The Complete Guide to WordPress Blocks: How to Use Them to Build Better Websites in 2024
WordPress blocks have transformed how people create content in WordPress. Introduced in WordPress 5.0 in 2018, blocks are now an essential part of the WordPress experience, especially as Full Site Editing becomes more widespread.
But what exactly are WordPress blocks? How do you use them effectively? And what does the future hold for blocks and WordPress development?
In this expert guide, we‘ll answer all of those questions and more to help you master WordPress blocks in 2024 and beyond. Whether you‘re a WordPress beginner or a seasoned pro, you‘ll learn actionable tips and best practices for using blocks to build better WordPress websites.
What Are WordPress Blocks?
In the classic WordPress editor, you had one big text box to enter all your content. There were no individual elements — everything was mixed together in a single editing experience.
WordPress blocks change that by splitting your content into separate "blocks". Each block contains one element, like a paragraph, image, button, list, etc.
"Blocks are single entities of content that work together to tell the story of your site. If you printed your website out and cut each content piece out with scissors, those would be your blocks." – Evan Mullins, Senior WordPress Engineer at Bluehost
Some of the most commonly used blocks are:
- Paragraph – for standard text content
- Image – for adding single images
- Heading – for section headings (H1-H6)
- Gallery – for image galleries
- List – for bullet or numbered lists
- Quote – for quoted text
- Audio – for audio content
- Video – for video content
- Buttons – for call-to-action buttons
- Columns – for arranging blocks into columns
There are also blocks for more niche uses, like a block for adding a table of contents or displaying a list of your latest blog posts. And developers can create their own custom blocks to add unique functionality.
Benefits of Using WordPress Blocks
So why use blocks instead of the classic editor? The main benefits are:
More visual control over content layout. With blocks, you can easily customize the layout of individual content elements, like changing the alignment or size of an image. The classic editor required custom coding for a lot of layout tweaks.
Intuitive, distraction-free content creation. Blocks provide a more visual editing experience that lets you focus on one element at a time. No more huge walls of text.
Reusable content elements. Save and reuse blocks across your site for consistency. Update a reusable block and the changes apply everywhere that block is used.
"The WordPress block editor unifies how you interact with WordPress when you edit content. It‘s a more streamlined, visual experience that makes building websites a lot more intuitive." – Greg Ziolkowski, WordPress Core contributor
How to Use WordPress Blocks
Using blocks is fairly simple once you understand the basics. Here are the key steps:
Adding a Block
To add a block, click the plus (+) icon in the top left or in the spot where you want to insert the block. Browse the block library or search to find the block you want. Click the block to insert it.
You can also type a forward slash (/) followed by the block name, like /image, to quickly insert a block.
Moving Blocks
To move a block, hover over it and click the up/down arrows in the toolbar to move it up or down one spot. Or click the "Move" icon (six dots) and drag and drop the block to the desired position.
Editing Blocks
Click on a block to reveal its toolbar, which contains options for common tweaks like text formatting or alignment. Use the sidebar on the right for more advanced block options, like changing colors or adding CSS classes.
Saving and Reusing Blocks
To save a block for reuse, click the three dots in its toolbar and select "Add to Reusable blocks". Give it a name, then click the plus icon to insert that reusable block anywhere.
WordPress Block Best Practices
To make the most of blocks, follow these tips from WordPress experts:
Keep it simple. "Just because you CAN add a lot of blocks doesn‘t mean you should. Use the minimum number of blocks to achieve your layout." – Carrie Dils, WordPress developer and educator
Choose the right block for the job. "Really consider what type of content you have and pick semantic blocks that match, like the quote block for a quote. It‘s better for accessibility and SEO." – Maddy Osman, WordPress writer and content strategist
Design for small screens first. "With blocks, it‘s easy to create complex layouts, but they may not work well on mobile. Always check your designs on small screens and prioritize that mobile experience." – Brian Gardner, WordPress developer and founder of WP Engine
Use keyboard shortcuts. "Keyboard shortcuts can really speed up editing with blocks. The two most useful are / to insert a block and Shift + Alt + T to edit in HTML mode." – Jeff Chandler, Founder of WP Mainline
The Future of WordPress Blocks
Since their introduction in 2018, blocks have become a key part of the WordPress ecosystem. The latest developments are Full Site Editing (FSE) and block themes.
FSE brings the block paradigm to your entire site, not just post/page content. With an FSE theme, you can use blocks to edit and customize your site header, footer, sidebar, page templates, and more.
"Full site editing is going to fundamentally change how people build and interact with their WordPress sites. It democratizes design and puts the power of HTML and CSS into the hands of users through a visual interface." – Anne McCarthy, WordPress product liaison
As of 2024, more and more themes will be built using the block paradigm to take advantage of FSE. If you‘re a WordPress developer, it‘s crucial to understand block development and how to create block templates for your themes.
Troubleshooting WordPress Block Issues
While blocks are generally intuitive, there are some common issues people run into, including:
Disabling blocks. If you prefer the classic editor, you can disable blocks entirely with the official Classic Editor plugin. Some other options are the Disable Gutenberg plugin and the Classic Widgets plugin to disable block-based widgets.
Block errors. If a block isn‘t working right, try switching to HTML editing mode to check for any coding errors. Make sure you‘re running the latest version of WordPress core, your plugins, and your theme.
Layout shifts. If your block layouts look good in the editor but shift around on the front end, a conflict with your theme styles is a likely culprit. Try a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Two to see if the problem persists.
Custom block troubles. Custom blocks are great for adding unique functionality, but they can cause issues if not properly coded. Always vet custom block plugins thoroughly and consider hiring a WordPress developer for custom block needs.
Start Using WordPress Blocks Today
Blocks are now an integral part of building WordPress sites. While they may feel foreign at first if you‘re used to the classic editor, embracing blocks will help you create better, more engaging WordPress content.
Use the tips and best practices from this post to dive in and start experimenting with blocks. Before long, you‘ll wonder how you ever built WordPress sites without them!
