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    Gutenberg – pros & cons

    by Mihailo Raspopović
    17/03/2019
    read ( words)

    Introduction

    Gutenberg is a page creator introduced in place of the TinyMCE editor, and implemented in WordPress version below 5.0.
    The main idea of the new tool is to be able to edit/build web pages using blocks and to make WordPress a more intuitive environment for creating web pages.

    Adding such a tool to WordPress is intended to catch up with other platforms that use similar solutions based on react.js. (WIX, Weebly, Squarespace).

    Upgrading WordPress to version 5.0 

    If we don’t have an updated website yet, let’s not hurry up with it. At the moment many plugins are not adapted to the new changes. If we make an immediate update without prior preparation, this can cause a lot of problems and even crash the website.

    Two things to keep in mind before updating: 

    1. Check plugins and theme if they are not written by you from scratch.

    See what exactly you use, and then in the WP repository, you have to check if it is compatible with the new changes introduced during the update. If you are using a different source for your plugin or theme, please check the creator’s website.

    1. Backup of the current state of your web page.

    This can be done in several ways, such as using one of the available plugins, which are designed to back up all the files and databases.

    Problems after updating 

    If WordPress was updated immediately, (without any preparation) and there are problems with the functioning of your website, you can do a few things.
    First of all, you need to find the cause of the problem. Most often the error is displayed immediately. In addition, you must check wp_debug. If you can’t fix it yourself, you can try to restore copies made automatically to the server. Another solution is to install WP_EDITOR plugin, which will turn off Gutenberg and restore the old content editor.

    WordPress is updated correctly or created from scratch. You already have the latest version of WordPress and the awaited Gutenberg.

    At first, you will have to get used to the new look of your editor and the fact that now everything is built of blocks. Additionally, blocks implemented in WordPress can be reusable and are available throughout the site.

    In the new version the editor has not changed so much. The main change is the modification of the administration panel to more transparent, and content management is presented in a visual way. Thanks to this, the person managing the site will not have to constantly use the preview option.

    On the right side of the screen in the “Documents” tab there are other functions from older versions:

    • Status & Visibility
    • Publish
    • Permalink
    • Categories
    • Tags
    • Featured Image
    • Excerpt
    • Discussion 

    On the right side of the screen in the “Documents” tab there are other functions from older versions:

    • Status & Visibility
    • Publish
    • Permalink
    • Categories
    • Tags
    • Featured Image
    • Excerpt
    • Discussion 

    The next step in the previously selected block is to add the content to be displayed on the page. When adding content you have the ability to manage the text, just like in the older version of the editor.

    Summary 

    Pros of Gutenberg: 

    • Building a structure using blocks
    • Facilitates adding content to sub-pages (YT, Twitter, Spotify)
    • Gutenberg’s intuitiveness
    • Developers have the ability to create plugins/themes using their reusable blocks.
    • Mobile-friendly – interface, which allows us to edit content even on tablet or smartphone
    • Easier to understand for users moving from other platforms
    • If it is well-designed and front-end is 100% mapped with backend
    • Gutenberg is better for content creators –t it has less distracting and more aesthetic and understandable UI.

    Cons of Gutenberg: 

    • Issues with compatibility with many old plugins
    • Users of older wordpress versions may find it difficult to learn the new editor
    • The tool is currently under development and errors can occur.

    Changes are inevitable, especially those concerning WordPress platform where plugins are constantly updated/changed, whereas everything needs to adapt. One thing is sure, new editor and its intuitive block management will find its fans among new WP users.