When the WordPress block editor, or Gutenberg, was released in December 2018 in WordPress version 5.0, there were mixed reactions to the editor, and we were determining what to expect. Nor could we have predicted how smooth the launch would be or how enthusiastically users and developers would embrace the new editor. And now, will the Gutenberg editor make or break WordPress?
First, What is Gutenberg Editor?
Named after Johannes Gutenberg, the brain behind the invention of a movable printing press over 500 years ago, Gutenberg editor is an upcoming editor for WordPress expected to WP Editor permanently in the editing of content on the websites running on the platform. Created with React, the editor is a client-side interface that builds up content using a system based on blocks.
If you are wondering whether the official rolling out of Guttenburg must affect your WordPress website or not, the answer is yes. Once released officially, the software will be integrated into WordPress core and become the official WordPress editor. Nevertheless, a free plugin will make the restoration possible if you want to restore the old editor, Classic Editor.
The difference between the Gutenberg WordPress editor and the previous WordPress editor is the new block-based approach to content creation.
Gutenberg makes it easy to work with content because each piece of content is a block. All paragraphs are blocks, all images are blocks, and all buttons are blocks. Third-party developers can also create custom blocks, closing the WordPress case. I want to embed a contact form. Instead of adding shortcut code like before, you can now add plugin blocks to your forms.
Advantages of the Gutenberg Editor
- WordPress has decided to adopt the Gutenberg editor at its core to enable its users to build content blocks with less hassle than when using the old editor. Once the new editor is released officially, WordPress theme developers can create themes for content block sites more easily. The editor will support such layouts by themes natively instead of using a visual editor. As a result, the software will reduce WordPress sites’ load times significantly because there will be no need for bulky content block plugins.
- Gutenberg is one of the core features, you don’t have to worry about compatibility issues.
As one of the main features, all developers will be able to include Gutenberg support in their plugins for better compatibility. - Gutenberg produces cleaner, lighter code. Still, a project built with Gutenberg will generally load faster than the same project built with Page Builder.
- Gutenberg provides a more visual design background
No need to use shortcuts to embed content – you get a consistent block system
What Are the Downsides of Gutenberg Editor?
- One more block. Manipulating text can be difficult in long messages. We recommend that you write in another editor and paste the text into Gutenberg when you are done.
- Gutenberg’s performance has improved significantly, but it can still lag behind with a large number of articles.
- Gutenberg doesn’t offer good visual editing as a page builder. It’s more affordable than traditional editors, but it’s not 100% perfect as a page builder.
- The Gutenberg editor does not have a tool to display a mobile version within the editor itself, and the ability to switch from a boxed layout to a full-width layout is also nice. There are also no tools to manage mobile versions.
More Time is Need
Site owners and developers need more time to prepare for the change since it is costly and requires people to learn more about the proposed new technologies. Besides, ample time is a need for the WordPress community to understand the effects of the change. The contribution of different WordPress users to the Gutenberg editor is paramount for its success. But how can they make such a contribution satisfactorily when they know just a little or nothing about it?
People are resistant to changes, and Gutenberg editor won’t be exceptional. Before they catch the grip, new WordPress users and experts will encounter various challenges while using the editor. However, we hope that the majority will be able to adapt quickly.
Final Words
The Gutenberg editor in WordPress introduces a new way to edit content via blocks. This is part of the purpose of WordPress, to allow you to edit your site and improve the user experience. Plus, blocks make it easy to customize your website.
In conclusion, it is not easy to say whether Project Gutenberg will be a complete success for WordPress or not, but time will tell. What do you think of the Gutenberg editor? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
