, the builder was announced in June 2022 and released in September of that year. The tool positions itself as an alternative to established page builders such as Elementor, Divi, and Oxygen.

Core Features

Breakdance includes over 130-145 built-in elements organized into categories including Basic, Blocks, Site, Advanced, Dynamic, Forms, and WooCommerce. The builder includes a mega menu builder, form builder, popup builder, and header builder.

The builder can operate in “themeless” mode, allowing users to design entire sites without a WordPress theme. This includes headers, footers, and template creation directly within Breakdance.

WooCommerce Integration

Breakdance provides 20+ WooCommerce-specific elements for online store customization. Users can build WooCommerce pages including cart, checkout, account, shop, and order tracking pages using the visual interface.

Dynamic Data and Plugin Compatibility

Breakdance supports custom WordPress queries through a visual query builder. The system integrates with Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), allowing users to display dynamic content throughout their sites.

The builder’s structure emulates the WordPress theme system, which allows most WordPress plugins to integrate without compatibility issues.

Performance Characteristics

Breakdance caches static CSS when pages are saved and uses WordPress’s built-in srcset functionality for image optimization. The system works with Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) for improved load times.

Global Styles System

The Global Styles feature allows users to control styling across all site elements from a single location. This includes forms, buttons, and other recurring elements, maintaining design consistency across the website.

Design Library

Breakdance includes a design library with pre-built templates that users can import and customize. The templates are responsive and can be imported with one click.

Client Management

Breakdance offers a “Client Mode” that restricts user access, allowing clients to edit text and images without modifying the overall design. User access levels can be managed through the Role Manager in Breakdance settings.

Gutenberg Compatibility

Breakdance can be used alongside the WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg). A Breakdance for Gutenberg block allows integration of Breakdance content within Gutenberg pages.

System Requirements

While specific requirements are not published, the builder functions on current WordPress installations. Users migrating from other page builders should test Breakdance on a staging site before implementing it on production websites.

Examples of Breakdance Websites We Built

The login page for WordPress (typically at /wp-login.php) where users authenticate to access the admin dashboard. It is a common target for hackers due to predictable URL and brute-force attacks. The main benefits are secure access to your site’s backend. Consider enhancing security by renaming or protecting wp-login.php with plugins, enabling two-factor authentication, or using IP restrictions.

Search for wp-login.php

A core WordPress directory that contains the essential libraries, functions, and assets required for WordPress to operate. It includes files for handling themes, scripts, and internal processes. This folder should never be manually modified, as changes can be overwritten during updates and may break your site. The main benefit is that it provides the foundational code that powers WordPress functionality. Consider treating wp-includes as read-only and relying on themes/plugins for customization instead.

Search for wp-includes folder

A built-in WordPress file that handles scheduled tasks like publishing scheduled posts, checking for updates, and sending emails. It runs automatically each time a visitor loads a page. However, on low-traffic sites, tasks may be delayed, and on high-traffic sites, it can cause unnecessary server load. The main benefits are automated task scheduling without needing a real server cron job. Consider replacing wp-cron with a true system cron for better performance on high-traffic sites.

Search for wp-cron.php

The primary directory in a WordPress installation where user-generated content is stored, including themes, plugins, and uploaded media. This folder is crucial because it contains all customizations and site-specific files. Unlike core WordPress files, the wp-content folder should always be backed up. The main benefits are centralized storage of all custom content and easy access for developers and administrators. Consider organizing your wp-content folder carefully to maintain a clean, manageable site structure.

Search for wp-content folder

A critical configuration file in WordPress that contains important settings like database connection details, security keys, and server configurations. It is essential for the proper functioning of your site. Because it contains sensitive information, it should be protected from unauthorized access. The main benefits of securing wp-config.php are enhanced site security and protection of your database credentials. Consider taking extra steps to secure your wp-config.php file, such as moving it to a non-public directory or setting proper file permissions.

Search for wp-config.php

The administrative backend of a WordPress site, accessible via /wp-admin. It provides the dashboard where users manage content, settings, plugins, and themes. This area is password-protected and should be secured against unauthorized access. The main benefits are centralized control over your website and an intuitive interface for non-developers. Consider securing wp-admin with strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and limiting login attempts to prevent brute-force attacks.

Search for wp-admin folder

The main location for a user’s content (uploads, themes, plugins, etc.). Backup plugins should be configured to properly include all files, even those outside this folder like uploads folder or log folders.

Search for WP Content folder

In the context of web design and online business, WordPress Website Maintenance Mode refers to a temporary status when a site is taken offline for updates or repairs. This prevents visitors from accessing the site during critical changes. If a site gets stuck in this mode, it can lead to lost traffic and sales. The main benefits are the ability to make safe updates and prevent user-facing errors. Consider using maintenance mode plugins or manually removing the .maintenance file if your site is stuck.

Search for WordPress Website Maintenance Mode

Divided into Core files and Other files. Only Other files (user content, plugins, themes, DB connectors, extensions) and user-generated content need to be backed up as Core files should never be changed.

Search for WordPress files