WordPress Block Patterns – the Ultimate Guide

Introduction

WordPress block patterns are predesigned blocks of content that can be easily added to a WordPress website. They are designed to make it easier for users to create visually appealing content without needing to have design skills.

Block patterns are made up of blocks, which are the individual elements that make up a WordPress post or page. There are several types of blocks available, including text blocks, image blocks, and button blocks.

Block patterns are created using a combination of these blocks and are designed to be used as a starting point for creating content. They can include a variety of elements, such as text, images, and buttons, and are often used to create common page layouts, such as a two-column layout or a hero image with text overlay.

Block patterns can be added to a WordPress website by selecting them from the block inserter menu. They can then be customized to fit the needs of the website, such as changing the text or images used.

Block patterns are a useful tool for users who want to create visually appealing content quickly and easily, and they can help to make WordPress websites more professional and polished.

How to use Block Patterns

Here is a guide on how to use WordPress Block Patterns:

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the “Block Editor” by clicking on “Pages” or “Posts” and then clicking on “Add New”.
2. In the Block Editor, click on the “Add Block” icon (it looks like a plus sign) and select “Block Patterns” from the list of options.
3. A list of available block patterns will appear. Scroll through the list and click on the pattern you want to use.
4. The selected block pattern will be inserted into your content area. You can edit the individual blocks within the pattern by clicking on them and making any desired changes.
5. If you want to save the block pattern for future use, click on the “Add to Reusable Blocks” button located in the top right corner of the pattern.
6. Give your reusable block a name and click “Save”. The block pattern will now be saved in your Reusable Blocks library and can be inserted into any page or post by selecting it from the “Reusable” tab in the “Add Block” menu.
7. If you want to delete a reusable block, go to the “Block Editor” and click on the “Manage All Reusable Blocks” button located in the top right corner. Select the block you want to delete and click the “Trash” button.

Note: If you don’t see the “Block Patterns” option in the “Add Block” menu, it may be because your theme or plugin does not support block patterns. You can check with the theme or plugin developer to see if block patterns are available or if there are plans to add support in the future.

The WordPress Block Pattern Directory

The WordPress Block Pattern directory is a collection of pre-designed block patterns that are available for free from https://wordpress.org/patterns/. Block patterns are reusable blocks that can be used to create common page layouts, such as headers, footers, and columns.

To access the block pattern directory, click on the “Add Block” icon in the block editor and select the “Patterns” tab. The directory includes a variety of block patterns that you can use to create professional-looking pages and posts on your website.

You can also create your own custom block patterns by combining multiple blocks into a reusable layout. To do this, create a layout using the blocks that you want to include in your pattern. Then, click on the “Add to Reusable Blocks” button in the block editor toolbar and give your pattern a name. Your custom block pattern will now be available in the “Patterns” tab for use on any post or page.

How to create new Block Patterns on your website (using code)

To register new WordPress block patterns, you can use the register_block_pattern function in your theme’s functions.php file or in a plugin.

Here’s an example of how you can use this function to register a new block pattern:

function my_custom_block_patterns() {
    register_block_pattern(
        'my-custom-theme/my-block-pattern',
        array(
            'title'      => __( 'My Block Pattern', 'my-custom-theme' ),
            'description' => _x( 'A custom block pattern for my theme', 'Block pattern description', 'my-custom-theme' ),
            'content'    => '<!-- wp:columns {"columns":2} --><div class="wp-block-columns has-2-columns"><!-- wp:column --><div class="wp-block-column"><!-- wp:paragraph {"text":"Column 1"} --><p>Column 1</p><!-- /wp:paragraph --></div><!-- /wp:column --><!-- wp:column --><div class="wp-block-column"><!-- wp:paragraph {"text":"Column 2"} --><p>Column 2</p><!-- /wp:paragraph --></div><!-- /wp:column --></div><!-- /wp:columns -->',
        )
    );
}
add_action( 'init', 'my_custom_block_patterns' );

In this example, we are registering a block pattern called “My Block Pattern” that consists of a two-column layout with placeholder text in each column. You can customize the content of the block pattern by replacing the placeholder text with your own content using the WordPress block editor.

WordPress plugins that let you create your own Block Patterns (no code needed)

There are several WordPress plugins that allow you to create your own block patterns. Here are a few examples:

1. Block Meister Plugin This is my favourite choice: With BlockMeister creating custom block patterns becomes easy. The patterns can be designed just like you design a blog post or a page with the block editor. You can assign any (custom) category or keywords. By doing so, your patterns are categorized in a way that makes sense to your users and keywords make it easier to find a pattern. Your custom patterns will be available from the block patterns tab in the inserter panel.
2. Block Patterns Plugin: This plugin allows you to create, edit, and delete custom block patterns using the WordPress block editor. It also includes a library of pre-designed block patterns that you can use on your website.
3. Reusable Blocks and Templates: This plugin lets you create and manage reusable blocks and templates using the WordPress block editor. You can use these blocks and templates to create custom page layouts and save them for reuse on other pages or posts.