Whether you are just starting with WordPress or have been working with this CMS for some years, you are likely familiar with the editor – a crucial component for content creation. While the visual editor has evolved over the years to accommodate commonly used features, adding new functionalities to enhance its usability has been a challenge. Users were left with two options: installing a plugin or delving into the intricacies of CSS, a daunting task for beginners.
In response to changing user needs and the emergence of alternative personal blog platforms such as Medium and Wix, a significant shift was announced at the WordCamp Paris last year—the Gutenberg project.
What is the Gutenberg Project for WordPress?
Gutenberg is the new WordPress editor designed to revolutionize the way content is published. This project aims to replace the current editor with a block-based system, simplifying and enhancing the flexibility of content publication in WordPress.
Currently in the development phase, it is not advisable to install Gutenberg on any production website. If you have a testing site, you can experiment there. Alternatively, consider obtaining a free hosting plan to create a new site for risk-free testing.
How to Test Gutenberg in WordPress
Given its developmental status, the team at Automattic (the company behind WordPress.com) encourages users to test Gutenberg and report errors or ideas by opening a case on GitHub.
As with most things in the WordPress ecosystem, there’s a plugin for Gutenberg. To see how Gutenberg works in WordPress, follow these steps:
1. Install Gutenberg
Access the WordPress admin panel, navigate to “Plugins,” and click on “Add New.” In the search bar, type “Gutenberg.”
Once installed and activated, a new section called Gutenberg will appear in the WordPress admin panel. Unlike the conventional editor, Gutenberg boasts a cleaner interface with fewer distractions.
2. Add a Block
Since Gutenberg operates on a block system, adding a new content block involves clicking the “+” symbol and choosing the block type you need.
3. Explore New Features
Unlike the familiar top bar with all functionalities, Gutenberg places these features within each block, making them independent. This modular approach enhances user experience by providing context-specific options.
Compatibility of Gutenberg with Other Plugins
One of the current debates revolves around Gutenberg’s compatibility with the myriad plugins and templates available in the official WordPress repository. GitHub is hosting a study on plugin compatibility with Gutenberg, and the initial results are not as optimistic as one might hope.
At present, only 2.5% of plugins are confirmed compatible with Gutenberg, with an estimated 9.84% potentially compatible. The majority (87.02%) is yet to undergo compatibility testing. Popular plugins like Akismet, Contact Form, or Google Sitemap Generator are confirmed compatible, but others like Jetpack or WP Super Cache are still under scrutiny.
Evaluating Gutenberg
The new visual editor appears more intuitive, especially for beginners. Tasks such as adding videos, highlighting quotes, or inserting images seem easier. However, concerns have been raised about speed, as more clicks are now required for each action, potentially slowing down the posting process compared to the previous editor.
A notable issue in earlier versions of Gutenberg regarding copying from external processors like Google Docs or Libre Office seems to have been addressed in Gutenberg 2.0.
When Can Gutenberg be Utilized?
While Gutenberg is expected to be officially released with WordPress version 5.0 in about two weeks, potential delays are hinted at in the Gutenberg Plugin Compatibility project. The need to test the compatibility of a vast majority of plugins in the repository might alter Gutenberg’s launch strategy.
In Conclusion…
Gutenberg is poised to reshape the way content is published in WordPress. While users accustomed to the classic editor may face a learning curve, the effort is likely to pay off. We’ve tested it, and now it’s your turn. Share your thoughts on Gutenberg and report any issues to the community—this collaborative effort ensures continuous improvement and minimizes errors in future versions.
