UPDATE 12/6/18: WordPress 5.0 is scheduled for release at 12pm EST on December 6, 2018, along with the new Gutenberg editor. If you need help upgrading or deciding whether to take the plunge or not, fill out this form or send us an email.
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The word around town is that WordPress 5.0 will be released on November 27. It’s possible that the release will be delayed until January 2019. Either way, since WordPress is our CMS of choice, it’s important that we stay on top of releases and innovations to the product.
The most significant new feature of WordPress 5.0 is the new editor: Gutenberg. According to WordPress, this new editor will allow users to add different types of content in blocks, instead of requiring custom code to do so. Images, quotes, buttons, and audio are just some of the content types that will be available. And you’ll be able to see your changes in real-time, without having to reload the content in another window.
You can learn more here.
You may be wondering what a big release like this means for you if your website is built on WordPress. In addition to updating to the new version, users may also need to update and test plug-ins.
Since there will be new features to get used to, creating a sandbox where you can test Gutenberg is a plan we recommend. If you’re not feeling ready for the changes that Gutenberg will bring, you can also install the Classic Editor now. This will ensure that your content creation experience will remain the same when WordPress 5.0 comes out. That way, you’ll get more time to evaluate Gutenberg and can make sure any potential bugs have been addressed before you make any decisions.
We are excited about the potential Gutenberg promises because we believe that the best websites are ones that can be easily managed by you and your team. We also understand that updating and transitioning can be tricky and stressful. If you want to learn more about preparing for WordPress 5.0, connect with us today.