WordPress recently released a major update in the form of version 5.0. Most WordPress core updates have little to no noticeable effect on how you interact with you website. This release is different.
WordPress 5 introduces a new way of adding and editing content with the ‘Gutenberg’ editor. Instead of pages and posts being built with a single content editor and a bunch of added custom fields specific to each template, the Gutenberg editor allows you to create flexible page layouts by adding and rearranging blocks on a page. If you have used Squarespace or Wix in the past, this concept may be familiar.
It’s always a good idea to keep your website up to date, so we do recommend upgrading to WordPress 5. However, you may find that some of your website content is no longer accessible and will need to take additional steps to ensure compatibility.
Along with the core 5.0 update, WordPress released a plugin called “Classic Editor”. You can install and activate this plugin to revert the functionality and appearance of the editing workflow back to the old style. This way, you can update without worrying about the additional work necessary to make your website compatible with the Gutenberg editor. As with any update, we recommend starting by backing up your website in the event that something goes wrong, or that the new core software is not compatible with an existing plugin.
Moving forward, custom WordPress themes will be built with the Gutenberg editor in mind. Instead of creating a fixed number of rigid page templates with custom fields, developers will begin creating blocks for you to add, customize, and rearrange on a page in any way you need.
We are really looking forward to working with these new enhancements and the freedom they will allow our clients in creating compelling, and attractive, page layouts.