Building an enterprise site webinar hosted by Liquid Web

[00:00:04] Host
Hello, everyone! Welcome to How to Build an Enterprise Website Using WordPress and Kadence in 45 Days. Today, we’ll cover WordPress as an enterprise solution, introduce you to Kadence, discuss the recent Liquid Web redesign, and provide a brief demo.

I’m excited to introduce our speakers. First, we have Josh Liston, Director of Product Design and UX at Liquid Web. Josh led the redesign of the new Liquid Web website. And joining him is Ben Ritner, founder of Kadence and Product Director at StellarWP.

[00:02:37] Josh Liston
Thank you for the warm introduction. I’ll kick things off by setting the stage with the goals behind the Liquid Web redesign and my experience with WordPress for enterprise.

Before joining Liquid Web, I worked with Modern Tribe, an agency specializing in enterprise WordPress, where I worked on large-scale projects, including sites for Harvard and Little League. WordPress is well-suited for enterprise, thanks to its scalability, performance, and extensive ecosystem. It powers over 40 percent of the web, including major brands that rely on its robustness and user-friendly interface.

Kadence, in particular, builds on the strengths of WordPress by offering customization tools that are easy for anyone to use, whether you’re building a small business site or managing an enterprise-level platform.

[00:06:55] Ben Ritner
Great points, Josh. One huge advantage of WordPress is the availability of skilled developers. When you use WordPress, you’re tapping into a global talent pool of people who know the system well, unlike bespoke platforms that require specialized knowledge.

As for Kadence, it’s a toolkit that enhances WordPress by focusing on building effective, beautiful front-end experiences. Kadence provides all the tools for creating custom headers, testimonial boxes, and interactive elements, allowing you to manage dynamic content with ease. It’s designed to make WordPress powerful yet accessible for anyone looking to build a high-quality, performance-driven website.

[00:09:04] Josh Liston
Exactly. With Kadence, you can take your website as far as you want in terms of customization. When redesigning Liquid Web, we had several key goals: modernizing the design, ensuring the site could grow with us, and making it easy to maintain. Our timeline was ambitious — 45 days — and Kadence played a pivotal role in making that possible.

We started with design mockups in Figma, but soon found it easy to transition to directly building in Kadence. The design library in Kadence allowed us to set up reusable, brand-consistent patterns, which made collaboration across our team seamless. Content writers and designers could create new pages without needing developer input, which saved everyone a lot of time.

Kadence was incredibly user-friendly, so onboarding our team was quick. It enabled our copywriters to jump in and create pages on their own, which freed up developers to focus on complex tasks. In the end, it was a game-changer for maintaining quality and empowering our team.

[00:14:14] Ben Ritner
It’s so much easier to move quickly now, with multiple people able to make updates and edits.

[00:14:24] Josh Liston
Exactly! Today, we launched a new homepage hero without involving engineering. They’re working on other priorities for us, so they’re probably glad we could handle this independently. We did it all with content and design, which makes the website feel dynamic — like a true tool for reaching and communicating with users. It’s invaluable, honestly, and turned out just as we hoped. Alright, if you’re ready, we can jump into a demo of Kadence.

[00:15:11] Ben Ritner
Yes! Let’s dive in. I’ll start, and if I go off-track, let me know.

Josh Liston
Got it. I’m excited!

[00:15:26] Ben Ritner
One of the key problems Kadence addresses is that intimidating blank page — how do you even begin? Larger companies might have designers, but businesses of all sizes sometimes need a quick solution, especially for a sub-site or marketing page. So here, I’ve set up a blank WordPress installation and installed a couple of Kadence tools for this demo. Kadence integrates with OpenAI’s API to help jumpstart content creation.

We’ll set up an example digital marketing company, and I have a pre-written bio. Now I’ll add some keywords so AI has a good base. I’ll set a professional tone, and we’ll focus on generating blog posts and service descriptions. Kadence will search a free image library to generate visuals, and I can refine the search if needed. It even lets me choose alternative layouts and adjust color schemes and fonts, all before committing to anything.

After about 30 seconds, we’ll have a demo site ready to drop into WordPress. You can take pieces from it, get inspired, and make it your own. It’s a flexible approach, perfect for someone starting from scratch or those needing quick inspiration.

[00:20:23] Josh Liston
What I love about Kadence, compared to other AI site builders, is the intentional flow in decision-making. Instead of creating a site all at once, Kadence guides you step-by-step, so you’re always aware of what’s being generated. Other tools I’ve used tend to overwhelm you with content, but this feels much more manageable.

[00:21:07] Ben Ritner
Exactly. It’s currently importing, which usually takes about 30-45 seconds. Once it’s done, we can jump in and start making adjustments.

[00:21:35] Josh Liston
I also appreciate how it addresses “blank page syndrome.” These templates look professional right out of the box, and with some customization, they truly become your own. It’s powerful enough for both beginners and advanced users looking to push creative boundaries.

[00:22:26] Ben Ritner
Yes, I’ve even used it to build smaller local sites, and it’s rewarding to see clients evolving their sites over time, making them their own as they get more comfortable with the tools.

So now, instead of staring at a blank page, we have a structured design to work with. I can start editing the text, swap images, or use the free Pexels media library to find visuals. When you add images, they’re automatically optimized, and you can easily adjust the layout. The editor lets you click on text and start typing right away, which makes it incredibly intuitive.

Let’s create a new page to show how we can pull in full page layouts or specific design patterns — over 700 options — so you can quickly find what fits your needs. All it takes is a click, and the pattern drops right into your site, ready for customization. You can build a page by layering these patterns, creating a cohesive design. And with AI integration, if you’re stuck, it generates content ideas that match the digital marketing theme we set up earlier.

Each layout adapts to your global color scheme with three different style options, adding a lot of flexibility. You can also create your own pattern library — what we call a “pattern hub.” If you have a specific style guide, you can connect it to your site as a source of truth for your team. This way, anyone creating pages can use approved design elements, which is ideal for maintaining consistency, especially in enterprise settings.

We’ve also included settings to make adjustments simple, such as predefined padding and font sizes. You can customize these further if needed, and all changes are mobile-responsive.

[00:28:10] Josh Liston
This made it easy for us to move patterns from our design file into the site since it aligns so well with our design tools. We used our own pattern hub while still leveraging Kadence’s built-in patterns, giving us the best of both worlds — standardized web design elements plus our custom ones.

So, one of the things that sets Kadence apart is the range of blocks available — like progress bars, post blocks, tables of content, and more. For performance, Kadence only loads what you use, so even if there are 30 available blocks, only the ones active on a page will load, optimizing CSS and JavaScript for faster speeds. There’s also a lot of layout flexibility: you can add sliders, video backgrounds, and gradients, and set custom layouts for tablet and mobile views. This flexibility makes it easy to create anything from simple to complex layouts, and you can jump right into editing immediately.

Another helpful feature is the inline AI tool. You can ask it to suggest alternative text or enhance your copy directly in the editor, helping you stay in the creative flow. It’s especially useful for generating content ideas on the spot. This way, you can keep building without getting stuck on a blank page, and you can refine it later or get input from others.

It’s a great way to get closer to done, especially for people like me who don’t specialize in copywriting. Instead of placeholder text, you can generate something real, which is invaluable when you’re working solo or with a larger team. It helps set up the initial structure, and then a copywriter can come in to polish it. It also lets you adjust type sizes and refine the design as you go.

[00:31:44] Ben Ritner:
Yeah, totally. So, should we jump into questions, show some examples, or maybe go through a live demo?

[00:32:03] Host
Yes, a quick note — if anyone has questions, please drop them in the chat, and we’ll get to them shortly.

While we’re waiting for questions in the chat, Josh, I have one for you. I know the project had a tight timeline. Were there times you thought, “We might not make it?” And if so, when did that happen in the process?

[00:33:19] Josh Liston:
On that project, I was fortunate to have a bit of a head start since I was already familiar with Kadence. But I was also part of a very talented creative team at Liquid Web. They brought a great design vision to the table, and we had an excellent engineering team as well. So, even though the timeline was aggressive, I never doubted we’d make it. The design approach was straightforward because Kadence makes implementation smooth. For example, many of the blocks we used are just simple two-column setups with flexible content that our copywriters can easily adjust without going back to the design team. Kadence helps us work more collaboratively across roles, which makes the whole process faster and more efficient. So as long as the work is inclusive and collaborative, I feel confident in our ability to get it done.

[00:35:19] Host
Great! Let’s dive into some questions. Eric asks, “In terms of weight and speed, is Kadence more like Elementor or closer to something like GeneratePress?”

[00:35:34] Ben Ritner:
Good question. Kadence isn’t like Elementor, which is known for performance issues due to its extra layers and the way it loads assets. Kadence, on the other hand, is built right into the native WordPress block editor, so any WordPress performance improvements also benefit Kadence. We load only what’s needed per page, minimizing CSS and JavaScript for faster loading times. GeneratePress is a theme, not a page builder, with a simpler block package and limited options — around four blocks — so it doesn’t offer complex components like carousels or sliders. Kadence goes further with features like carousels that span off-page and other interactive elements, all while staying fast and optimized.

[00:37:26] Host
Along the same lines, here’s another question: “What are the advantages of Kadence versus Divi?”

[00:37:35] Ben Ritner:
Many of the advantages I mentioned about Kadence over Elementor also apply to Divi. Divi has been criticized for being resource-heavy and for loading jQuery and various JavaScript libraries on every page, which slows down initial load times. Divi has made improvements, but it’s still not fully integrated with WordPress in the same way. Kadence, by contrast, is built into the native WordPress experience, which makes it perform better and feel more intuitive for WordPress users. With fewer additional layers, you also reduce the risk of issues arising down the line.

[00:38:46] Josh Liston:
Another big advantage is onboarding. With Kadence, anyone familiar with WordPress can jump right in without learning a new interface. That’s important when you have a short timeline like 45 days. Kadence makes it easy to push updates and develop features without steep learning curves, so doing things the WordPress way but enhanced makes a big difference.

[00:39:29] Host:
Great points. Ben, you mentioned optimization plugins earlier. Christian has a question about security: “How do you handle the issue of continual plugin updates and security vulnerabilities in WordPress? With so many bad actors out there, how do you ensure protection over the long term?”

[00:39:53] Ben Ritner:
So I asked, are you using secure passwords and the basics of security? Often, when sites get hacked, it’s because they’re missing the minimum good practices — things like securing on a reputable host, using strong passwords, and only giving site access to the right people, such as admins.

When it comes to maintaining a WordPress site, there are a lot of approaches, from simple updates to more complex setups, like staging and production environments. Every system has its own way of expanding and growing with WordPress, but you also need a plan to manage it. WordPress provides easy-to-use tools for this, especially for security. For instance, at Stellar, we offer a product for live patching of security vulnerabilities and third-party plugins. But fundamentally, good decision-making along the way, like choosing reputable plugins, is key.

While you still need to maintain a WordPress site, the benefits of WordPress often outweigh the maintenance tasks.

[00:42:14] Host:
I’ve heard of managed WordPress. Any recommendations?

[00:42:19] Ben Ritner:
Yes, but like everything else, using a reputable host and keeping up with security basics is crucial. Without that, you risk exposure to potential malware.

[00:42:47] Host:
I’ve heard Nexcess managed WordPress hosting is pretty good. So, Josh, was there a moment during the process that was especially challenging?

[00:43:18] Josh Liston:
If you’re still screen sharing, navigate to any product page, like “What’s Cloud Hosting?” and then “Cloud Metal” in the top tab. For me, the real challenge was making robust content manageable for a team. This was built using Kadence blocks, so I approached it with the requirements in mind. The design was led by Matt CR, one of our Creative Directors at Liquid Web, and it was about making this manageable in WordPress.

With previous agency work, I’d probably build a dynamic custom field block for something like this. But with Kadence, we could quickly start structuring and grouping the right elements. It ended up being easy to maintain, which is a huge plus.

[00:45:52] Host:
Question from D. Bailey: How do you incorporate basic ecommerce capabilities in a WordPress plus Kadence setup?

[00:46:07] Ben Ritner:
Usually through WooCommerce, the most popular ecommerce platform for WordPress. If you need a simple cart and checkout, WooCommerce is the go-to. We also offer tools that integrate with WooCommerce for an improved experience.

[00:46:59] Host:
Do you need a lot of plugins to make Kadence work, similar to Elementor?

[00:47:12] Ben Ritner:
No, not really. Experienced WordPress users typically know the plugins they need, like SEO and security. Kadence handles a lot without requiring extra plugins. If you need custom work, you can even add straight HTML. Kadence keeps it streamlined.

[00:48:10] Host:
What does the admin interface look like for editing that block with the complicated header?

[00:48:29] Josh Liston:
If you’re referring to the “Cloud Metal” or “Managed Cloud” headers, that was initially a custom HTML block, though it could be done in Kadence.

[00:49:04] Host:
Can you access the new custom patterns built for Liquid Web?

[00:49:34] Josh Liston:
You could likely recreate them by browsing the site and rebuilding them in Kadence.

[00:50:04] Host:
Can you rebuild existing websites with Kadence?

[00:50:11] Ben Ritner:
Yes, absolutely. There are even live challenges where people try to recreate sites in Kadence. You can look at any site and configure it in Kadence, though there’s no simple import-export option. It’s an ongoing effort to develop tools for moving from one tool, like Elementor, to Kadence, but it’s complicated.

[00:52:11] Host:
What’s coming next for Kadence with AI?

[00:52:24] Ben Ritner:
We’re working on a tool where you describe a page you want, and it suggests layout options, then helps refine them based on your feedback. The idea is to get closer to exactly what you want, step-by-step. This will help you craft highly tailored pages efficiently with AI’s assistance.

[00:55:45] Host:
Since Kadence started before AI, was integrating AI the biggest pivot for you?

[00:56:10] Ben Ritner:
I think the biggest pivot was WordPress’s shift to the block editor. Moving to AI felt more like a progression, especially since we were already developing tools like starter templates.

[00:57:26] Host:
Josh, any features you’d like Kadence to add?

[00:57:36] Josh Liston:
I’m happy with Kadence’s direction. I like its focus on a design-friendly interface, and the AI features make a great starting point.

[00:59:31] Host:
Thanks for joining us, Ben. Any closing thoughts?

[00:59:50] Ben Ritner:
Go build cool stuff! It’s rewarding to see people use Kadence to create amazing sites.

[01:00:45] Host:
Thank you, everyone! The webinar will be available via recording, and you can check out our other webinars at Liquid Web’s webinar page. Thanks, Josh and Ben, for being part of this session.