Something small but HUGE just happened to WordPress

Mar 10, 2021

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WordPress 5.7 has just been released, and with it comes true drag and drop for the Block Builder Editor (Gutenberg).

In this video I explain why this is such a big deal.

Let’s go through the reasons why Drag and Drop for the WordPress Block Builder is such a big deal

Drag and Drop Blocks are so much easier to understand for the majority of users

It sounds obvious but the mere fact that you can now just drag blocks in the editor makes the Block EdItor so much easier to use. It’s far more intuitive than have to hunt around for the little plus icons.

Container Blocks are now much easier to use

The Block Builder has 2 types of block, simple/inline blocks and Container Blocks.

Container Blocks are really powerful because you can put multiple blocks within them and create more complex, and more beautiful layouts. For example, the Cover Block lets you put a background parallax image, a heading, and a button.

There are 3 main Container Blocks with the Block Builder.

The Columns Block
The Cover Block
The Media and Text Block

Containter Blocks become much easier to use now you simply drag and drop blocks into them. Here’s an example using the Cover Block to create a cool CTA (call to action).

The importance of discovery and play

Make no mistake drag and drop makes the Block Builder much more intuitive and fun to use. Because of this more users will discover its hidden powers through just playing with the Editor. The creative process is often not taken into account when getting user feedback, but my feeling is that this small technical improvement will make a huge difference to how end users perceive, play and create content with the Gutenberg Editor.

Influencers like Adam Preiser (WPCrafter) have moved from Elementor to the Gutenberg Block Builder

This is big.

Adam over at WPCrafter has a huge following on YouTube, with over 200k subscribers, and has been a big Elementor fan, promoter and tutorial maker.

In his latest video he makes the announcement that because of the upcoming Google Core Web Vitals in May, where page speed is going to be incredibly important, Adam is moving away from Elementor for his own website and putting everything into the Block Editor.

Here’s the announcement.

So that’s my thoughts, I would love to hear what you think. Do you agree that the Block Builder is now finally ready for Primetime?

Leave your thoughts below 🙂

Comments

7 responses to “Something small but HUGE just happened to WordPress”

Kristin

March 10, 2021

Thank you for clearly explaining why this upgrade is exciting!

Reply
1. Jamie Marsland
  
  March 10, 2021
  
  Thanks Kristin, really pleased it was helpful 🙂
  
  Reply
Patrick

March 10, 2021

Hi Jamie,

Many thanks for posting this great info.

I’ve just bought the PootlePress eCommerce Bundle.

I had started a website using Astra and Elelmentor when I decided to switch to WooCommerce, Storefront and PootlePress.

I’ve set up some integrations on the website, such as PayPal in WooCommerce and started setting up products.

I was just trying stuff out and getting a feel for the whole WordPress, WooCommerce, Storefront and PootlePress.

I’m just trying to build a fast and simple website from which to sell ebooks and audiobooks direct to readers.

I followed up on your mention of Google Core Web Vitals (GCWV), and I ran my work-in-progress website through (GCWV), and my site didn’t fare well; it is too slow and a bit of a mess.

I’m thinking of deleting everything (I’m okay with this) to start again from day one.

Should I do this, or is there a better way?

I’ve got WordPress, WooCommerce, Storefront and the PootlePress eCommerce bundle to build a simple, fast eCommerce site selling digital downloads.

I don’t know whether I’m over complicating things, but all these various packages (WordPress…) can be a bit overwhelming regarding what goes where.

It’s a sharp learning curve.

Any suggestions for how I can do this with what I have?

Once again, many thanks for the great info in this and your many other YouTube videos.

Reply
1. Jamie Marsland
  
  March 11, 2021
  
  Hi Patrick,
  
  We’re actually going through a speed optimisation process with storefront pro so we are ready for May.
  
  I’d also recommend you check out Nitropack as the speed increases you’ll see will be incredible 🙂
  
  Reply
Tom Nelson

March 11, 2021

Thanks Jamie! Just updated a site last night and saw they finally released, but couldn’t quite figure it out. Great for workflow.

Reply
Peter Müller

March 11, 2021

Completely agree that it’s a small but huge step ahead, and just a few days ago I have dropped Elementor in favor the block-editor of GenerateBlocks on my personal site.

Thankfully it was only a few pages as I have always thought that “page-builders” are meant for “pages”, and not for posts 😉.

With the posts all that changes is they are sort of encapsulated and appear in a Classic Block, which really is like a Classic Editor within the block editor. You can than decide to keep using the Classic Block or convert it to ordinary blocks.

Reply
1. Jamie Marsland
  
  March 12, 2021
  
  Exactly , 100% agree Peter 🙂
  
  Reply