The world of content management systems (CMS) has come a long way since the early days of the internet, and WordPress is no exception. With the release of the Gutenberg editor in 2018, the platform took a giant leap forward, leaving behind the Classic editor that many users had come to know and love. Despite initial hesitation, the Gutenberg editor has proven itself to be a better solution in many ways. In this blog post, we’ll explore the key reasons why Gutenberg is superior to the Classic editor and why it’s time to make the switch if you haven’t already.
The Block Editor: A Modular Approach to Content Creation
At the heart of Gutenberg’s success is its block-based approach. The editor allows users to build content by adding and arranging various types of “blocks” – from simple text paragraphs to images, videos, and more. This modular approach offers unparalleled flexibility, enabling users to create complex, media-rich layouts without needing HTML or CSS knowledge. On the other hand, the Classic editor relies on a more traditional WYSIWYG approach, which limits customization options and can be cumbersome when working with media.
Improved User Experience and Interface
The Gutenberg editor boasts a clean and intuitive interface that makes content creation more efficient and enjoyable. With its drag-and-drop functionality, users can easily move blocks around, making layout adjustments a breeze. Additionally, the editor provides a contextual toolbar for each block, ensuring that relevant editing tools are always readily accessible. In contrast, the Classic editor’s cluttered interface and limited customization options can lead to a more frustrating user experience.
Enhanced Mobile Responsiveness
With the rise in mobile device usage, ensuring your website is mobile-responsive is more critical than ever. Gutenberg’s block-based approach inherently supports responsive design, allowing content to reflow seamlessly across various screen sizes and devices. On the other hand, the Classic editor’s static layouts often require additional CSS tweaks to ensure optimal mobile performance.
Extensibility and Customization
One of Gutenberg’s most powerful features is its extensibility. Developers can create custom blocks tailored to specific website requirements, which can be easily integrated into the editor. This allows for a wide range of unique and specialized content, catering to the diverse needs of users. While offering some customization through shortcodes and plugins, the Classic editor lacks the same level of flexibility and extensibility.
Future-Proofing Your Content
As WordPress continues to evolve, it’s essential to stay ahead of the curve and embrace new features and technologies. By adopting the Gutenberg editor, you’re not only improving your content creation process but also ensuring that your website remains compatible with future WordPress updates. Sticking to the Classic editor increases technical debt and may result in compatibility issues, as it’s no longer being actively developed.
The Gutenberg editor offers a superior content creation experience with its modular approach, improved user interface, mobile responsiveness, extensibility, and future-proofing capabilities. While the Classic editor served its purpose in the past, it’s time to embrace the Gutenberg revolution and unlock the true potential of your WordPress website. The benefits far outweigh any initial learning curve, making the switch a worthwhile investment in your website’s long-term success.
In the spirit of transparency, this site uses a combination of page builder and Gutenberg. All articles use Gutenberg, and pages rely on the builder. As Gutenberg matures, this will likely transition to 100% Gutenberg.