Assistant Pro
If you’re in the business of creating or maintaining websites regularly, Assistant Pro can be a valuable tool by saving time and making tasks easier. You don’t have to download, upload or install files on separate websites. Instead, you can keep everything in the same place and import all files when needed using the Assistant plugin.
The most common method of handing files is using third-party storage services like Google Drive. But that is not the best way for WordPress workflows since you have to download, upload files, and distribute the links you create. This can be time-consuming and complicated when dealing with multiple files.
This Assistant Pro review will show how it can help you streamline your WordPress design workflow and make life easier.
Table of Contents
Assistant Pro Review
Using Assistant Pro, you can easily import, export, and store theme settings, creative assets, as well as page builder templates across websites using a cloud storage account.
Assistant Pro is compatible with any WordPress post type. You can upload template parts, full-page templates, theme customizer settings, posts, pages, image files, and color codes. PNG, jpg, gif, and SVG are currently supported file types.
Assistant Pro can be described as a Dropbox-like service tailored for WordPress developers and power users.
It is possible to link assets stored on your cloud storage to the websites you administer using the Assistant free plugin. Even if you don’t connect the plugin with your cloud account, you can still use the Assistant plugin as a standalone solution to assist you with managing media, pages, etc., from the frontend.
A free version allows one user account and access to public libraries. But if you want to keep your files and assets in a private library, you can pay for the premium account, which costs $15 for a single user account.
The Assistant Pro can simplify your life if you manage several websites or design websites professionally. To avoid the time-consuming procedure of continually exporting, importing, and saving files, you can organize them in cloud libraries.
Assistant Pro Cloud
Assistant Pro cloud is a cloud-based file sharing solution for WordPress websites structured into libraries containing creative assets. Library files can be shared between an individual website and the cloud, allowing access to other websites, as well as the Assistant Pro cloud team members and cloud users.
Additionally, you can save page builder content in the cloud along with photos and color codes.
While the team behind Beaver Builder developed the Assistant Pro, you can also use it with other page builders such as Elementor, Divi, and Gutenberg. You can save sections, templates, and modules to use across websites.
Features:
- You can easily access, share, and organize design assets across sites.
- WordPress assets can be imported, exported, and saved to a file-sharing cloud service.
- Manage WooCommerce content, WordPress content (posts, pages, media, and custom post types), Beaver Builder templates, and Beaver Themer layouts.
- Store page builder templates for Divi, Visual Composer, Elementor, etc.
Libraries
A library is a collection of creative assets that can be shared through the Assistant Pro Cloud. Both the Assistant Pro Cloud and the plugin allow you to create libraries.
In the Assistant Pro Cloud UI, you can add media and create color preferences to any library. Creative materials on your site can be added to a library through the Assistant plugin, which is then shared via your Assistant Pro cloud account.
Depending on your Assistant Pro Cloud subscription, libraries fall into one of three categories:
- Private Library – This feature is exclusive to those who have personal or team accounts. Not visible to the community.
- Shared Library – If someone clicks on your user handle, the whole community will be able to see your shared libraries.
- Team Library – The library is not owned by a single person, but it is used collaboratively by a group of people who share authorization for the library’s resources.
With the Assistant cloud storage, you can save, upload, and use multiple creative assets such as posts, images, pages, archives, custom post types, Gutenberg blocks, page builder content, colors, and customizer settings.
You can save starter files or any other content on the cloud storage and use it on another website, speeding up the process.
Collections
Similar to how WordPress tags are used, the Collection functionality allows you to organize library assets. Managing asset files this way is great because files can be referred to multiple places.
If you have more than one library, you can group all of your creative assets into one or more collections. A library’s assets can be viewed by asset type (the default) or collection.
Team Members Access
Assistant Pro has a wide range of capabilities specifically intended to help teams work more efficiently. Multiple teams can be created, and libraries can be restricted to particular groups.
You can also configure that each user has unique access controls. Sharing and organizing files with coworkers is a breeze with this function. The team plan starts with three team member accounts, but you can purchase extra accounts for $5 each.
Community
Access to the Assistant Pro community allows you to share your assets, explore and use the files provided by other community users.
If you have a free account, all of your assets will be publicly available. If you want to restrict files on your cloud, you can do that with a team or personal plan.
A community feature is in the works and will be available soon.
Assistant Plugin
The Assistant plugin provides a sidebar on the page’s frontend. You can access the backend of your site from your frontend pages, thanks to the sidebar. Using the Assistant plugin, you can also store and share your creative materials in the Assistant Pro Cloud.
You can link your Assistant Pro libraries to your websites using the Assistant plugin. Templates (or layouts), images, vector graphics, and colors are stored in libraries, which act as cloud storage for your website design work. All of your WordPress sites can access the same library after setting up.
Features:
- Access the Assistant UI from any frontend page (post, archive, term, etc.)
- On the home screen, you can see the posts you’ve recently modified.
- Use the content app to quickly locate pages, posts, and custom post types.
- Drop files on the Media app to add them to the WordPress media library.
- Approve, reply, flag spam, or trash comments with the Comments app.
- Use the Updates app to keep track of plugin and theme updates.
- Add custom labels to pages and posts for better organization.
As a standalone plugin, Assistant works with any WordPress site but Beaver Builder and Assistant work together seamlessly. For more info about Assistant features and what you can do with it, I suggest you check this article.
How Does Assistant Work?
The Assistant plugin is simple to set up and get started with. Installing and connecting the Assistant plugin to your Assistant Pro library is a breeze.
Go to Plugins > Add New in your WP admin panel. Search for Assistant and install it. Connecting the plugin to your Assistant Pro account is simple, but you will need to register an account.
Once you have your Assistant Pro account, click on Assistant in your Admin Dashboard. You can find it in the top admin header. Go to the app or Libraries tab and click on the Connect to Pro button.
Once you’ve logged into your account, you’re all set. It’s time to get started using the cloud library.
You can manage assets from the Assistant Pro interface, but you can also perform many frontend sidebar operations. To open the sidebar, you first need to click on either the Assistant Pro logo or the pencil symbol in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
It’s easy to upload your files to a cloud by going to your Assistant sidebar and opening the Libraries app. By selecting the plus sign and entering a meaningful name, you can begin creating a new library. You can also upload your assets to an existing library.
Once you’ve uploaded files, you can view them from any connected website via the same Assistant account or by logging into your Assistant cloud account.
Apps
As long as you have the Assistant plugin connected, you can manage and access your assets from both the library page and the website.
Apps are the plugin’s individual modules, each having a distinct purpose.
The sidebar interface is broken up into six apps:
- Home app – In this tab, you can get a summary of the site’s media and content.
- Content app – Let’s you manage the website content, including pages, posts, WooCommerce products, and page builder content.
- Media app – Enables you to organize and browse through your various media files. It also allows you to upload new media files.
- Comments app – You can delete, approve, or spam comments using this app.
- Updates app – Manage and keep your plugins and themes up to date.
- Libraries app – Link your website and have access to your cloud-based assets.
- Apps & Settings – Customize the labels and overall look of the Assistant plugin sidebar.
In the sidebar, you can effortlessly switch between apps by clicking on the app you want to use. You can edit and access your assets and libraries in the Assistant pro account.
Page Builder Integrations
The Assistant plugin and Assistant Pro Cloud provide integration for Beaver Builder and Beaver Themer. You can access saved content, Beaver Builder templates, and Beaver Themer layouts.
From the Assistant’s Content App, you can access the saved content and Themer layouts for your Beaver Builder site.
It also works with the Gutenberg editor letting you save and access reusable blocks from Libraries.
The Assistant Pro Cloud platform also lets you add content from other popular page builders like Elementor, Divi, and Visual Composer.
To add content from a third-party page builder, use the Content or Libraries apps to add posts and pages with the third-party page builder layouts.
You can also add templates to supported page builders. Depending on the page builder you’re using, the way the Content app items are organized will differ.
WooCommerce Support
The Assistant plugin helps you create WooCommerce content types like orders, products, and coupons.
The Assistant Pro Cloud, on the other hand, allows you to integrate WooCommerce into the content. The Content App can be used to create WooCommerce content.
Pricing Plans
Assistant Pro is not included in any Beaver Builder pricing plans (Standard, Pro, or Agency) or in Beaver Themer. Assistant Pro has to be bought separately.
The Assistant free version comes with one user account, unlimited libraries, connectivity with unlimited sites, one-click import, and the option to create only public libraries.
With the Personal plan ($15 per month), you get everything in the free plan and private personal libraries to store files. You can choose to save assets in personal or public libraries.
To use Assistant Pro for your whole team, you’ll need a Team plan that costs $20 per month. You get everything from the Personal plan and with three user accounts. Every additional user account costs $5. You get a team account and access to private team libraries.
Premium support is included in Personal and Team plans. Use the Assistant plugin help forum if you’re a free user. You also have access to comprehensive plugin documentation to get started or fix any issues you run across.
Assistant Pro Review Verdict
You can benefit from Assistant Pro even if you’re a freelancer or developer that creates websites for customers. As a result, you’ll be able to devote more time to more important duties rather than dealing with file transfers.
Your project’s needs and the sensitivity of the contents will determine whether you should upgrade to the premium plan or not. The paid plan is recommended if you don’t want to risk sharing your assets or data with others since you receive personal libraries.
You can use the free plan initially and upload files to public servers if you don’t mind doing so. In this case, other users can go to your profile to download/duplicate your assets.
To get started, download the free Assistant plugin and connect it to your Assistant Pro cloud account. If you are not sure about going with a premium plan, you can start with the free version, and if you need pro features, you can easily upgrade to a paid plan.
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