Table of Contents
Gutenberg vs The Classic Editor
What is the Block System Gutenberg Uses?
Gutenberg Block Types
Editing, Moving and Styling
Advanced Gutenberg Features
Full Site Editing (FSE) and Themes
Third-Party Block Plugins
Accessibility in Gutenberg
Introduced in 2018, Gutenberg is an open-source, block editor for WordPress that turns content creation into a flexible, visual interface. It was released as the default block editor in WordPress 5.0 which enables you to build pages and posts with independent blocks that are easy to update and rearrange. As such, Gutenberg powers millions of WordPress websites, making design choices simpler for everyone from beginners to pros. So, if you are one WordPress version 5.0 or higher, you should already have access to Gutenberg.
Gutenberg vs The Classic Editor
Back in 2018, when Gutenberg was rolled out, it faced some initial push back, in part due to the fact that many WordPress users really had grown accustomed to the beloved WordPress Classic Editor. The Classic Editor in WordPress packed everything into one big text box, like typing in a basic word doc. You add images or lists through buttons that insert code. Gutenberg flips that script. It uses blocks as building units that can help you to create a custom structure.
What is the Block System Gutenberg Uses?
Fundamentally, Gutenberg treats your content like a series of standalone pieces. That means a paragraph stands alone as a block. And so does a photo or video embed. You can resize, restyle, or delete each one without touching the rest. This modularity keeps things organized, especially on longer pages. With Gutenberg, no need to scroll through HTML to insert, edit or replace a single image. Blocks make every edit precise and quick.
Gutenberg Block Types
Blocks fall into a several key groups, each one suited to different tasks.
Text Blocks
Content blocks are designed to handle text in body copy including paragraphs, headings and lists.
Media Blocks
Media blocks are used for images, image galleries and videos, from your WordPress Media Library.
Embed Blocks
Embed blocks pull in external content from sources that include YouTube videos or social media feeds.
Design Blocks
Design blocks are great for controlling the layout and visual structure of content, including columns, spacers, separators and buttons.
Widgets Blocks
Widgets blocks can be used for incorporating traditional WordPress widgets, such as archives, calendars, categories lists, and social icons, directly into the page content.
Theme Blocks
Theme blocks are essential for full website editing, as they utilize dynamic blocks that pull website-specific information like the website logo, title, navigation menus and post details.
Editing, Moving and Styling
Gutenberg’s interface is great in how you are able to handle blocks…for example, drag one up or down to reorder. There are also inline tools that pop up as you type. For more significant customizations, you can open up the sidebar settings to adjust colors, spacing, or alignment.
Want to switch a paragraph to a quote? Simply select the block, hit the transform icon in the toolbar and pick quote. Your words shift format instantly, with no retyping. This flexibility saves you time and effort. It is literally that simple.
Advanced Gutenberg Features
Once you get a hang of the basics, Gutenberg unlocks tools that can kick your workflow up a notch or two. It goes past simple inserts to offer patterns and reusables for repeated elements. These features help you to maintain a consistent look across your website. Plus, they tie into broader WordPress changes, like editing the entire theme visually.
Reusable Blocks and Block Patterns
Reusable blocks let you save a chunk of content once and then insert it anywhere else. Build a footer with contact info or a pricing table, then reuse it on multiple pages. It updates everywhere if you edit the original—which can be ideal for site-wide changes. Block patterns are pre-built layouts, say a two-column testimonial setup. They combine blocks smartly, saving hours on design.
How to Create a Reusable Block
To create a reusable block in Gutenberg, build your call-to-action section with a heading, button and image. Select all, then click the three dots, and choose “Create Reusable Block.” Name it, save and insert via the block inserter next time. You may even want to try it on a test page first to see if it turns out the way that you want it.
Full Site Editing (FSE) and Themes
Gutenberg now stretches to full site editing, or FSE. You can tweak templates and styles right in the editor, with no code required. Block-based themes like Twenty Twenty-Three can make this easy to do because they are built around blocks from the get go. Edit your header or sidebar as blocks, just like a post.
Third-Party Block Plugins
Plugins like Kadence Blocks or Spectra bring extra flexibility to Gutenberg. Search for “Gutenberg extensions” in the WordPress plugin directory. Install one, activate and new blocks appear in your inserter. They boost SEO with structured layouts too. Just test for conflicts first.
Accessibility in Gutenberg
Gutenberg prioritizes accessibility. Screen readers navigate blocks smoothly, with clear labels for each. Moreover, Gutenberg enables more robust keyboard shortcuts, Alt text for images and semantic headings that help your website get a boost in usability.
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