Gutenberg is gaining popularity every month, and it has rapidly become the standard for building custom WordPress websites. Take a look at how past solutions have evolved, how you can benefit from Gutenberg, and how to set yourself up for success.
How Atlantic BT used to address WordPress customization issues.
TinyMCE was the default WordPress editor in the past. Due to its limitations with responsiveness and design flexibility, Atlantic BT built a “flexible bands” system with Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) to provide custom options.
This system was built upon reusable design components. It created a much-needed balance between brand adherence and flexibility. Teams were able to build pages on their own using pre-styled components.
Flexible bands worked well for our clients who were committed to learning the custom system (for example, Campbell University). Many felt that they were no longer confined by their WordPress editor and could rapidly produce new pages. Additionally, a system based on reusable components simplified development and design.
“Flexible bands” are no longer necessary – Gutenberg is changing the game.
While Atlantic BT’s flexible band system initially filled the gaps, WordPress caught up to modern design needs. Their latest editing experience, Gutenberg, now offers a similar solution with additional benefits.
Gutenberg also works best with reusable components. The components, called “content blocks,” can be used to build pages in the same way as the flexible band system Atlantic BT developed.
WordPress has worked out many of the kinks since its December 2018 release, which continues to boost Gutenberg’s popularity. Better still, Gutenberg is so widely used that it’s easy to find tutorials, support, and training.
Why do you need to switch now?
Upgrading to Gutenberg can do more than enhance your editing experience. In order to stay ahead of your competition, it’s important to implement modern technologies. Yoast said it best:
“The Gutenberg project and with it, the Block Editor, is literally where all the innovation in the WordPress space is happening. Think of it this way: the only car race you’re going to win by using old technology, is a classic car race. If you want to win in SEO in the next few years, I guarantee you’ll need to be on the Block Editor. If you’re not, and if some of your competitors are, they’re going to beat you.”
Furthermore, WordPress is forcing people off older editors. For example, TinyMCE has been removed from WordPress core with versions 5.0+.
While the classic editor plugin facilitates switching between Gutenberg and a standard editing view, it has an expected end of life of 2022.
What does switching to Gutenberg require?
Switching to Gutenberg is more than just a software upgrade. Of course an upgrade is required if you are using an older version of WordPress, but you will also need to consider things such as:
- Designing the page layouts and block components you will use.
- Learning to use the Gutenberg editor interface.
- Migrating existing content from old content types to Gutenberg blocks.
The right partner can help you get the most out of Gutenberg.
Continuing to use ACF, Atlantic BT is able to develop custom blocks in Gutenberg with ease. For years, we have already been designing and developing with reusable components.
Our teams have vast experience efficiently planning and building websites in this method.
Ready to get started?
If your WordPress website is built around a standard editor, you will benefit from switching to Gutenberg. Contact us for a free consultation to learn more.
