Gutenberg templates make WordPress more flexible

Gutenberg blocks had been available in WordPress for some time, but Gutenberg templates were introduced in version 5.9.0. This gives you even greater flexibility to add blocks in specific places. Previously, Elementor and WPBakery performed this task, but both these ‘block builders’ often have a dramatic impact on loading times.

Manage blocks by template

As WordPress developers, we’ve found that we can create various templates, such as:

• index.php
• front-page.php
• page.php
• archive.php
• single.php
• And so on

This allows us to incorporate specific functionalities and customisation into each template. What’s interesting about clients is that their desire for extensive flexibility is growing with every quarter. When we develop a theme, the nature of customisation within the templates changes. It’s shifting more towards creating custom Gutenberg blocks. This gives our clients greater freedom. 

Bespoke Gutenberg blocks

WordPress already offers a wide range of Gutenberg blocks as standard. If the standard blocks are enough for you, that’s fine, of course. Our clients do want the standard blocks, but with a slight twist. Developing bespoke Gutenberg blocks requires a different mindset. If you develop them according to the standards, you can even see in the editor how they’ll ultimately work on the website. If this is still too complex for you, you can always develop a shortcode and load it via a Gutenberg HTML block.

Gutenberg is SEO-friendly

The HTML markup of standard Gutenberg blocks looks neat. With custom Gutenberg blocks, of course, it depends on how the developer has gone about their work. Generally speaking, this results in clean HTML, which is a good thing for helping search engines understand your website. You can also add structured data to a Gutenberg block, thereby enriching every web page.

Gutenberg is a positive step forward for WordPress. Of course, it’s not a silver bullet, but then again, no CMS is. WordPress is a tool, and the better you optimise it, the more it will really work for you.