Why I Switched to Component-Based Design for Kansas Client Projects
A few years back, I was building every website like it was a custom piece of art. Every button, every section, every layout decision was made from scratch. It felt thorough. It felt professional. But honestly? It was exhausting—and expensive for clients.
That’s when I started exploring component-based design, and it completely changed how I approach projects at MKS Web Design. Instead of reinventing the wheel on every site, I now build with reusable, modular components that speed up development, improve consistency, and make maintenance way easier.
Here’s why I made the switch—and why it’s been a game-changer for my Kansas clients.
What component-based design actually means
Component-based design is exactly what it sounds like: breaking a website down into small, reusable pieces. Instead of designing entire pages as one-off layouts, you create individual components—things like cards, buttons, hero sections, testimonial blocks—that can be mixed and matched across the site.
Think of it like building with LEGO bricks instead of sculpting clay. You still get a unique result, but the process is faster, more flexible, and way easier to modify later.
Faster development without sacrificing quality
One of the biggest advantages is speed. When I’m working on a new client project, I’m not starting from zero. I have a library of pre-built, tested components ready to go. Need a pricing table? Done. Want a testimonial carousel? Already built.
This doesn’t mean every site looks the same. Components are designed to be flexible—colors, spacing, typography, and layouts all adjust based on the brand. But the underlying structure? That’s rock-solid and proven.
For Kansas business owners who need a professional site quickly, this approach cuts development time significantly without cutting corners on design or functionality.
Easier updates and maintenance
Here’s something I didn’t expect when I first adopted this workflow: maintenance became way easier. When a component is used across multiple pages or sites, fixing a bug or improving a feature means updating it once—and the change rolls out everywhere.
Before, if I wanted to tweak button styles or adjust mobile spacing, I’d have to hunt through dozens of pages making manual edits. Now? One change, done.
This is especially valuable for clients who want to grow their site over time. Adding new pages or sections doesn’t require reinventing design patterns. We just pull in the components that fit and customize as needed.
Consistency across the entire site
One problem I used to run into with fully custom builds was visual drift. Over time, spacing would get inconsistent, buttons would look slightly different, typography would evolve randomly. It wasn’t intentional—it just happened.
Component-based design solves this. When every button on the site uses the same component, they all look and behave the same. When every hero section follows the same structure, the site feels cohesive instead of patched together.
This level of consistency makes sites feel more polished and professional—something I’m always aiming for with my MKS Web Design projects.
How I build components in WordPress
Most of my component work happens in Bricks Builder and Oxygen. Both tools make it easy to save sections, templates, and elements as reusable blocks. I also lean heavily on ACF Pro for structured content and dynamic fields, which keeps everything flexible without getting messy.
For content editing, I use Gutenberg as the client-facing layer. Clients get a simple editing experience while I control the design structure in the background. I wrote more about this approach in my post on integrating Gutenberg with Bricks and Oxygen.
Not every project needs this approach
To be clear, component-based design isn’t the right fit for every project. If someone needs a completely custom, one-of-a-kind design with unique interactions on every page, this system might feel limiting.
But for the majority of small to mid-sized business sites I work on—especially in Kansas where clients want reliable, maintainable websites—this workflow is perfect. It balances creativity with efficiency, and clients get a site that’s easier to manage long-term.
Final thoughts
Switching to component-based design was one of the best workflow changes I’ve made. It saves time, reduces errors, and makes websites more consistent and scalable. If you’re building WordPress sites—or looking for someone who does—this approach is worth exploring.
Feel free to reach out if you want to talk shop or need help with a project.
— Anthony Richter
