WordPress 5.0 Will NOT Break Your Website
Don't Panic
I've seen some misinformation on the internet with people fearing that the upcoming major update to WordPress will break people's websites. This is not the case.
Even after the change to the blocks editor your site will look and work exactly as it does now. The difference will only be in the way that you create new content and edit the old stuff.
As you know, WordPress converts your new content to static HTML. The HTML for your old content will not be changed when WordPress updates to the blocks editor, it will only affect new content. So your old content will remain exactly the same. Your website is not about to break.
Install the Classic Editor plugin
If you are not ready for the change then install the classic editor plugin which is available from your WordPress dashboard. This is what is recommended by WordPress.org.
You can even use the new blocks editor in conjunction with the classic editor plugin
Gutenberg or Classic Editor? You CAN Have Both
Backup first
As always, create a backup of your website and save it on your computer before you update WordPress. Major changes to the version number such as updating from version 4.x.x to version 5.0 are not automatic so you have time to create your backup before updating.
If you have any questions please add to the discussion below.
As always, I'm here to help you.
Recent Comments
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Hi, Marion,
I seriously need to take the bull by the horns and get my head into this instead of messing around. I keep putting it off. Thank you for the update on it not breaking our sites as so much info is floating around. I have to admit. I will always trust what you have to say.
Just a question though Marion.
I have a site that I have had for over a year but I let it sit. I haven't done much with it at all. I am thinking of going back to it and adding a ton of posts and pages to it. It now has 14 pages and 8 posts so it needs work.
I use the Sydney theme and I like the page builder. What would you do if you was in my shoes shall I just start off with the Gutenberg plugin and move on from there. Should I just stay with the page builder.
I am not quite sure what to do Marion on this. I don't want to start out on it and then find I need to redo a lot of it again as I have to update a lot of it already.
I would love your input Marion and I defo need to start the training you have on this already.
As you know already I am a great fan of you Marion and all your training. Would love to know what you think on this.
Thank you.
Debs :)
Most of the page builders work hand-in-hand with the blocks editor. So I don't anticipate a problem. I would install the Gutenberg plugin now so you can start creating some fresh content on that website.
As you have some old content I would also recommend that you install the classic editor plugin and tweak it the way I mention in the video I linked to above. When you want to edit the old stuff use the classic editor instead of the blocks editor.
Ive done it Marion that was so easy thank you so much. I am having my cake and eating it lol your just brilliant :)
I love it when you say "as you know....." mostly because I'm really flattered that you think I am across these specific details ( I am not).
It's great to know that you are though. Thanks for keeping us all upto date. Cheers.
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Thank you for sharing this. I too have a read comments here and there about what some fear is a near apocalypse regarding anything WordPress or Gutenberg!
And thank you for the reminder to back up my site - especially before the before the 5.0 update.
BTW: I've been using Gutenberg for quite a while and have yet to experience any problems!
Exactly, it's fear born of ignorance.