WordPress Support UK

WordPress 5.0: What is Gutenberg?

what-is-gutenberg

what-is-gutenbergWhat is Gutenberg?

WordPress didn’t get to become the leading content management system in the world by sheer chance. Since their inception back in 2003, WordPress have delivered several different upgrades. While some have been mere tweaks, others have been larger overhauls of the service designed to make things easier for users. That is exactly where the latest version falls, as WordPress 5.0. which is referred to as Gutenberg, is a major change that should take the website creating software to all new levels. Let’s take a closer look at Gutenberg and what it has to offer.

With Gutenberg, WordPress have completely revamped their editor, and while new users will jump right into this new way of working, those who have used the previous iterations of the CMS will have noticed a few changes. Older versions of WordPress used an editor known as TinyMCE, which is now being phased out in favor of Gutenberg. Any of you who have used WordPress in the past already know that they use a block-building process to create a new website, which is where the user adds plug-ins and elements, which are basically the blocks to create a single powerful website.

Gutenberg is a block editor that is already being used by the likes of Instagram and Wix. It is actually the inroads being made by Wix and Createspace as site builders that many believe have prompted WordPress to make the change to their editing process. For now, Gutenberg is available as a plug-in on WordPress, with regular updates being made to add new elements and features are added to deliver a more powerful editing experience for the average user. It’s going to be tough to figure out just how good this new addition is going to be until we get the full version, but the early signs are definitely very good.

When using Gutenberg, you will have access to several different blocks that can be used to customize the content being added to your website. These range from common blocks that include your text and audio settings, as well as formatting and layout blocks that define how your finished site will look visually. Also part of the Gutenberg set-up are embeds that include audio elements such as Spotify and MixCloud, as well as social media sites, polls, and a host of other goodies designed to add killer content to your website. Images and videos are a huge part of the online world nowadays, so this is an important addition.

There is going to be a little bit of a learning curve when using Gutenberg, especially if you have been using WordPress for a while and were used to the old way of doing things. For now, it is possible to toggle Gutenberg off and on without seeing any effects on your finished website, so there is plenty of time for users to come to grips with the new version and make use of all the great things that Gutenberg will offer now and in the future.

Alison is the Director and Founder of WP Fiddly Bits, the WordPress Website Maintenance experts, and contributes to the WP Fiddly Bits WordPress blog. She also uses her background in marketing to help clients get found everywhere online.

Share:

More Posts

Send Us A Message