Amongst the many front end frameworks, Bootstrap is one of the most popular ones that help tailor a responsive and also a mobile first website. Leading content management system (CMS) is WordPress, which provides facilities for integrating Bootstrap for dynamic and visually appealing themes by developers. So if you’re wondering how Bootstrap fits onto WordPress, this guide will walk through the setup, themes available out there, benefits and negatives, and alternatives.
What Is Bootstrap?
Twitter developers created the open source framework bootstrap. It offers pre designed HTML, CSS and JavaScript components such as buttons, forms, navigation bars and grids. By giving you a consistent structure and ready to use design elements, it simplifies the process of web development.
Why should you use Bootstrap in WordPress?
Bootstrap makes WordPress themes easier to customize and more responsive. With the fast and easy development of themes with the combination of WordPress flexiblity and Bootstrap design tools.
Setting Up Bootstrap in WordPress
Here is a step-by-step guide to integrating Bootstrap with WordPress:
1. Download Bootstrap
- Go to the Bootstrap website.
- Download the latest version of the framework.
2. Add Bootstrap to Your WordPress Theme
- Place the Bootstrap files (CSS and JS) in your theme directory (e.g.,
/wp-content/themes/your-theme/assets/). - Enqueue the Bootstrap CSS and JS files in your theme’s
functions.phpfile:
function enqueue_bootstrap() {
wp_enqueue_style('bootstrap-css', get_template_directory_uri() . '/assets/css/bootstrap.min.css');
wp_enqueue_script('bootstrap-js', get_template_directory_uri() . '/assets/js/bootstrap.bundle.min.js', array('jquery'), null, true);
}
add_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', 'enqueue_bootstrap');
3. Use Bootstrap Classes in Templates
- Add Bootstrap classes to your HTML elements in WordPress templates. For example:
<div class="container">
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-6">Content 1</div>
<div class="col-md-6">Content 2</div>
</div>
</div>
WordPress Themes Using Bootstrap
Bootstrap or any of the Bootstrap related projects are sometimes used to build many WordPress themes, or are at least supported within them. Here are a few popular ones:
1. UnderStrap
Combines Bootstrap into WordPress and is a popular starter theme. It offers great basis for custom theme development.
2. Bootstrap Blog
Great lightweight and simple WordPress theme for bloggers
3. Sparkling
A Bootstrap based modern theme and the best candidate for blogs, small businesses and portfolio pages.
4. Virtue
It’s a versatile future theme which is ready to use with Bootstrap support, good for eCommerce or creative sites.
Pros of Using Bootstrap in WordPress.
1. Responsive Design
Bootstrap helps you build mobile friendly websites.
Layouts are automatically ordered based on different screen size with the help of grid system.
2. Faster Development
The time saved by pre designed components is an important criterion for hardware.
This frees developers up to start writing their functionality, and not spend time writing CSS and JavaScript from scratch.
3. Customization
With Bootstrap’s extensive class library, you can make wide ranging design changes without writing much code.
4. Community Support
There’s a large community, resources, tutorials, and plugins.
Cons of Using Bootstrap in WordPress
1. Learning Curve
- Teaching beginners Bootstrap classes can take time to learn and use them to your advantage.
2. Overhead
All Bootstrap files may result in an increase in page load times. I only used necessary components for optimum performance.
3. Limited Uniqueness
If not customized properly, websites built with Bootstrap may look the same.
WordPress alternatives for Bootstrap
If Bootstrap does not meet your needs, consider these alternatives:
1. Foundation by Zurb
Similar to Bootstrap, it’s a flexible and responsive front end framework. For those designers who want more customization options, it’s the best option.
2. Tailwind CSS
The above is a utility first css framework, for customizing things. This lets you design right in HTML without pre defined component.
3. Bulma
A lightweight and modern CSS framework, simple and responsive.
4. UIkit
A clean design, modular front end framework that is responsive.
Which Is Right for You?
Using WordPress with Bootstrap is a good idea for people who don’t have much time and want to create responsive as well as professional looking themes. If you are comfortable with front end frameworks or working in a project that has a tight deadline, it’s an ideal choice. Nevertheless, if you’re going to go for something a bit more advanced and if you have other design on your mind, you can consider alternatives such as Tailwind CSS or Foundation.