If your website runs on WordPress, get ready because the new WordPress 5.0 is a game changer. WordPress 5.0 includes the long-awaited Gutenberg editor that functions much like a drag-and-drop website builder.
Gutenberg will replace the TinyMCE text block editor that you’re used to, and will be included in all new WordPress hosting installs after the official launch date. In short, WordPress is going to look totally different than what you’re accustomed to.
The new editor is called a 'block editor' in that you can select 'blocks' – such as images, paragraphs, headings, pull quotes, and more – and place them wherever you want on the page. The Gutenberg editor breaks the typical page layout, allowing you to create multimedia-rich pages and layouts without any special coding experience.
Plus, you can use 'custom blocks' to create more unique features and templated content for your website.
Some of our favorite features include:
- Use blocks to insert, rearrange, and style content exactly how you want.
- Create rich multimedia layouts, even with limited technical experience.
- Create custom-designed pages with the blocks exactly where you want them.
- More functionality with less plugins.
When’s Gutenberg coming?
The new WordPress 5.0 and Gutenberg editor was released on December 6, 2018. You’ll get instant access to Gutenberg after installing the new WordPress 5.0 update. Double check to see if you’ve signed up for automatic updates. All new WordPress installs on HostGator will come with WordPress 5.0 automatically.
Learn more about optimizing your site for WordPress 5.0 on our knowledge base.
What if I don’t like it?
If you aren’t ready for the Gutenberg editor, you can install the Classic Editor plugin, which is the editor you’re familiar with. You can install it as the default editor, even after you upgrade to WordPress 5.0.
We don’t know how long the Classic Editor will be supported, but we do foresee that at some point, you will be heavily encouraged to upgrade to Gutenberg. For example, new plugins and features could be compatible with Gutenberg, but not the classic editor.
How do I prepare for Gutenberg?
Familiarize yourself with the new editor. Check out the live demo on the WordPress website.
For advanced users, you can install the WordPress Beta Tester plugin on your site to see how your site design will look or function with the new editor. If you have a test site or staging tier, consider setting up a test site with Gutenberg installed in order to play with the new editor. You may see some changes to page layouts, but it shouldn’t 'break' your website.
Ultimately, we recommend that you try the live demo on the WordPress.org website. You’ll want to be familiar with the different features before you install WordPress 5.0 with Gutenberg.
As always, we recommend that you run a backup of your website files and database before you install any new updates or plugins. Read about how to create a full website backup.
Problems? Our customer support team is available 24/7/365.
If you experience any problems updating to WordPress 5.0, check out our support article about WordPress 5.0. And don’t forget – our customer support team is available 24/7/365 via chat, phone, or web ticket.
What is your favorite part of Gutenberg and the new WordPress 5.0? Comment below to let us know how you plan to use the new block editor!
Blair Williamson is the content marketing manager for HostGator where she comes up with great ideas for blog content, webinars, and emails to help you rock your business.