5 Things You Can Do To Prepare For WordPress 5.0

Unless you live under a rock, you’ve heard about the latest WordPress update set to launch in late November (2018). Out of all the updates we’ve lived through over these last few years, 5.0 is set to be a game changer for a number of reasons. First, and most importantly, you can kiss the classic WP editor good-bye. It’s time to start thinking (and designing) in blocks. Say what? WordPress 5.0 will introduce a new way of building pages with its new Gutenberg visual editor. Ugh, why mess with perfection? Excellent question! Once installed, Gutenberg will allow users to design and edit their pages while simultaneously seeing what that page looks like in real time. Its interface will consist of blocks that you can drag and drop to create styled layouts that previously could only be achieved with additional CSS work. Not sounding so bad anymore, is it? So, what can you do to get ready for WordPress 5.0 before it officially drops?

Below are 5 ways to prepare so you can be cool, calm, and collected when Gutenberg takes over:

Backup your website before doing anything. Do it now!

Try out Gutenberg Editor by installing the WordPress Plugin on a staging website. DO NOT dive into this update head first. Get comfy with the new way of driving WordPress so you can assure your clients they’re (still) in good hands. This will also help you test plugins that may not be compatible.

Update plugins and do your research to see if they will work on the new platform. Old versions of plugins may not include any Gutenberg functionality and you’ll want to find replacements so your website, or your clients’ website, doesn’t break.

Install this plugin that lets you use the Classic WordPress Editor. Again, your plugins and even your theme may be outdated and not compatible with the new version of WordPress. Sucks, I know. But with this plugin, you’ll have time to continue using the old way of designing while you make a plan for some major updates. I’m talking a website redesign on a Gutenberg friendly theme. Start thinking about it.

Get educated. Read up on Gutenberg and its functionality. Check into your plugins support pages and see if the developer has plans to make necessary updates. Check in with your theme developers and make sure you’re covered. With all third-party additions to WordPress, we always recommend doing your research before downloading. It pays to purchase premium plugins and themes so you know there will be ongoing development work to coincide with major WordPress updates. Just sayin’.