Are you confused about the difference between WordPress widgets and blocks? With recent changes to WordPress, the line between these two features has become blurred. However, understanding how widgets and blocks contrast is crucial for utilizing WordPress effectively.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive into the key differences between WordPress widgets and blocks. By the end, you‘ll have clarity on these core WordPress elements and how to leverage them on your website. Let‘s get started!
WordPress Widgets 101
WordPress widgets have been a staple feature since version 2.2 in 2007. They allow you to add content and functionality to specific areas of your theme, like the sidebar and footer. These dedicated spaces are aptly called "widget-ready areas."
Here are some common elements you‘ll find in widgets:
- Search bars
- Recent posts
- Category and tag clouds
- Ads
- Social media feeds
- Email opt-in forms
Traditionally, widgets were managed in the WordPress dashboard under Appearance > Widgets. Here‘s what that interface looked like prior to WordPress 5.8:
In this panel, you would see available widgets on the left side. You could add them to widget areas by dragging and dropping or clicking the widget and selecting an area.
While this system worked, it had some downsides:
- Lack of visual editing – you couldn‘t see how widgets would actually look on the front-end
- Clunky customization – limited styling options and form fields for customizing widgets
- Lack of context – widget areas were usually named by the theme developer, so it wasn‘t always clear where a widget would show up
- Limited options – widgets were restricted to predefined areas and couldn‘t be added to post/page content
Despite these limitations, widgets became a defining feature of WordPress, used on 99.9% of all WordPress websites according to a survey by WordPress hosting company Kinsta.
The Block Editor Revolution
In 2018, WordPress 5.0 introduced a massive change called the block editor (previously known as Gutenberg). This fundamentally shifted how content was created and edited in WordPress.
Previously, post/page content was essentially one continuous chunk of text, images, and shortcodes. The block editor transformed this into a system of distinct "blocks" for each element:
- Paragraphs
- Headings
- Images
- Galleries
- Embed
- Buttons
- And more
Essentially, each piece of content is contained in its own block. Blocks can be easily moved, duplicated, and customized. They provide much more visual editing and styling options compared to the classic editor.
[Screenshot of Block Editor]Plugin developers can also register their own custom blocks. This allows plugins to naturally integrate their features into the editing experience. Some examples of plugin blocks:
- Contact Form block by WPForms
- Yoast Table of Contents block for SEO
- Call-to-Action button block by OptinMonster
- Product block by WooCommerce
According to WordPress.org, over 300 million blog posts have been published using the block editor since its launch. Clearly, it has been embraced by the WordPress community at large.
How WordPress 5.8 Changed the Game for Widgets
The block editor was a hit for crafting posts and pages. The next logical step? Bring that same intuitive interface to other parts of the WordPress ecosystem, specifically widgets.
With WordPress 5.8 in 2021, the Appearance > Widgets screen got a major facelift:
[Screenshot of Block-based Widgets screen]Now, instead of the clunky drag-and-drop panel, you‘ll see an interface incredibly similar to the main block editor.
Functionally, widgets are now just blocks. Many core widgets have been converted to blocks:
| Legacy Widget | New Block Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Archives | Archives |
| Calendar | Calendar |
| Categories | Categories |
| Custom HTML | Custom HTML |
| Gallery | Gallery |
| Image | Image |
| Meta | Login/out, Post Author, Post Comment Count, Post Date, Post Excerpt, Post Tags |
| Navigation Menu | Navigation |
| Pages | Page List |
| Recent Comments | Latest Comments |
| Recent Posts | Latest Posts |
| RSS | RSS |
| Search | Search |
| Tag Cloud | Tag Cloud |
| Text | Paragraph |
| Video | Video |
For widgets that haven‘t been converted to blocks, WordPress offers the "Legacy Widget" block as a backwards compatibility measure:
This allows those older widgets to still function within the new block-based system. However, WordPress has said they will only support the Legacy Widget block until 2024.
Plugin developers can now create widget-specific blocks or make their existing blocks available in the block-based Widgets screen. For example, the popular Jetpack plugin has converted many of its widgets to blocks.
Widgets vs Blocks: Head-to-Head Comparison
Now that we‘ve covered the history and evolution of widgets and blocks, let‘s directly compare them:
| Feature | Widgets | Blocks |
|---|---|---|
| Customization options | Limited | Extensive |
| Visual editing | None | Full |
| Styling control | Basic | Advanced |
| Where they can be used | Predetermined widget areas only | Anywhere (posts, pages, widget areas, site editor) |
| Defined by | Theme developer | WordPress core + plugins/themes |
| Drag-and-drop functionality | Yes | Yes |
| Preview changes | No | Yes |
| Templating/reusability | No | Yes (reusable blocks) |
| Responsive controls | No | Yes |
As you can see, blocks are more flexible and powerful than traditional widgets ever were. They provide a cohesive editing experience whether you‘re crafting a post or customizing a sidebar.
The Future of Widgets in WordPress
With the advent of block-based widgets, the writing is on the wall: Blocks are the future, and widgets are on their way out.
WordPress has stated they will continue supporting classic widgets until 2024. After that, the Legacy Widget block will be retired.
For users, this means it‘s time to embrace the block editor if you haven‘t already. Start familiarizing yourself with block concepts and controls. When adding elements to widget areas, try to use block versions where available.
For developers, it‘s crucial to convert any custom widgets to blocks. This will ensure compatibility and give your users a more integrated, intuitive experience. The WordPress Developer Resources provide extensive documentation on block development.
It‘s also worth noting that blocks open up a whole new realm of customization options. With the Full Site Editing feature, the block editor can be used to customize all aspects of your theme – header, footer, templates, and more. Essentially, every part of your WordPress site becomes powered by blocks.
As widgets phase out and blocks become the universal content system in WordPress, we‘ll likely see even tighter integrations and more robust features added to the block editor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use classic widgets?
Yes, for now. WordPress continues to support the Legacy Widgets plugin, which restores the classic widgets interface. However, this plugin will only receive support until 2024.
Do I need to convert my old widgets to blocks?
Not immediately, but it‘s recommended. WordPress is clearly shifting toward a block-centric system. Converting to blocks ensures future compatibility and gives you access to more customization options.
Can I convert posts made in the Classic editor to blocks?
Yes! WordPress has a built-in tool for converting classic posts to blocks. Just edit a classic post and click the "Convert to Blocks" button in the toolbar.
Will blocks work with my page builder?
It depends on the page builder. Some, like Elementor, offer a Classic Editor mode to maintain compatibility with their system. Others, like Divi, have started creating their own custom blocks for the block editor. Check with your page builder‘s documentation.
Are blocks better than widgets?
In general, yes. Blocks offer more design flexibility, visual editing capabilities, and consistency across your entire WordPress website. However, there may still be some niche cases where a specific widget provides functionality not yet replicated by blocks.
Embrace the Block Revolution
Widgets have had an impressive 16-year run in WordPress, but their reign is coming to an end. The block editor is simply a more powerful, intuitive system for building sites and crafting content.
While there may be a learning curve, investing time into understanding and leveraging blocks will pay dividends. You‘ll be able to create more engaging layouts, craft richer content, and streamline your editing process.
So start exploring the block editor today. Convert those old widgets. Test out new block plugins. The future of WordPress is modular, visual, and endlessly customizable – and blocks are leading the charge.
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