Help me before my head explodes, I'm starting out and don't know what add-ons to buy

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Hi, I have decided that I want to start creating websites through Bricks, but since this decision I feel like my head is bursting and I can’t sleep at night😂. The problem is that there’s probably hundreds of different add-ons, frameworks etc and I absolutely don’t know what I need and what I don’t and the problem is also with the price because add-ons are very expensive and to buy right now maybe 10 different other things is absolutely unrealistic for me.

I used to work a bit in Elementor, I know the basics of HTML, CSS and JS, but I’m primarily a graphic designer, so my main goal is to create nice and aesthetically interesting sites as simply and as quickly as possible, where sometimes I’ll want some animations and other interesting elements, but at the same time I want the best speed, SEO and other things. Also will work wim WooCommerce often.

  1. My ideal idea so that I can create similar more challenging websites easily and quickly: https://terrapixel.io/ https://solarprojektsh.de/ https://studioneighbour.com/ https://www.thrivedesk.com/ https://www.stoppeffekt.no/

  2. Next I wanted to ask, please, on the contrary turn for some most simple and ordinary websites, are there already created templates somewhere that I just simply overwrite and customize? I mean like already finished sites templates. My point is that sometimes I need to create a website as quickly and simply as possible and there is no point in making it completely custom.

  3. As I said, I’m mainly a graphic designer, so I’m all about making sites as simple and fast as possible, ideally using as much ready-made stuff as possible and just customizing it, and my main question is whether to go for Core+Brixies or ACSS+Frames? With which one will I achieve the most simplicity and speed please? I would prefer Core+Brixies through price, but I heard that ACSS is probably better and simpler? Alternatively, can the framework be replaced with Advanced themer only? And for that maybe brixes or are there better options please? And most importantly I want to make as much as possible already automatically responsive for mobile.

  4. Also, please do you use for example WP Rocket or Litespeed Cache or anything else in a similar way, or do you not use anything at all? Alternatively what is best in combination with Bricks? Alternatively what plugin for SEO? Alternatively what are your essential plugins that you use?

  5. To summarize, so I’m thinking of taking Core+Brixies+Motion.page, and I don’t know if ACSS+frames + maybe Advanced themer and Bricks forge is more suitable for me though? Or what add-ons do you guys use and could I achieve with them what I described above please?

  6. Can you please recommend me some best tutorial/course to learn how to create with Bricks in the best way?

  7. Isn’t there anyone here who maybe doesn’t like Bricks, has some lifetime add-ons for it and would think about selling it?

Thank you all very much in advance, if there is someone here who really knows and could give me some advice on what I mentioned above, I’ll gladly pay something for good advice, because otherwise my head will probably really explode.

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Hi there,

Bricks is a fantastic choice! It’s very good, and you’ll be creating beautiful sites in no time. For quick, hands-on training, I highly recommend checking out Kevin Geary’s ACSS 101 training series on YouTube. It’s an excellent resource.

Regarding your questions about add-ons, frameworks, and workflow, let’s break it down:

It sounds like you’re aiming for a balance between custom design (like the examples you shared) and quick, templated solutions. That’s a common need, and Bricks can handle both.

For simpler, faster websites, using pre-designed templates is a great approach. While Bricks itself doesn’t offer a huge library of ready-made full site templates like some other builders, you can find starter themes and template kits designed for Bricks. These provide a solid base that you can quickly customize. Look into options like the official Bricks child theme or search for “Bricks templates” online. You can also explore design libraries like Frames (which you mentioned).

Now, about Core + Brixies vs. ACSS + Frames:

  • Core + Brixies: This is a perfectly viable and cost-effective option, especially since budget is a concern. Brixies offers some helpful enhancements. You can absolutely build complex, beautiful sites with this combination.
  • ACSS + Frames: ACSS is a powerful CSS framework that can streamline your workflow, especially if you’re comfortable with CSS. Frames provides pre-built components and layouts that integrate well with ACSS. This combination can lead to faster development for some users, but it has a learning curve. If you’re already familiar with CSS and want a more structured approach, it might be worth exploring. However, it’s not strictly necessary. You can achieve similar results with Core Bricks and a good understanding of CSS.

Advanced Themer: This is a great tool, regardless of whether you choose ACSS or stick with Core. It enhances Bricks’ styling capabilities and can definitely speed up your workflow. It’s a worthy investment.

Responsiveness: Bricks itself has excellent responsive design features built-in. With a little practice, you’ll be able to make your sites look great on all devices.

Plugins:

  • Caching: WP Rocket or LiteSpeed Cache are both excellent choices for improving website speed. Choose the one that best suits your hosting environment.
  • SEO: Rank Math or Yoast SEO are popular and effective SEO plugins.
  • Essential Plugins: Beyond caching and SEO, consider plugins for forms (like Gravity Forms or Formidable Forms), image optimization (like ShortPixel or Imagify), and security (like Wordfence or Sucuri).

Your Proposed Stack: Core + Brixies + Motion.page is a good starting point. Focus on mastering Bricks’ core functionality first. You can always add ACSS or other frameworks later if you feel the need. Motion.page is excellent for animations.

Learning Resources: Besides Kevin Geary’s videos, look for tutorials and courses on YouTube and platforms like Udemy. The official Bricks community forum is also a valuable resource.

Don’t feel pressured to buy everything at once. Start with the essentials (Bricks, a good theme or template kit, and maybe Advanced Themer). As you gain experience, you’ll discover which tools best fit your workflow.

Regarding buying add-ons second-hand: Be cautious. Make sure you’re dealing with a reputable seller to avoid any licensing issues.

I hope this helps! Don’t hesitate to ask if you have any more questions.

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