WordPress has become a beloved platform for website development, with its constant addition of new features and updates. One of the most significant advancements in recent times is the introduction of the WordPress block editor, also known as Gutenberg. This new editor provides users with a fresh and exciting way of publishing content and customizing their websites. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, the block editor is incredibly user-friendly.
By default, the WordPress block editor comes with various built-in blocks for adding text, images, quotes, audio, videos, embeds, and more. However, there may be times when you have specific needs that require you to create your own custom blocks. In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating straightforward Gutenberg block plugins to suit your unique requirements.
Firstly, let’s delve into what blocks actually are. Blocks are components within the WordPress block editor that make up the content stored in the WordPress database. They replace the traditional concept of freeform text with embedded media and shortcodes. In the past, WordPress users relied on freeform text and shortcodes to add content. Gutenberg introduces the use of blocks, which allows for the creation of rich and flexible layouts that are easy to manage. While the block editor is currently used for posts and pages, there are plans to support full-site editing in the future.
Working with blocks in WordPress brings a refreshing experience to content creation. Many existing plugins support the block editor and come with ready-to-use blocks, making it effortless to add content from these plugins. The block editor also allows users to drag and drop blocks onto a page, streamlining the publishing process. It’s essentially like having a page builder built directly into WordPress.
For those familiar with visual page builders like Elementor, the concept of drag-and-drop page building is not new. Gutenberg aims to fully incorporate this functionality into the WordPress core. If you want to learn more about the Gutenberg builder for WordPress, refer to our comprehensive guide on the topic.
Now, let’s dive into the process of creating a custom block using the Genesis Custom Blocks plugin. While you can create custom Gutenberg blocks from scratch, it requires a good understanding of HTML, CSS, PHP, and JavaScript. For simplicity’s sake, we will focus on using a plugin.
The Genesis Custom Blocks plugin, developed by StudioPress and WPEngine, among others, is an excellent tool for creating custom blocks. You can find the free version of this plugin on the official WordPress repository and easily install it within your WordPress admin dashboard.
To install Genesis Custom Blocks, log in to your WordPress admin dashboard and navigate to “Plugins” and then “Add New.” Enter “Genesis Custom Blocks” in the keyword search box and click “Install Now.” After installation, activate the plugin to get started.
Now that you have the plugin activated, let’s create a new custom block using the Genesis Custom Blocks interface. In this example, we will create a custom Call-To-Action (CTA) block that can be added at the end of each post.
To begin, go to your WordPress admin menu and navigate to “Custom Blocks” and then “Add New.” This will take you to the page where you can create your custom block. Here’s a breakdown of the options you’ll encounter:
– Main Editing Area: This area includes the Builder, Template Editor, Editor Preview, Front-end Preview, Editor Fields, and Inspector Fields. The Builder is where you design your custom block by adding a title, fields, slug, keywords, category, and previewing it. The Template Editor is where you create the block template by adding code. The Editor Preview allows you to see the custom block within the WordPress block editor, while the Front-end Preview shows how it looks on your site. Editor Fields display the fields in the main editing area of a post or page, similar to regular posts in the WordPress editor. Inspector Fields display the field in the right-hand sidebar under the block inspector.
– Sidebar Options: These options include Slug, Icon, Category, Keywords, Open block fields in a modal instead of rendering in place, and Post Types. The Slug is automatically filled based on the title you give your custom block and is important when creating the block template. The Icon option allows you to add an icon to your custom block for visual identification. You can assign a category to your custom block or create a new one. Keywords help users find your custom block easily in the block selector. The option to open block fields in a modal is useful if you have a custom block with many fields. Post Types allow you to choose on which post types your custom block will be displayed.
Once you have a good understanding of the user interface, you can start creating your custom block. In the Builder section, give your block a suitable title. For this example, we’ll use “CTA.” Then, add an icon, keywords, and choose a category for the custom block.
Now it’s time to add fields to the custom block. In this case, we’ll add an image, text, and file field for our CTA block. Under the Editor Fields section, click the Plus (+) icon to add the first field. Set the Field Type to Image and define the other options. Take note of the slug as we’ll need it when creating the block template. Repeat this process for the text and file fields.
The last step is to design how your custom block will look on your site using the Template Editor. The Template Editor accepts HTML, CSS, and field slugs (enclosed in double brackets). You can also use PHP if needed. In this example, we’ll use HTML markup and some CSS styles to create our CTA block template.
After completing the template, go to the CSS section and add the desired styles. Once you’re satisfied with your custom block, click “Publish.”
To see your new custom block in action, go back to your WordPress admin dashboard and navigate to “Posts” and then “Add New.” Create a new post as usual and click the Plus (+) icon to add a new block. Choose your custom block from the options available and fill it out as desired. Finally, publish your post.
Congratulations! You have successfully created a custom Gutenberg block using the Genesis Custom Blocks plugin. Now, when you view your post on the front-end of your website, you will see your custom CTA block in action.
Building custom blocks doesn’t have to be a daunting task, thanks to tools like Genesis Custom Blocks and Lazy Blocks. Whether you need simple or complex custom blocks, these plugins simplify the process. However, if you prefer to create custom blocks manually, it’s beneficial to learn JavaScript.
We hope this step-by-step guide has provided you with valuable insights into creating straightforward Gutenberg block plugins. If you have any thoughts or questions, please let us know in the comments below. Happy block building!
