The 5.0 version of WordPress that was released on December 6, 2018 brought with it the block-based Gutenberg editor. With the new editor, every bit of content is a block. A paragraph, an image, a YouTube video, a table, etc, is a separate block. This new editing paradigm opens up new design possibilities for the creation of pages and entries, as Matt Mullenweg showed in WordCamp US 2018 (video minute: 9:50).
And if you’re still not familiar with the new editor, I recommend you read David Aguilera’s post: All you need to know about Gutenberg, the new WordPress editor. You’ll see how quickly you get the hang of it…
Gutenberg Blocks
By default, Gutenberg comes with a fairly complete set of blocks that we could categorize into:
- Text creation blocks for creating paragraphs, lists, headings, tables, and buttons.
- Blocks for creating multimedia objects such as images, cover images, image galleries, audios, videos, embedded objects, and shortcodes.
- Blocks for inserting quotations and verses.
- Blocks for creating code and HTML.
- Column format blocks and dividers.
Although Gutenberg organizes them using different categories. First it shows what it considers common blocks:
Then, the blocks that allow you to create different formatting:
And blocks for creating different layouts:
Blocks to add widgets:
And, finally, blocks to embed external objects:
Gutenberg comes with a lot of different block types, but you might still need some other blocks that aren’t included by default. That’s why you’ll find WordPress plugins that give you new blocks that make it easier to create posts and webs. Let’s take a look at some of them:
#1 Atomic Blocks
The Atomic Blocks plugin created by the Array Themes team gives you 11 additional blocks to the ones you already have by default. In the WordPress Plugin Directory you will find demos of how each one works.
So, for example, with the Testimonial Block, in a flash you’ve already created a testimonial on your page:
#2 Kadence Blocks
The Kadence blocks plugin gives you 6 design blocks in which you can create your own design, but it also includes a library of pre-built variants.
So, for example if we take a look at the Row Layout you can define the row format you want to create:
But also you can go to the library of pre-built layouts and select the one you like best.
#3 Advanced Gutenberg Blocks
The Advanced Gutenberg Blocks plugin has been developed by Maxime Bernard-Jacquet and includes 15 additional blocks. With the following video you will get a quick idea of the capabilities of each one.
#4 Block Gallery
The Block Gallery plugin gives you three new blocks with which you can create three different ways to view image galleries.
Very easily (you only have to select the images) you can create a carousel gallery, or in Masonry format (optimally structured as when you are in Pinterest) or put the images stacked one below the other.
This plugin was the winner in the Best Solution category in the Automattic Design Awards at the WordCamp US 2018
Nelio A/B Testing
Native Tests for WordPress
Use your WordPress page editor to create variants and run powerful tests with just a few clicks. No coding skills required.
#5 Bokez
Bokez is a plugin developed by Delabon that provides you with 14 new blocks with which you can easily create a price table, easily show your latest entries, share on social networks, and so on.
#6 Advanced Gutenberg
The Advanced Gutenberg plugin, developed by JoomUnited includes more than 20 additional blocks to your editor. It also includes the possibility to control at user or user profile level which blocks can be accessed.
#7 CoBlocks
The CoBlocks plugin includes 10 new blocks in Gutenberg for market content professionals.
For example, the Author block allows you to quickly add a box with the author’s name, biography summary, a photo, and a button to follow him.
#8 Stackable
The Stackable plugin developed by Gambit Technologies is probably the one that gives you the most extra blocks: 24 and they keep increasing it.
And if you want to see a demo of a website built with its blocks, just visit their own website.
#9 Nelio Maps
If all you are looking for is a block to insert a beautiful Google map in your page or post, with the plugin Nelio Maps you already have it.
I’m sure you’ll fall in love with its simplicity and efficiency.
#10 Ultimate Blocks
Istiak Rayhan contacted us that we couldn’t miss the great plugin that Matt Mullenweg had featured on his slides in WordCamp US: Ultimate Blocks. It comes with 16 blocks and there are more on the way.
Conclusion
As you can see, with Gutenberg and the whole set of blocks provided by these plugins, you can create much more impactful designs without writing a single line of code.
Gutenberg and all the developments that come from now on will surely bring us a new way of creating pages and posts very different from the one we knew.
Featured image by Susan Holt Simpson in Unsplash.
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