WordPress powers the top 30% websites in the world. There is a big community of loyal WordPress users who await the innovation that it makes. That definitely does add value and weight to whatever new it brings to the table. WordPress launched the Gutenberg WordPress Editor in December along with WordPress 5.0. It has since become the default editor and has been integrated into the core software.
The traditional WordPress Visual Editor Tiny MCE had pretty much remained the same for a long time and was pretty straightforward. Gutenberg as the new WordPress Block Editor has introduced a fresh writing experience by ushering in blocks. As the name suggests they are the building blocks of the new WordPress Editor’s structure.
Opening into mixed reviews we are here to break it down for you.
Gutenberg WordPress Editor is more than just an aesthetic upgrade. It changes the editing experience, especially for the creators who wanted to create more media rich content. WordPress aimed at evolving from a basic editing experience of the Classic editor to enter into the world of visual editing experience.
“The current editor got us through the last 14 years. We want Gutenberg to get us through the next 14.”
– Matt Mullenweg, Creator of WordPress (On Gutenberg WordPress Editor)
Gutenberg WordPress Editor: All About the ‘Blocks’
Breaking down the update in the new Gutenberg WordPress Editor, there basically are many blocks. Which eventually ends up giving you better efficiency and creative freedom than with the Classic editor without knowing the depths of coding and HTML.
Your blocks here could pretty much mean anything. They could contain, text, images (entire galleries on a single click!), widgets etc. And as each block is separate you can actually customize the look and feel of the background.
You, thus don’t only get the flexibility to build your page the way you want to, you also get an in-depth control to make it look how you want it to.
There is another interesting feature that has been added– Drag and drop! So, you can position your blocks with your will.
Has WordPress entered the new age in 2019?
There is a reason the Gutenberg WordPress Editor has opened to a lot of mixed reviews.
Developers are doubting the scope of its implementation and the webmasters are finding themselves in a grey area when it comes to its performance.
Let us try to chalk the difference between the two clearly on the basis of:
1. Look and Feel
2. Ease of Use
3. Performance
4. Finished Code Comparison
5. Our Final Verdict:
1. Look and Feel:
The first and the foremost difference that is obvious to the eye is that of how the two differ by the look of it. This perhaps is the beginning of the many comparisons between the two.
Classic Version:
The classic editor had the look and feel of a simple editor. All the features and tweaks were available within a single bar. It was pretty upfront and direct.
Gutenberg WordPress Editor:
Even when the classic editor is simpler, it is Gutenberg WordPress Editor that has, on the other hand, introduced a lot of different elements on its interface. Firstly, the classic editor’s toolbar has now been done away with. Secondly, the sidebar remains in both although, the block-based editor has an option to completely do away with it to reveal additional area.
The Gutenberg WordPress Editor has the following important block additions:
– Paragraph
– Image
– Heading
– Gallery
– Quote
– List
– Video
– Audio
– Cover Image
– Table
– Button
– Separator
– Pull Quote
– Preformatted
There are seven block categories on it. Namely:
– Inline Elements
– Common Blocks
– Formatting
– Layout Elements
– Widgets
– Embeds
– Reusable
There also are 26 functional keyboard shortcuts on it. There have been cases that users have been unable to use the classic shortcuts with as much ease as they could with before. Again, to be able to work better concerning with media rich content, there is nothing that comes close to the New WordPress Editor.
2. Ease of Use:
This is the more sought-after part. There are several additions that have been made to the Gutenberg WordPress Editor. But the idea is that if it actually does make an advancement in the experience and scope for the creator. Let us see how the two of them compare on this:
Classic Version:
– When discussing user experience, the classic editor is straightforward and self-explanatory.
– The classic editor still works the best for individuals who want to create content and without any added complication get out of the task.
Gutenberg WordPress Editor:
– Now the New WordPress Editor is definitely is the option for users who want to make their content media rich.
– When it comes to media rich content, Gutenberg gives flexibility on the basis of two things
: Addition of elements that previously did not exist.
: The ability to position them in new ways, which too was absent back in the day.
– There is a ‘search’ button which can help the user filter the block they want to use.
– This means that even when the classic version is easier to get around with, Gutenberg WordPress Editor is what helps a new user do more, much quicker in the same amount of time.
– Every paragraph automatically is a new block. Now that can be an advantage and a disadvantage both with the Gutenberg WordPress Editor. Advantage as the user automatically can be creative with every paragraph, and a disadvantage when it comes to formatting multiple paragraphs together.
– A nice addition is the old-time like news editor looking feature, where there are drop caps.
We come to the conclusion that there definitely is more that can be achieved with the Gutenberg WordPress Editor, once the user has learned to find their way around it. But that also depends on who the user is. The core WordPress user still is a writer who prefers to write without any distractions, whereas the current Gutenberg WordPress Editor is perfect for the user who wants to create content that is rich in media.
For users who prefer going back to the classic version from the Gutenberg WordPress Editor, there are plug-ins available for free to go back to the classic editor. You can get it here:
The other way is to search for the ‘Classic’ block and the user will see the classic editor’s interface.
3. Performance:
The performance was one of the major concerns of users when it came to Gutenberg WordPress Editor. The majority felt that additions and interface difference can actually slow it down and eventually lead to bad user experience at the expense of a new user interface. Here is how the two compared on it:
Classic Version:
– In terms of working, the classic version cannot be compared in smoothness. As there was the absence of features like drag and drop and the other point and click additions.
– Editing of multiple paragraphs could be undertaken together.
Gutenberg WordPress Editor:
– In terms of working the Gutenberg WordPress Editor too, does not have a working lack. The smoothness is present even when there are multiple tasks being undertaken on the editor.
– The editing of multiple paragraphs can be time-consuming as the user needs to switch in between blocks to do so.
If there is an overall comparison there is not really a significant change when it comes to the performance between the two. Also, there is nothing big as a performance difference that Gutenberg WordPress Editor is adding to the user.
When it comes to a difference in performance, the ball lies in the court of who the user is what their object or purpose is, when it comes to Gutenberg.
Let us now go to the other comparative factor:
4. Finished Code Comparison:
Further, in this section we try and compare the coding and what difference will it have when there are options such as the drag and drop feature in the New WordPress Editor.
In comparison what is visible is, that, there are no as such differences in the two, likewise, there is nothing that can be considered a big change in this case.
Since there are not many true to sense drag and drop options, therefore it does not output code that is weighed down by too many divs or inline CSS.
5. Our Final Verdict:
The Gutenberg WordPress Editor is definitely a step towards innovation. Furthermore, it is a content builder and not a page builder. Correspondingly, the ability to be able to add a spectrum of media onto the page definitely increases the scope of possibilities that can be undertaken with it now. Let us hope that the innovation that WordPress has taken eventually goes in a more evolved direction to keep adding more and more elements so that there is an ever-increasing scope with it.
What are your thoughts on it? Have you tried Gutenberg yet? Or you have a WordPress website and would need some assistance with it? Get in touch with us, we have got you covered!
