FSE

FSE, or Full Site Editing, is a major shift in how WordPress sites are built and managed. Introduced gradually starting with WordPress 5.9, FSE allows you to design and edit every part of your website—from header to footer—using blocks, all within the WordPress editor. In simple terms: with FSE, you don’t need a separate page…

By Henrik Liebel
Last modified on

What does the term FSE actually mean?

FSE, or Full Site Editing, is a major shift in how WordPress sites are built and managed. Introduced gradually starting with WordPress 5.9, FSE allows you to design and edit every part of your website—from header to footer—using blocks, all within the WordPress editor.

In simple terms: with FSE, you don’t need a separate page builder to control the entire layout of your site. It brings the power of drag-and-drop design not just to posts and pages, but to your whole website.

What does Full Site Editing include?

FSE is built on top of the Gutenberg block editor, but it expands its reach. Instead of only editing content areas, FSE lets you control:

  • Headers and footers
  • Page templates (like blog posts, archives, 404 pages)
  • Global layout settings (spacing, colors, fonts)
  • Reusable parts of the site, like CTAs or newsletter banners
  • Site-wide elements via Template Parts

All of this happens within the new Site Editor, found under Appearance → Editor (if your theme supports it).

Key features of FSE

  • Block Themes
    FSE only works with special block-based themes. These themes are built entirely with blocks, not traditional PHP templates. Popular examples include Twenty Twenty-Four and GeneratePress (block version).
  • Global Styles
    Customize your entire site’s typography, color palette, spacing, and more—without touching a single line of CSS.
  • Template and Template Part Editing
    Modify how single blog posts look, build your own archive pages, or update only your footer—visually and in real time.
  • Theme.json
    A new configuration file for theme developers to define global settings, presets, and customizations (this part stays under the hood unless you’re building themes).

Why it matters for business owners

FSE is about more control with less code. For small business owners, freelancers, or marketing teams, this means:

  • You can edit layouts directly
    No need to ask a developer to move your logo or adjust the footer.
  • Design stays consistent
    Global style settings ensure visual consistency across every page—fonts, colors, button styles, and more.
  • You’re less reliant on third-party builders
    FSE reduces plugin dependency, lowering costs and maintenance risks.
  • It’s future-proof
    WordPress is heavily investing in FSE. It’s where the platform is headed, and newer themes and tools are being built with it in mind.

Limitations and considerations

  • Only works with block themes
    Classic themes won’t support FSE. You’ll need to switch to a compatible theme to use it.
  • Still evolving
    FSE is powerful but still maturing. Some features may feel less refined than what you’re used to in tools like Elementor or Bricks.
  • Learning curve
    The interface is new—even for experienced WordPress users. But once you get the hang of it, the flexibility is impressive.

Bottom line

Full Site Editing transforms WordPress from a content management system into a full design platform. It gives you complete creative control, all within a block-based editor—no code, no extra tools. For future-focused businesses that want design flexibility and site-wide consistency, FSE is a game-changer worth exploring.

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