WPBakery beta testing guide: steps & tips
Since 8.2 WPBakery now allows you to beta-test new features before they are officially released.
By participating in it, you can provide feedback and help shape future updates.
Important: Beta versions should only be tested on staging or development environments and never on live/production sites.
How to Get Beta Updates
There are two ways to access the beta release:
1) Enable Automatic Updates
To receive beta updates automatically:
- Go to WordPress Dashboard – WPBakery Page Builder – General Settings.
- Enable Beta Version to receive notifications when a new beta version is available.
Note: The beta version will install automatically if automatic updates are enabled.
2) Download Manually
If you prefer to install beta versions manually:
- Log in to the Customer Center.
- Navigate to the Beta section.
- Download the latest beta version.
How to Test WPBakery Beta Versions
Testing a beta version effectively helps ensure a smooth experience before its official release.
Below are key steps and best practices to follow when testing WPBakery.
1. Review the Changelog
- Locate the changelog.txt file inside the WPBakery plugin folder.
- The first entry in the file lists all new features, updates, and fixes included in the beta release.
- Compare this with your testing results to ensure that updates work as expected.
2. Clear Your Browser Cache
Always perform a hard reload to avoid cached assets interfering with your tests:
- Mac: Press Cmd + Shift + R
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + R
If issues persist, try testing in an incognito/private browser window.
Consider testing in multiple browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) to identify browser-specific issues
3. Prepare Test Content
Create test blog posts with:
- Title
- Text content
- Featured image
This helps in testing Post Grid and other post-related elements.
For image-related testing, upload images of various dimensions to the Media Library.
To automate post creation, use a plugin like FakerPress.
4. Test Page Builder Functionality
- Test all WPBakery elements, especially newly introduced ones.
- Drag, drop, and rearrange elements to ensure smooth interaction.
- Check frontend and backend editors for any inconsistencies.
- Check if existing custom CSS and JS is working properly.
5. Check for Console and PHP Errors
- Open Developer Tools in your browser (F12 or Right Click – Inspect).
- Check the Console tab for JavaScript errors that might indicate issues.
- Switch to the Network tab to look for failed requests (marked in red).
- Enable the WordPress debug log and check for errors.
6. Test Responsiveness
- Resize your browser window to check how elements adapt to different screen sizes.
- Test on actual mobile devices if possible, or use browser developer tool.
- Check different column layouts and ensure they stack correctly on smaller screens.
Submitting Feedback
After testing the latest beta version, we welcome you to submit your feedback by opening a ticket via the Customer Center.
To do so, use the category Others > I found a bug in the beta release.
In case you don't have access to our ticketing system, you can renew support tenure.