What [vc_column] tells you about your website builder

[vc_column] is a shortcode — a WordPress command written as text in square brackets — that belongs to Visual Composer, a page builder plugin. If you see [vc_column] in your website's code or content, it means someone built your site using Visual Composer, not a standalone website builder like Wix or Squarespace.

This matters because it tells you which tool controls your page layout and which company provides support for it. Visual Composer is a plugin that runs inside WordPress, so your site is WordPress-based. The shortcode itself is just the behind-the-scenes instruction that makes columns appear on the page.

You might see [vc_column] if you're editing a page directly, looking at your site's database, or troubleshooting a broken layout. Understanding where it comes from helps you know who to contact when something stops working and which updates might affect your site.

Key Takeaways

  • [vc_column] is a shortcode created by Visual Composer, a page builder plugin for WordPress sites.
  • If your site contains [vc_column] code, your website runs on WordPress with Visual Composer installed, not a standalone builder.
  • Visual Composer shortcodes control how content is arranged into columns and sections on your pages.
  • When [vc_column] shortcodes break or stop displaying correctly, the problem usually lies with Visual Composer updates or WordPress compatibility issues.
  • Standalone builders like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify do not use [vc_column] because they do not run on WordPress.

Visual Composer and how it uses shortcodes

Visual Composer is a drag-and-drop page builder that works as a WordPress plugin. Instead of writing code by hand, you drag elements onto a canvas and Visual Composer writes the shortcodes for you. When you create a column layout, Visual Composer generates [vc_column] shortcodes in the background.

The shortcode itself is just text. WordPress reads [vc_column] and converts it into the actual column that appears on your live website. If you delete the shortcode by mistake or if Visual Composer becomes inactive, the column disappears and you see only the shortcode text on the page.

Visual Composer also creates related shortcodes like [vc_row] (which creates a row to hold columns) and [vc_column_text] (which holds text inside a column). These all work together to build the page structure.

Where you'll see [vc_column] in your WordPress site

You might encounter [vc_column] in three places. First, in the WordPress page editor itself — if you switch from the visual editor to the text editor, you'll see the raw shortcodes. Second, in your site's database if you export content or look at the raw page code. Third, on your live website if Visual Composer is deactivated or broken, which causes the shortcodes to display as plain text instead of rendering as columns.

If you see [vc_column] appearing on your website where visitors can see it, something has gone wrong. This usually means Visual Composer is no longer active, the plugin files are corrupted, or there's a conflict with another plugin or a WordPress update.

Other builders and whether they use [vc_column]

Standalone website builders do not use [vc_column] because they do not run on WordPress. Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, GoDaddy Website Builder, and Weebly all have their own internal systems for managing page layout. They generate their own code, not WordPress shortcodes.

Other WordPress page builders — like Elementor, Divi, and Beaver Builder — create their own shortcodes instead. Elementor uses [elementor-shortcode], Divi has its own shortcode system, and Beaver Builder uses [fl_builder_shortcode]. If you see a different shortcode, you're using a different builder.

Some older WordPress sites might use other plugins that also generate shortcodes, but [vc_column] specifically points to Visual Composer.

What to do if [vc_column] is showing on your website

If visitors can see [vc_column] text on your live website, start by checking whether Visual Composer is still active. Log into WordPress, go to Plugins, and look for Visual Composer in the list. If it says "Activate", the plugin is deactivated — click Activate to turn it back on.

If Visual Composer is already active, the plugin files might be corrupted. Try deactivating it, then reactivating it. If that doesn't work, deactivate it, delete it, and reinstall it from your plugin library or from the Visual Composer website.

If you recently updated WordPress or another plugin and [vc_column] started appearing, there may be a compatibility issue. Check whether Visual Composer has a newer version available and update it. If the problem continues, contact Visual Composer support with details about which WordPress version and which other plugins you're running.

Updating Visual Composer and avoiding shortcode problems

Visual Composer releases updates regularly, and WordPress does the same. When WordPress updates, sometimes Visual Composer needs an update too to stay compatible. Check your WordPress dashboard for plugin updates at least once a month.

Before updating Visual Composer, back up your website. Most hosting providers offer one-click backups in their control panel, or you can use a WordPress backup plugin. If an update breaks something, you can restore the backup and stay on the older version until the issue is fixed.

If you're not actively using Visual Composer anymore and have switched to a different page builder, you can deactivate and delete it. This removes the shortcodes from your site and reduces the number of plugins WordPress has to manage.

When to contact support about [vc_column] issues

If [vc_column] shortcodes are displaying on your website and reactivating the plugin doesn't fix it, contact Visual Composer support directly. They can tell you whether there's a known compatibility issue with your WordPress version or other plugins.

If you're not sure whether you're using Visual Composer, ask your web designer or hosting provider. They can check your site's plugin list and tell you which builder is installed. If you built the site yourself and can't remember, logging into WordPress and checking the Plugins section is the fastest way to find out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch from Visual Composer to a different page builder?

Yes, but you'll need to rebuild your pages. Visual Composer shortcodes won't convert to another builder's format. Export your content first so you have the text and images, then build new pages using your new builder. Some designers use migration plugins, but results vary.

Is Visual Composer still maintained and updated?

Yes. Visual Composer is owned by Codeinwp and continues to release updates. However, it's no longer the most popular WordPress page builder — Elementor and Divi have larger user bases. Visual Composer still works well if your site already uses it.

What happens if I delete Visual Composer without rebuilding my pages?

All [vc_column] shortcodes will display as plain text on your website, making pages look broken. Your content isn't lost — it's still in the database — but it won't display correctly until you either reactivate Visual Composer or rebuild the pages with a different builder.

Can I see [vc_column] shortcodes if I'm not a WordPress user?

No. If you use Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, or another standalone builder, you'll never see [vc_column] because those platforms don't use WordPress or shortcodes. You'd only see [vc_column] if your site runs on WordPress with Visual Composer installed.

Does [vc_column] affect my website's speed?

Shortcodes themselves don't slow down your site noticeably. However, Visual Composer as a plugin does add some overhead compared to a lightweight theme with no page builder. If speed is a concern, switching to a faster page builder or a code-based approach might help.