The Future of Gutenberg: Exploring Full-Site Editing (FSE)

WordPress Community continues to evolve as a powerhouse for web design and development, and its block editor, Gutenberg, is at the heart of this transformation. Among the most groundbreaking advancements is Full-Site Editing (FSE), introduced as part of the Gutenberg project.

FSE aims to revolutionize how WordPress users design and manage their websites by providing unparalleled control over every aspect of the website layout.

Hi, I’m Anurag Pandey, a passionate WordPress developer and web enthusiast. With years of experience helping businesses build dynamic, mobile-first design, accessibility-first, and user-friendly websites.

I have always loved how WordPress cms builders increase creativity. At ControlF5, I specialize in creating custom WordPress solutions that align with client goals.

Let me take you through the exciting possibilities of Full-Site Editing and how it’s shaping the future of Figma to WordPress website design.

What is Full-Site Editing (FSE)?

Traditionally, WordPress CMS separated the design of a website into themes, templates, and content areas. Full-site editing changes this by allowing users to design every part of their website—including headers, footers, sidebars, and templates—directly within the Gutenberg editor.

Key Features of FSE:

• Complete control over global styles like patterns, templates, colors, fonts, and spacing.
• Design consistency across web pages using reusable templates.
• A visual, drag-and-drop approach to managing website design elements.

Core Features of Full-Site Editing

Let’s explore the primary components of FSE and how they are changing the WordPress website landscape:

1. Site Editor

The Site Editor is the central hub for FSE. Accessible to the WordPress admin, it allows users to make global changes to their WordPress website layout.

Key Highlights:

• Manage templates and template parts visually.
• Update headers, footers, and other sections in real time.
• Preview changes immediately within the editor.

2. Templates and Template Parts

Templates define how specific pages (like single posts or archives) are structured, while template parts refer to reusable sections (like headers or footers).

Templates Include:

• Single: For individual blog posts or pages.
• Archive: For category or tag listings.
• 404: For “Page Not Found” errors.

Template Parts: These are modular elements of your design that can be reused across multiple templates. For instance, a footer designed once can be applied across all pages.

3. Global Styles

Global Styles allow you to set site-wide design preferences, including typography, fluid typography, color schemes, and block-specific styles.

Key Features:

• Adjust typography (e.g., font size, line height) across the website development.
• Customize colors to align with your branding design.
• Define spacing rules for better visual hierarchy.

Example in Action:
Use the Global Styles panel to apply a uniform font to all headers and adjust the primary color for buttons site-wide.

4. Block Themes and Twenty Twenty-Five

Block Themes are themes specifically designed to work smoothly with Gutenberg and FSE. The Twenty Twenty-Five theme, introduced in WordPress 6.7, is a prime example.

It offers a lightweight, modern design, mobile-first design and is optimized for Full-Site Editing.

Want to know more about the Twenty Twenty-Five theme and other WordPress 6.7 features?

Check out my detailed blog post: WordPress 6.7 Features and the Twenty Twenty-Five Theme.

How to Use Full-Site Editing in WordPress

Getting started with WordPress FSE is straightforward. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Install a Block Theme

Choose a block theme from the WordPress theme repository, such as Twenty Twenty-Five.

Step 2: Access the Site Editor

Navigate to Appearance > Editor (Beta) in your WordPress dashboard. This will open the Site Editor.

Step 3: Customize Templates and Template Parts

Modify templates or create new ones to control how your content is displayed.

Step 4: Use Global Styles

Access the Global Styles panel to adjust colors, typography, and other design settings.

Step 5: Save and Preview

Preview your changes in real time and save them when satisfied.

Challenges and Limitations of FSE

While Full-Site Editing is powerful, it does come with some challenges:

1. Learning Curve:
Users accustomed to traditional WordPress themes may need time to adjust to the block-based approach.

2. Theme Compatibility:
Not all themes are compatible with FSE, which limits your options initially.

3. Performance Considerations:
Complex designs with numerous blocks may impact site performance if not optimized.

The Future of Gutenberg and FSE

WordPress Gutenberg and FSE are continuously evolving. Here’s what we can expect in the future:

1. More Advanced Blocks
WordPress will likely introduce new blocks to simplify advanced functionalities, such as dynamic content or e-commerce elements.

2. Improved User Experience
The interface will continue to be refined, reducing the learning curve and making FSE more intuitive.

3. Third-Party Innovations
WordPress Plugin and theme web developers will create more tools tailored for FSE, expanding its possibilities.

4. Wider Adoption
As FSE becomes the standard, more WordPress users will embrace it, driving innovation and community support.

Curious about how to get started? Check out my guide: How to Create a WordPress Website Using Gutenberg

Is Full-Site Editing Right for You?

WordPress FSE is ideal for:

• Web Designers looking for creative freedom.
• Web Developers who want to build sites faster.
• Beginners who need a user-friendly way to design websites.

If you’re still using a traditional WordPress theme, it might be time to explore what FSE offers.

The combination of flexibility, power, and ease of use makes it a compelling choice for modern WordPress websites.

Conclusion

Full-Site Editing is not just the future of WordPress—it’s the present. By implementing FSE, you can create beautiful, functional WordPress website designs that stand out in a competitive online space.

As the WordPress community continues to develop new features, the possibilities with Gutenberg and FSE are limitless.

If you’re ready to explore the potential of Full-Site Editing, why not start today?

For more guidance, check out my detailed blog on WordPress 6.7 Features and the Twenty Twenty-Five Theme or reach out to my team of WordPress experts for personalized assistance.