Announcing WordPress 5.0

WordPress has been hinting at its next major update, WordPress 5.0 all year. With this update, there will be a new plug-in for creating content and posts called Gutenberg, which will replace the TinyMCE WYSIWYG editing tool that WordPress site administrators use each day. With your website as a key asset in your marketing toolbox, it is essential to understand how this change will affect your website and your editing capabilities. Here is what you should know in preparation for this update:

What will happen when WordPress installs the latest update?

The goal of the WordPress 5.0 update is to make editing easier. A new visual editing technique will be introduced with this update and the goal is to help users create posts and pages through the use of “blocks”. Within these blocks, you will be able to include different types of content like text, images, plug-ins and videos. You can then compose these pieces of content together to form the layout of the webpage. This update will not change the look of your current website on the front end, but it will change the way you view the back end of the site (for both existing pages and new pages).

Here is what the new editor will look like:

Here is what this means for you.

This latest WordPress update should allow for less manual coding with the new block feature. The block formatting should make the page building process more efficient and user friendly. Also, it will be easier to build custom themes.

However, you should be very cautious when running plug-in updates for the first time after the 5.0 update as issues and bugs are to be expected. As you make the platform and plugin updates, it is essential to look at every page and template thoroughly for formatting and functionality errors.

As a Paradigm client, here is what the update means for you:

Paradigm Web Development Client:
The editor for your WordPress site will look different. Over time, the site should become easier to edit. It is essential that once your website updates to WordPress 5.0 that you are aware of the plug-in updates you are running as they may cause some changes in functionality to your website and you will want to take time to check your website and learn the new platform. If you would like to schedule a training, or work with the Paradigm team on this update, reach out to us to schedule a session. We also offer web management and maintenance services, so you don’t have to worry about rendering issues, functionality failure, broken links and more.

Paradigm Web Maintenance Client:
As a Paradigm Web Maintenance client, you are in good hands! As part of your web maintenance service, we will perform the WordPress update and keep an open line of communication with you as we make this major change.

With our services, your website is in the hands of our skilled developers who keep your site up to date with the latest platform, like WordPress 5.0, and regular plugin updates, so you don’t have to. We set aside time each month to run regular site updates. Once the updates are complete, we perform a thorough check process to ensure that your site is working properly across multiple devices and we have skilled developers on hand to immediately address any issues that might arise.

If you aren’t sure how this update will affect you or if you would like more information about our web management services, please contact us today.