Change is inevitable in every aspect of life, including the tech and corporate worlds. If you’ve been using the WordPress content management system for a while, perhaps you’ve encountered upgrade prompt requests in your website’s dashboard.
That’s normal, and it’s a way for WordPress to ensure customer satisfaction by providing WordPress users with the latest content management systems. The last thing you want to go through is using outdated software for your Atlanta and North Georgia business.
So, below is the quick rundown of what’s coming on WordPress 5.8.
But this is only the tip of the iceberg. In the rest of this article, we go into the details of what to expect. If you want to see a remarkable improvement on your bottom line, you want to keep reading to the end.
So, having said that, let’s get right to it!
WordPress has been working around the clock. The newest version 5.8, is set for an official release come July 20th. We care about you and your business, so we’ve put together everything you should expect. Let’s get going!
1. WebP Images Support
Currently, everyone uses JPEG and PNG file formats for website images. However, a few content creators and site managers rely on WebP images. There are tons of benefits associated with this new file format that PNG and JPEG don’t offer.
However, the most outstanding benefit is the smaller file size. This is important for speed and decreasing your site’s load time. Think about it! If your site is taking longer to load, there’s a likelihood your customers will quickly find an alternative site. Sadly, that’s how you lose business.
The good news is, the new WordPress 5.8 supports WebP images. Therefore, you can effortlessly add images to your site as you’d do with PNG and JPEG files.
2. Block List Views
Building a site is fun until you have to create a more complicated layout and pages. Even for experienced developers, dealing with complex layouts can be a pain in the flesh. That’s why it’ll help a long way to have all layouts in a block list view.
It takes the stress and frustrations out of the equation by granting you easy access to each block you’re working on. With the older versions of WordPress, the Block list view isn’t available. However, WordPress 5.8 is the real deal, and it’ll come with this feature activated.
3. Pattern Directory
Building and designing from scratch can be a hassle. With the current WordPress version, that’s what pretty much happens. For the better part, it’s time-consuming, and the output design may be full of errors. What if there’s a way you can access ready-made WordPress designs and templates?
The good news is, with the new WordPress 5.8, you’ll now have access to the pattern directory feature with tons of ready-made designs and templates. To top it up, for the most part, they’re all copy and paste.
4. Duotone Image Effects
The Duotone image effects make it easy to directly apply effects to your images without relying on third-party software. So if you want your images to appear a little different, this is the WordPress feature to go for.
It comes with numerous color options and even shadow effects that you can apply to your WebP images. This gives your work a neat and exciting appearance.
5. PDF Viewer
One way of catching your customer’s attention is through giveaways. This can either be free or paid and can sometimes act as gated content. For example, if you’re looking to collect email addresses for an email newsletter, the best way to go about it is by exchanging a pdf eBook with an email address.
Initially, you have to use pdf viewer plugins to have this. However, it’s now going to be available on WordPress 5.8.
6. Reusable Block Flow
Reusable blocks are a sure-fire way of saving time while maintaining consistency. For example, if you want to use a snippet over and over across pages, this would be the solution to having to create new blocks every time.
Therefore, once you have a block you’d love to use later, you save it, and it’s added to your library of reusable blocks.
7. Theme Builder Blocks
This is one of the bigger changes to expect on WordPress 5.8. However, you won’t be able to use the full features until the December 2021 update. Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean you can’t use the theme builder blocks come July 20th.
Amazingly, you can use this anywhere on your site, from posts to pages. Some of the features of theme builder blocks are site logo, site tagline, site title, query loop, post title, post content, post date, post excerpt, post featured image, login and log out, and many more.
If you’ve got a paid theme, you’ll reap tons of benefits from the Theme builder blocks. This is because the pro versions like the Cadence theme already have these elements in them.
8. Query Loop
The Query loop feature comes in handy when designing blog pages and posts. It’s a way to design your blog posts according to your preference. Therefore, it’s jam-packed with many styling options such as grid layout and features like an excerpt, featured image, title, etc.
9. Widget Area Blocks
In WordPress 5.8, widgets have been turned to blocks, and it’s possible to use any of your widget blocks in the widget area. Blog pages, your site’s sidebar, and the footer can use many widgets depending on your business needs and personal preference.
This new upgrade may not appeal to everyone. Therefore, WordPress recommends the classic widget plugin for any user who may not be comfortable with the Widget area blocks.
10. Template Editor
This last big change pretty much works like Elementor, Divi, Thrive architect, and other site builders. So, instead of relying on these page builders, you’ll now have this feature right inside WordPress 5.8.
As you can see, there’s a lot in the pipeline for WordPress users come July 20th. Since we care about your business, we wanted to inform you of these important updates. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to us here!
If you want our team at Centerpoint IT to help you with all or any part of your business IT, cybersecurity, or telephone services, just book a call.
We are turning 15 and want to celebrate this milestone with you because without you this would not have been possible. Throughout this year look for special promotions on services and tools aimed at Making IT Simple for You so you can focus on your business.
We are turning 15 and want to celebrate this milestone with you because without you this would not have been possible. Throughout this year look for special promotions on services and tools aimed at Making IT Simple for You so you can focus on your business.
