GrapesJS is a powerful open-source framework that has gained popularity for its ability to create web pages and landing pages quickly and intuitively. It is especially popular among web developers and designers who want to create web pages or build complex user interfaces without writing HTML or CSS from scratch. In this article, we will explore what GrapesJS is, its key features, the benefits it offers, and how to use it to build custom web pages.
1. What is GrapesJS
GrapesJS is a free and open source web builder that provides a complete platform for creating web pages, email templates and web applications through a visual “drag-and-drop” interface. Initially created with the goal of helping programmers reduce front-end development time, GrapesJS has quickly become an indispensable tool for anyone who needs a visual editor for designing web content. Click on this link to run a demo of GrapesJS.
2. Main Features of GrapesJS
GrapesJS stands out for a number of key features that make it a formidable option compared to other builders available on the market:
2.1 Editor Visuale Drag-and-Drop
The main feature of GrapesJS is its drag-and-drop visual editor that allows users to easily position page elements (such as text, images, buttons, and forms) and see the changes in real time. This approach eliminates the need to know HTML and CSS to build a web page.
2.2 Integrated Code Editor
While GrapesJS focuses on visual editing, it also offers the ability to directly access and edit HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code. This is especially useful for experienced developers who want to further customize their projects.
2.3 Modular Components
GrapesJS is based on a modular component architecture. Users can choose and organize components from a large library, or create new ones to suit specific needs. Common components include text sections, images, links, buttons, and even videos.
2.4 Support for Responsive Design
The framework includes tools to create responsive pages. Users can set custom breakpoints and styles to adapt their pages to different devices, such as desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
2.5 Compatibility with Frontend Frameworks
GrapesJS can easily integrate with frameworks like Bootstrap and Tailwind CSS, further simplifying the development of responsive layouts and complex components.
2.6 Managing CSS Styles
One of the most appreciated features of GrapesJS is its graphical interface for managing CSS styles. It allows you to apply custom styles to each component, such as color, size, margins, padding, and more, through a user-friendly interface.
2.7 Default Templates
GrapesJS offers a number of pre-built templates that can be used as a basis for projects. This is especially useful for quickly creating landing pages or websites with an attractive design.
2.8 Plugin Integration
Thanks to its open architecture, it is possible to extend GrapesJS with third-party plugins, which add extra features such as advanced form integration, image galleries, animations or even support for creating email newsletters.
3. Advantages of GrapesJS
Adopting GrapesJS offers numerous advantages to both beginners and web design professionals:
3.1 Free and Open Source
GrapesJS is completely free and its source code is available on GitHub. This makes it a great choice for those looking for a solution with no hidden costs, with the advantage of being able to customize it as needed.
3.2 No Dependencies on External Libraries
GrapesJS is completely self-contained and does not require the installation of external libraries, such as jQuery. This makes it lightweight and easy to integrate into any project.
3.3 Ease of use
Even those with little or no experience with coding can quickly start creating web pages thanks to its intuitive interface. At the same time, experienced developers will appreciate the flexibility and the ability to intervene directly on the code.
3.4 Reduction of Development Times
Thanks to its visual features and modularity, GrapesJS saves time in developing complex web pages, facilitating rapid iteration of prototypes and mockups.
3.5 Extensive Documentation
GrapesJS comes with excellent online documentation that covers all aspects of the framework, from basic concepts to advanced implementation of custom components.
4. How to Use GrapesJS?
Using GrapesJS is very easy, especially for those who are already used to working with visual web design tools. Here is a short script on how to put GrapesJS into action.
4.1 GrapesJS in action
You can get started with GrapesJS by simply including GrapesJS in an HTML project via a CDN link. For those who want to dive deeper, it is also possible to integrate it into more complex applications. Here is the sample code to get GrapesJS started:
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://unpkg.com/grapesjs/dist/css/grapes.min.css" />
<script src="https://unpkg.com/grapesjs"></script>
<script src="https://unpkg.com/grapesjs-blocks-basic"></script>
<script src="https://unpkg.com/grapesjs-preset-webpage"></script>
<script src="https://unpkg.com/grapesjs-plugin-export"></script>
<script src="https://unpkg.com/grapesjs-touch"></script>
<script src="https://unpkg.com/grapesjs-plugin-forms"></script>
<script src="https://unpkg.com/grapesjs-tailwind"></script>
<script src="https://unpkg.com/grapesjs-custom-code"></script>
<div id="gjs"></div>
<script type="text/javascript">
var editor = grapesjs.init({
container : '#gjs',
height: '100%',
fromElement: true,
storageManager: true,
plugins: [
"grapesjs-preset-webpage",
"gjs-blocks-basic",
"grapesjs-plugin-export",
"grapesjs-touch",
"grapesjs-plugin-forms",
"grapesjs-tailwind",
"grapesjs-custom-code"
],
canvas: {
styles: [
'https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.4.1/css/bootstrap.min.css'
],
scripts: [
'https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.7.1/jquery.min.js',
'https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/popper.js/1.14.3/umd/popper.min.js',
'https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.4.1/js/bootstrap.min.js'
],
}
});
</script>
As strange as it may seem to you, to use GrapesJS you only have to include the style sheet and the Javascript file that make up the CORE of the web builder. In this example, however, the code is more complex because other tools have been integrated into GrapesJS. However, if you want to try it immediately, you can open the W3Schools page to run GrapesJS Online without creating any html page. Then click on this link and paste the code shown above. Click on the “ RUN ” button and GrapesJS will come to life.
With the code I just provided, you have the possibility of having all the components of the TailwindCSS , BootStrap and JQuery libraries available in GrapesJS. TailwindCSS is a CSS framework that allows you to design user interfaces quickly and flexibly. You will have all the components that TailWindCSS exposes available in GrapesJS. In the example you can see the “ Pricing ” component that creates a Prices section as we are used to seeing in various e-commerce websites.
There is another thing that you should not overlook, GrapesJS is extensible with other components made by you and that you can import into its Block Manager, that is, its component manager. Now a question would be legitimate, “ How do you design a new component in GrapesJS ? ”, The process is simple, but you need to have the right skills to do it. However, we have a great friend at our disposal: “ChatGPT”. Yes, ChatGPT can develop custom components for you to add to those already present in GrapesJS. In fact, try to open ChatGPT, type this prompt, copy and paste the code into the usual window made available by W3Schools and you will find your component in the Block Manager of GrapesJS components.
Image qui…
4.2 Graphical Interface
As you may have noticed, the visual editor will open in an HTML container. The interface shows a central canvas where you can drag and drop elements, a sidebar with components, and an area to edit the properties and style of selected elements.
4.3 Creating the Layout
At this point, you can select predefined components such as sections, columns, images or texts and arrange them on the page. Each component can be customized using the properties panel, where you can set colors, fonts, sizes and much more.
4.4 Exporting the Code
Once the page is complete, you can export the generated HTML and CSS code to use in any other project or hosting environment. Just click the arrow in the top right
5. GrapesJS Applications
GrapesJS is suitable for a wide range of uses:
5.1 Landing Page
It is perfect for quickly creating conversion-optimized landing pages, thanks to its templates and ease of customization.
5.2 Email Template
With the help of specific plugins, it can be used to create email templates compatible with various email clients.
5.3 Web Prototyping
Thanks to its speed of use, GrapesJS is ideal for creating website prototypes to present to clients or to use as a basis for future developments.
Read also: Speed up MacBook With two simple steps
6. Conclusions
GrapesJS is a versatile tool that offers a complete and free solution for creating web pages and landing pages. Its flexibility, combined with ease of use, makes it suitable for both beginners and experienced developers. If you are looking for an open source, powerful and customizable web builder, GrapesJS is definitely an option to consider.
Thanks to its large community and the continuous evolution of the project, GrapesJS represents a great alternative to other web design platforms, with the great advantage of being free from commercial constraints.