Build a Stylish, Responsive WordPress Site with Raft Theme and Otter Blocks

Looking for a way to easily build a stylish, responsive WordPress site?

The Raft theme combined with the Otter Blocks plugin is a great option for beginners. This powerful duo provides a streamlined design platform, with plenty of flexibility for those wanting to take the plunge into Full Site Editing.

I’ve always appreciated the design work that went into ThemeIsle Starter Sites, so I suspect that using the patterns in Otter Blocks will deliver the same satisfaction. With just a few clicks, you can create an elegant website that looks fantastic on any device, all while using WordPress latest design features.

Here’s an overview of the key benefits for new WordPress users.

Modern, Minimalist Design

Raft’s clean, contemporary aesthetic is perfect for small businesses, online services, portfolios, blogs, and more. The lightweight theme is a blank canvas to make your own.

Instead of incorporating full Start Sites like the rest of ThemeIsle’s line-up, you’ll leverage Full Site Editing + Otter Blocks plugin to build the layouts you’re after.

Simplify Site Building with Block Patterns

Speaking of Otter Blocks…

Pre-made sections called block patterns allow you to quickly add elements like call-to-action headers, testimonials, contact forms, post grids, and other commonly used blocks.

The race is on from WordPress theme shops to create the de facto pattern library plugin for WordPress users. I think ThemeIsle does a good job including a lot of free patterns in Otter Blocks, and then reserves advanced features in the Pro plugin.

Not many WordPress theme shops ship advanced WooCommerce tools + pop-up features in their pattern plugin. Advantage, Otter Blocks.

Intuitive Customization Tools

Otter Blocks’ drag-and-drop page builder makes tailoring your site design a breeze. Adjust colors, fonts, spacing, borders, and more without touching code.

There’s a lot of nuance in how a WordPress professional wants to build a website. There’s a method, an approach, and then a common workflow one builds a repeatable process for:

• Method – Do you want to use a block-based theme or do you prefer a full page building experience?
• Approach – Do you like to start a project with a fully designed Starter Site tempalte or break it apart leveraging patterns?
• Workflow – How do you approach each project with the same decisions to achieve the client’s goals?

Otter Blocks takes a non-intrusive approach to the WordPress UI which I appreciate. Some WordPress theme shops lean too heavy on styling the experience of building a site, and it gets exhausting.

Additional advantages when building with Raft Theme

WordPress professionals benefit from using the Raft theme in several ways. Here are a few of them:

Responsive Layouts Made Easy

Columns and sections intelligently resize and reflow to look great on any screen size. No need to worry about mobile optimization.

Icon Menu Options for Visual Flair

Easily spice up your navigation menus by adding icons next to menu items. This makes main menus more scannable and engaging.

Flexible Content Blocks for Custom Pages

Mix and match content blocks to create unique layouts for homepage sections, blog posts, contact pages, and more.

Raft + Otter Blocks: A Streamlined Admin Experience

In the world of WordPress site building, the right tools can make all the difference.

For beginners seeking an elegant, responsive, and hassle-free website creation experience, the Raft theme paired with the Otter Blocks plugin is an unbeatable duo. With their modern, minimalist design, simplified block patterns, and intuitive customization options, they empower you to bring your vision to life effortlessly.

The combination of Raft and Otter Blocks not only offers a visually appealing and functional website but also streamlines your admin experience. No overwhelming dashboard takeovers or constant upsell distractions—just a clean, user-friendly interface.

Whether you’re a newcomer to WordPress or a seasoned professional, these tools adapt to your preferred approach for your client work. Plus, Otter Blocks stands out by including advanced features like WooCommerce integration and pop-up tools in their pattern library.

There’s a lot of competition in the WordPress theme space, but I’d recommend giving Raft and Otter Blocks a try. If you do try it, feel free to reach out and let me know how your experience was!

Matt Medeiros

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Monday, 9 Oct 2023

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Reading time:

5 mins

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