WordPress Gutenberg Editor: Just the Parts You Need to Know

If you've ever tried to edit a post in WordPress and felt like you were fighting the editor instead of writing, you're not alone. WordPress introduced the Gutenberg Editor to make content creation more flexible and modern, but if you’re used to the Classic Editor, it can feel like a whole new world.

This guide will break down just the parts you need to know—no fluff, no unnecessary jargon. By the end, you’ll understand what Gutenberg is, how it’s different from the Classic Editor, and how to use blocks to build full pages efficiently.

What is the Gutenberg Editor?

The Gutenberg Editor (or Block Editor) is WordPress’s modern content editor, replacing the old Classic Editor. Instead of writing everything inside one big text box, you now build your content using blocks—think of them like digital LEGO pieces.

Each paragraph, image, heading, and button is its own block, and you can move, resize, and customize them as needed. This makes editing more visual and user-friendly.

Differences Between Gutenberg and the Classic Editor

Classic Editor

• Works like a traditional word processor (like Microsoft Word).
• Content sits in one big editing area with basic formatting options.
• To add special elements (tables, galleries, buttons), you needed plugins or shortcodes.

Gutenberg (Block Editor)

• Each piece of content is a separate block (paragraphs, images, headings, buttons, etc.).
• Drag-and-drop functionality makes rearranging sections easy.
• Comes with built-in design elements like columns, cover images, and buttons—no extra plugins required.

Simply put, the Classic Editor is static, while Gutenberg is modular and flexible.

Gutenberg vs. Full Site Editing (FSE)

Gutenberg is the content editor inside WordPress. You use it to write blog posts and create page layouts.

Full Site Editing (FSE), on the other hand, allows you to edit your entire website using Gutenberg blocks, including headers, footers, and templates. It’s a full design system rather than just a post editor.

If you’re only managing content, stick with Gutenberg. If you want to customize every part of your website, FSE is the way to go.

The Methodology: How Gutenberg Works

Gutenberg follows a block-based approach, meaning everything is built using reusable, customizable blocks.

• Each piece of content is its own block.
• Blocks can be combined to form sections.
• Reusable blocks let you save time by creating pre-styled elements you can insert anywhere.

Consider each block as a modular component—individually functional, but when strategically combined, they create a structured and cohesive layout.

What Do the Blocks Do?

There are core blocks that you’ll use in almost every post or page:

Basic Blocks

• Paragraph Block – Adds text.
• Heading Block – Adds section titles (H1, H2, H3, etc.).
• Image Block – Adds images from your media library.
• List Block – Creates bullet points or numbered lists.

Layout Blocks

• Columns Block – Creates side-by-side content.
• Group Block – Groups multiple blocks together for easier styling.
• Cover Block – Adds a full-width background image with overlaid text.

Interactive Blocks

• Button Block – Adds a call-to-action button.
• Embed Block – Inserts external content (YouTube videos, tweets, etc.).

By understanding these core blocks, you can build almost anything without needing extra plugins.

How to Combine Blocks to Create a Section (Step-by-Step)

Let’s build a simple call-to-action section with a heading, text, and a button.

Step 1: Add a Group Block

1. Click the Add Block button and select Group Block to hold everything together.
2. Set a background color or add padding to visually separate the section from the rest of the page.

Step 2: Insert a Heading and Description

3. Inside the Group Block, add a Heading Block (H2) and type your call-to-action, e.g., "Subscribe for Updates!"
4. Below the heading, add a Paragraph Block with a short description, e.g., "Join our mailing list to get the latest WordPress tips and tutorials."

Step 3: Add a Button for Action

5. Insert a Button Block below the description and label it "Sign Up Now."
6. Link the button to your sign-up page or relevant destination.

Step 4: Customize the Look

7. Adjust the alignment, colors, and spacing as needed to make the section stand out.

You now have an engaging call-to-action that encourages user interaction while keeping your design clean and structured.

I realize we haven’t yet covered how to customize the look of your sections—but let's change that right now.

In Gutenberg, you can adjust colors, spacing, and styles for each block using the Block Settings panel on the right-hand side of the editor.

• Colors: Customize background, text, and link colors to match your brand.
• Typography: Adjust font size, weight, and line height for better readability.
• Spacing: Modify padding and margins to create breathing room between elements.
• Borders & Shadows: Add subtle styling to give your blocks depth and separation.

Think of customization as the final layer of refinement—blocks provide the structure, but styling ensures they visually align with your brand and content goals. By adjusting colors, typography, spacing, and borders, you transform a functional layout into an aesthetically polished one that enhances readability and engagement.

How to Build a Full Blog Post Example (Step-by-Step)

Let’s build a well-structured blog post layout using Gutenberg blocks.

Step 1: Add a Title and Introduction

1. Start with a Heading Block (H1) for your post title.
2. Below it, use a Paragraph Block to introduce your post.

Step 2: Create Content Sections

3. Use Heading Blocks (H2) to separate different sections of your blog post.
4. For subtopics, insert H3 or H4 headings.
5. Write your content using Paragraph Blocks under each heading.

Step 3: Add Visual Elements

6. Insert Image Blocks where necessary to enhance the post.
7. Use the List Block to highlight key takeaways.
8. If needed, add a Quote Block for an important statement.

Step 4: Enhance Readability and Engagement

9. Use Columns Blocks to format text side by side.
10. Wrap important sections in a Group Block for better styling.
11. Include a Call to Action (CTA) Button at the end using the Button Block.

This approach ensures your blog posts are visually structured, easy to read, and engaging.

Reusable Blocks: Save Time and Stay Consistent

One of Gutenberg’s biggest time-savers is Reusable Blocks.

Imagine you always add a “Subscribe to Our Newsletter” section at the end of your blog posts. Instead of recreating it every time:

1. Create the section once.
2. Select the entire block group.
3. Click the three-dot menu and choose “Add to Reusable Blocks.”
4. Name it (“Newsletter Signup”).
5. Now, you can insert it into any post with one click.

If you ever need to update it, change it once and it updates everywhere—huge time-saver!

Final Thoughts

The Gutenberg Editor might seem overwhelming at first, but once you understand the core blocks and how to combine them, it becomes one of the most powerful tools in WordPress.

Key Takeaways:

• Gutenberg is a block-based system for formatting blog posts efficiently.
• Each piece of content is a separate, movable block.
• Blocks can be combined to create structured, engaging posts.
• Reusable blocks save time and ensure consistency across posts.

Now that you know just the parts you need to, you’re ready to start using Gutenberg to create professional, polished blog posts!