Gutenberg is the new editor in WordPress . WordPress is a Content Management System software that is used to create and manage a website. As you are already aware, websites contain mostly written words. Such words are written in the WordPress editor. This editor is like Ms Word document with the ability to bold, make italic, align text etc. making it easy to write and edit posts. The is the known as Classic Editor of WordPress. WordPress themes are built by a team of web development experts. Themes for different purposes like a shop, blog, photos, etc. are bought blank before words are added to it. Therefore, there are multiple WordPress themes that you can choose from for the specific website you want to create.
What is the Site Editor in WordPress called?
Since 2018 starting with version 5, WordPress has added a plugin to themes called the Gutenberg plugin. This adds even more functionality to your WordPress theme. This means making our work easier.
The first time you use Gutenberg, you may not like it, especially if you are used to the classic editor. But over time you’ll find it much easier to use. The Gutenberg plugin is made up of blocks for everything you do in WordPress, not to mention the frequently performed tasks like
- adding a title,
- creating a paragraph
- Spacing
- Adding
- an image
- a video
- Quotes
- Table of contents
- lists
- Move text up and down
- Dragging and dropping
- Uploading
- Uses of the Sidebar
When in a page or post, look at the top left corner of your dashboard and click the plus sign this will reveal the default blocks in a directory that came with your theme. Hover over a block to see what it does. Place the cursor where you want a block to be, click on the chosen block in the directory and it appears in your post.
Your WordPress theme will come with the latest version of Gutenberg.
Where are the blocks in WordPress?
If you’re using an older version of WordPress you can do various things to have access to the new Gutenberg blocks, like;
[1] install a separate Gutenberg plugin from the plugins registry or library.
[2] Update your current wordpress theme to a newer version or better still invest in a modern wordpress theme that comes inbuilt with Gutenberg
[3] toggle between the classic and block editors whilst editing a post or page, if you have both
Each block comes with the possible uses for that particular block. For example a table block will come with options to add colour, and change columns, rows etc.
You may not need all these new features. If you just want to use basic features of adding text, images, paragraphs, Gutenberg’s user-friendliness in my opinion. makes it faster.
Benefits of gutenberg wordpress editor
- Easy to learn
- Easy to use
- Helps you work faster
- Easy for beginners
Differences between Gutenberg and other WordPress Page Builders
What are page builders you may ask? Before WordPress introduced the Gutenberg block builder, there were in existence page builders for WordPress sites. These were developed by individual developers, are sold and downloaded unto WordPress themes.
I’ve tried my hands on a few and my experience is that they make your web pages very attractive. Some desirable features are drag and drop elements, multiple templates to choose from for landing page and webinar creation, to name a few. Much as most of their features are desirable, they are not free. Their pages also load slowly. Some, to name a few are
- Elementor
- thrive architect
- Divi
- Seedprod
Page Builders integrate with Gutenberg and they both have similarities and differences. You’ll have to check out some for yourself and choose which ones to use based on your needs and preferences.
You now know what is the Gutenberg Block Editor for WordPress to start using for your posts. And also gained an understanding of a Content Management System software. (CMS) If you enjoyed this post, please share, and leave me a comment. .
Watch video of Gutenberg Block Editor Below.
Watch the second part on my YouTube Channel. https://youtu.be/VVM0qvjTP74?si=zLjjDCjO4oe8r38c