Year in Review

Spectra

The Spectra website builder has also seen significant updates this year. Not least the release of a premium version, Spectra Pro.

Spectra is currently at version 2.9.1 and has been consistently updated to keep up with Astra and ensure full compatibility with WordPress 6.4.

Improvements to Spectra include:

New Image Gallery Options

Spectra now supports lightbox effects for images, complete with customization options so your images stand out and attract the attention they deserve.

Significant Security Improvements

The entire Spectra codebase has been analyzed and improved wherever possible to ensure it’s fast and as secure. Your security is our top priority!

Global Block Styles

Global Block Styles make it easy to create a coherent look by implementing standard colors, typography and other elements, while maintaining the freedom to customize individual blocks.

Enhanced Site Visibility

Spectra recently introduced enhanced site visibility, which includes a new coming soon mode and maintenance mode. Both can vastly improve the visitor experience.

Sticky Containers

You now have the option to create sticky containers on posts and pages so they follow the user as they scroll. Great for highlighting special offers, signup forms or other engagement options.

New Block and Button Options

New block and button settings include an ‘inherit from theme’ option that allows button blocks to take their style from the theme you’re using.

Spectra Pro

Spectra Pro builds on the free Spectra plugin in all the right ways. It adds some powerful building blocks, support for dynamic content, premium templates, animations, social media blocks and more.

Highlights of Spectra Pro include:

Popup Builder

You no longer need a dedicated popup builder if you use Spectra Pro as one is included. It uses the same visual builder as Spectra to make short work of creating engaging popups.

Loop Builder

Create custom posts or product loops with the all-new loop builder in Spectra Pro. Select your assets, create the loop, set the timer and customize as you see fit.

Dynamic Content Support

WordPress is all about dynamic content so it’s natural that Spectra Pro supports it. Display multiple content types dynamically across posts and pages with this feature.

Animations Extension

Enable subtle, scroll-based animations to pages in seconds. Control the delay, duration, type and smoothness of the animation for maximum engagement.

Countdown Block

Nothing builds anticipation like a countdown timer. Promote a sale, event, product launch or whatever you like with this new block.

VIP Support

Spectra Pro users enjoy VIP support available 24/7. WordPress experts are ready to help you with any question or challenge you face when using Spectra Pro.

Even though Spectra Pro has only just launched, it has already been updated to version 1.1.1 with essential fixes and optimisations.

What’s Next For Spectra and Spectra Pro?

Both Spectra and Spectra Pro will see lots more development in 2024. Things to look out for include an enhanced block editor, motion effects, the inclusion of more blocks into Global Block Styles, animated headings and flexible block positioning within blog posts.