A Complete Guide to WordPress Gutenberg Block Editor (Tutorial + Pro Tips)

It’s a well-known fact that the WordPress platform is best for managing content, and the Gutenberg Block Editor is a revolutionary tool integrated into the WordPress platform that allows its users to create content using blocks in an easy-to-use format. 

As a result, this WordPress block editor makes it easier to customize and manage content on a website. It allows faster and more user-friendly content creation and management without requiring a programming background. 

This guide will cover the A to Z of the Gutenberg editor, from its basic functionalities to advanced features, tips for effective content creation, pros-cons, and troubleshooting common issues.

🎯 Overview of What the Guide Will Cover:

• An Introduction to the Gutenberg Block Editor
• A step-by-step tutorial for beginners
• Advanced blocks and features
• Tips and tricks for effective content creation
• Pros and cons of the block editor
• Common issues and troubleshooting

What is the WordPress Block Editor?

WordPress users have two primary options for content creation: the Gutenberg Block Editor and the Classic Editor.

Classic editor is a traditional WYSIWYG editor for WordPress that uses HTML tags for content structure, similar to word processors. On the Other hand, Gutenberg Block Editor is a default visual tool for creating content in WordPress. 

Gutenberg block editor uses blocks to represent different types of content, such as paragraphs, headings, and images. This concept makes creating and designing content easier than the old text-based editor. Also, replaces the need for shortcodes and custom HTML with a simple visual interface.

Key Features and Benefits of Using Gutenberg

• Block-Based Layout: Each section of content is a block that can be independently managed and customized.
• Reusable Blocks: Create blocks once and use them across multiple pages or posts.
• Drag-and-Drop Interface: Easily rearrange blocks to change the layout.
• Rich Media Integration: Embed multimedia content instantly.

Gutenberg Block Editor vs. Classic Editor: Difference Comparison Table

This table highlights the key differences between these two WordPress block editors to help you decide. 

Feature	Gutenberg Block Editor	Classic Editor
Interface	Modular, drag-and-drop	WYSIWYG, similar to word processors
Structure	Content built with blocks	Content-based on HTML tags
Layout options	Highly flexible, various layouts possible	Limited layout options, mostly text-based
Ease of use	User-friendly, intuitive	Requires some HTML knowledge for complex designs
Learning curve	Easier to learn	Steeper learning curve

How to Use Gutenberg Block Editor in WordPress (Guide for Beginners)

To access the Gutenberg editor, navigate to your WordPress dashboard. When you create a new post or page, Gutenberg will open by default. Each element in your content (text, images, videos, etc.) is added as a block. These blocks can be customized, moved, and styled independently, providing a modular approach to content creation.

📌 Please note that if you want to use (or already using) an older version of WordPress, you will have to install the Gutenberg WordPress plugin. 

Creating a New Page With Gutenberg Block Editor

Log in to Your WordPress Dashboard: Access your WordPress website’s dashboard by entering your login credentials > Hover over the “Pages” option in the left-hand sidebar > Click on “Add New” to initiate the page creation process.

You can also use the Gutenberg block editor to manage your blog content similarly.

Now Enter a Page Title: At the top of the page, you’ll find a title field. Type in a descriptive title for your new page. This title will be visible to visitors.

Start Building with Blocks: The Gutenberg editor presents a clean interface with a “+ Add Block” button. Click this button to access a wide range of block options.

Basic Layout and Navigation

• Top Toolbar: Contains options for saving, publishing, and undoing changes.
• Sidebar: Contains settings for individual blocks and documents.
• Content Area: Where you add and edit content using blocks.

Exploring Different Types of Blocks

• Paragraph Block: For adding text content.
• Heading Block: For adding headings and subheadings.
• Image Block: For inserting images.
• Gallery: To create image galleries.
• List Block: For creating ordered and unordered lists.
• Button: To add clickable buttons.
• Currently, there are over 90 guten blocks available. 

Arrange and Customize Blocks

✔️ Each block has a toolbar that appears when you click on it. This toolbar offers options like:

• Adding, duplicating, or deleting blocks.
• Changing block alignment (left, center, right, wide).
• Accessing block-specific settings.

✔️ Drag and drop blocks to rearrange their order.
✔️ Click on individual blocks to access specific settings and customization options.

Preview and Publish Your Page

• As you build your page, you can preview its appearance by clicking the “Preview” button in the top right corner.
• Once you’re satisfied with your page, click the “Publish” button.
• Alternatively, you can save a draft for later editing by clicking “Save Draft”.

Website Frontend View

Best Practices for Organizing Content with Gutenberg Block

✳️ Use Headings to Improve Readability and SEO

• Why Use Headings: Headings help break your content into manageable sections, making it easier for readers to follow. Additionally, they play an important role in SEO by structuring your content.
• How to Use Them: Use the Heading Block to add headings and subheadings. Choose from H1 to H6, but remember to use them sequentially (e.g., H1 for the main title, H2 for the main sections, and H3 for subsections).

Pro Tip: Incorporate your primary and secondary keywords naturally in your headings to improve SEO.

✳️ Incorporating Images, Videos, and Galleries

• Why Use Multimedia: Multimedia elements make your content more engaging and visually appealing, which can help retain readers’ attention.
• How to Use Them: The Gutenberg block editor offers several multimedia blocks, including Image Block, Video Block, and Gallery Block.
  • Image Block: Upload or select images from your media library. Use the block settings to adjust alignment and size and add alt text.
  • Video Block: Embed videos from your media library or external sources like YouTube and Vimeo.
  • Gallery Block: Create image galleries with customizable layouts and settings.

Pro Tip: Optimize your images and videos for web performance by compressing files and using appropriate formats( for example, jpg/png to webp) to ensure fast loading times.

✳️ Internal Linking for Improved Navigation and SEO

• Why Internal Linking: Internal links guide readers to related content on your site, improving their experience and helping search engines crawl your site more effectively.
• How to Use It: To create internal links, use the Link Block or add a link to any block. Highlight the text, click the link icon, and paste the URL of the related post or page.

Pro Tip: Ensure your internal links are regularly updated and checked to guarantee they direct to relevant and current content.

Pros and Cons of the Gutenberg Block Editor in WordPress

🟢  Pros

• User-Friendly: Intuitive drag-and-drop interface suitable for beginners and non-developers.
• Flexibility: Modular block-based approach allows for creative and complex layouts.
• Customization: Wide range of customization options for each block.
• Integrations: Seamless integration with plugins and third-party blocks.
• Innovate: Fully compatible with modern web standards and responsive design.

🔴 Cons

• Learning Curve: Users who switch from another WordPress editor may require some time.
• Compatibility: Some older plugins/themes and plugins may not be fully compatible.
• Performance: Heavy use of blocks and multimedia can impact page load times if not optimized.

Gutenberg Block Editor Common Issues and Troubleshooting

🛠️ Block Editor Not Loading or Crashing

• Plugin Conflicts: To identify the problematic plugin, temporarily deactivate all plugins and then reactivate them one at a time until you find them.
• Theme Compatibility: Try a default WordPress theme to see if it works. If it’s resolved, the theme is likely causing problems.
• WordPress Core Issues: Ensure WordPress and all its core components are up-to-date.
• Browser Compatibility: Try different browsers to see if the issue is browser-specific.
• PHP Version: Check if your PHP version is compatible with WordPress and your theme.

🛠️ Block Editor Performance Issues

• Too Many Blocks: Reduce the number of blocks on a page for better performance.
• Heavy Images: Optimize image sizes to improve loading times.
• Plugin Conflicts: Deactivate performance-heavy plugins temporarily.
• Hosting Issues: Contact your hosting provider for performance optimization.

🛠️ Block Alignment and Spacing Issues

• Theme or Plugin Conflicts: Check for compatibility issues with your theme or plugins.
• Custom CSS: Inspect custom CSS for unwanted styling affecting block alignment.
• Block Spacing: Use the block spacing controls within the block settings for precise adjustments.

🛠️ Block Editor Saving Issues

• Browser Issues: Try different browsers or clear the browser cache.
• Plugin Conflicts: Deactivate plugins to check for interference.
• WordPress Core Issues: Update WordPress to the latest version.
• Server Issues: Contact your hosting provider for troubleshooting.

🛠️ Block Editor Display Issues (e.g., missing blocks, incorrect rendering)

• Browser Compatibility: Try different browsers or update your current one.
• Theme or Plugin Conflicts: Deactivate conflicting themes or plugins.
• CSS Issues: Check for custom CSS affecting block display.
• JavaScript Errors: Inspect the browser console for JavaScript errors.

🛠️ Additional Considerations

• Custom Block Development: If you’re developing custom blocks, ensure proper code structure and validation.
• Third-Party Block Plugins: If using third-party block plugins, check for updates and compatibility.
• Performance Optimization: Optimize images, minify CSS and JavaScript, and leverage caching for improved block editor performance.

Gutenberg Block Tutorial Guide Summary

The new Gutenberg Block Editor revolutionizes the way that content is created in WordPress by offering a more natural and flexible block-based experience. Using its features and adhering to best practices, you can create dynamic, engaging content that’s also SEO-friendly. 

This guide gave you a complete overview of how to use Gutenberg, from basic to advanced options, and how to fix problems. So, go ahead and play with things as you explore Gutenberg for your WordPress site. Contribute Your Learnings & Ideas to help others get the most from this great tool.