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Can I convert my existing website to the Block Editor?

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WordPress Questions and Answers › Can I convert my existing website to the Block Editor?
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J
Jared asked 5 months ago

Hi,

I'm sorry if this question sounds stupid, but I'm new and learning. The WP101 educational tutorials explain how to build a website using Gutenberg Block Editor which seems more simplified than the classic way of creating websites.

My question is... can I convert my previously made website (using the classic editor) into a Gutenberg Block Editor page by just downloading and activating the plugin?

Or do I need to try to learn the classic editor (which I find a bit more difficult)?

Or, does WP101 offer tutorials using the classic editor? Thanks for your time!

1 Answers
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Shawn Hesketh answered 5 months ago

Hi Jared,

There are no stupid questions when it comes to WordPress! Let me see if I can clear things up a bit.

First of all, if you want to begin using the Block Editor (Gutenberg), you don't need to install the Gutenberg plugin. WordPress includes the Block Editor by default. If you're running an up-to-date version of WordPress, then you've already got the Block Editor!

So, you may ask, “Why am I still seeing the Classic Editor, instead of the Block Editor?”

There are several reasons why you might be continuing to see the Classic Editor instead of the Block Editor, despite running an up-to-date version of WordPress.

First of all, you (or another site administrator) may have installed the Classic Editor plugin. That's a plugin that was released by Automattic to enable site owners to continue using the more familiar Classic Editor when they released the Gutenberg Block Editor in WordPress 5.0. The Clasic Editor is still being maintained, though that may end soon.

Or, your site may be using a classic theme that disables the Block Editor. Some WordPress themes have not been updated to use the Block Editor. Many of those themes include a function that disables the Block Editor and utilizes the older Classic Editor instead.

So, if you want to begin using the Block Editor, all you need to do is activate a newer theme that supports the Block Editor. When you do, you'll see the Block Editor just as it's shown in our videos.

IMPORTANT! Do NOT activate a new theme on your live site without having a solid backup. I recommend experimenting with a new theme on a staging server, or backup copy of your site, rather than on your live site.

But, to your last question, yes, we do still have our older WordPress 101 course for the Classic Editor. Mind you, it hasn't been updated since WordPress 5.0 was released, since we're committed to keeping the WordPress 101 videos up-to-date with the current version of WordPress. But if you want to see video tutorials that use the Classic Editor, that course will have you covered.

​I hope this helps, but if you have further questions, feel free to follow up anytime.

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