WordPress 5.0, to update or not to update, that is the question!

After being talked about and speculated on for almost an entire year, WordPress 5.0 (aka Gutenberg) has finally been released.

Before I go any further, I want to make one thing clear- do NOT take this update lightly! Proceed with caution, make sure you have a backup of your site and at the very least make your initial updates on a staged version of your site. If you aren’t sure how to do this, call us!

Gutenberg is a major change in the way the WordPress editor works, and will have big implications for WordPress themes and compatibility moving forward. Aside from security updates to the WordPress platform, the main changes are to the WP editor. A more detailed article about Gutenberg and the new “content blocks” method can be read here.

The reasons for this paradigm shift are myriad, but it’s safe to say that the explosion of hosting companies with “DIY” website builders are part of the reason. WordPress is the current leader in CRM software, and this update will help ensure that they keep their lead.

But should you update? The short answer is: yes! Security updates are always important to have, and Gutenberg is the future of WordPress. But the longer answer is: maybe not yet. Aside from releasing a major update during what is a very busy holiday time of year (thanks Automattic!) the update might make some plugins and sites function incorrectly or not at all. A backup of your site is a must before proceeding, and doing it in a “staging” environment is ideal. As I mentioned before, WorkSite can help with both things and will take the stress out of this new exciting leap forward.