Gutenberg is the default content editor in WordPress. Introduced in WordPress 5.0, it replaced the old “classic” editor with a modern, block-based interface that lets you build pages and posts visually—without needing a separate page builder plugin.

If you’ve ever used a page builder like Elementor or Bricks, Gutenberg is WordPress’s native alternative. It’s not quite as flexible (yet), but it’s fast, clean, and built directly into WordPress.

What does Gutenberg do?

At its core, Gutenberg allows you to build content using blocks. Each paragraph, heading, image, list, button, or embedded element is its own block. You can rearrange them, style them individually, and create flexible layouts—all without touching code.

Common Gutenberg block types include:

• Paragraphs and headings
• Images and galleries
• Buttons
• Lists and quotes
• Columns and groups
• Videos and embeds (YouTube, Twitter, etc.)
• Reusable blocks (for repeating elements like CTAs)

The goal is to give you more design control while keeping the editing experience simple and intuitive.

Gutenberg vs. Classic Editor

Before Gutenberg, WordPress had a very basic text editor—essentially a glorified Word document. You added content in one long box, and any advanced layout (columns, buttons, or spacing) required either shortcodes or custom HTML.

Gutenberg changed that. Now, each piece of content lives in its own block, and you can arrange or style blocks however you like—without writing code.

Gutenberg vs. Page Builders

Gutenberg is often compared to full-fledged page builders like Elementor or Divi. Here’s how they differ:

Gutenberg:

• Built into WordPress core (no extra plugin needed)
• Lightweight and fast-loading
• Ideal for content-focused pages and blog posts
• Growing flexibility, especially with block-based themes

Page Builders:

• More design freedom and advanced layout control
• Pre-designed templates, animations, and effects
• Better suited for complex landing pages or marketing sites
• Usually adds some performance overhead

That said, Gutenberg is constantly evolving. With the rise of block themes and Full Site Editing (FSE), it’s becoming a serious alternative for creating entire sites—headers, footers, templates, and all.

Why Gutenberg matters for business owners

• It’s the future of WordPress
  WordPress is investing heavily in Gutenberg. Themes and plugins are increasingly built around it.
• It’s fast
  Sites built with Gutenberg often load faster than those using heavy builders.
• It’s lean
  Less reliance on third-party tools means fewer compatibility issues and lower maintenance.
• It’s flexible enough
  For most content pages, it offers plenty of layout options—especially when paired with a good block-based theme or plugin.

When Gutenberg may not be enough

If you need:

• Highly custom page designs
• Animations or interactive components
• Marketing-focused landing pages with advanced conversion elements

…then a dedicated page builder might still be a better fit.

But for standard content pages, service overviews, blog posts, or documentation, Gutenberg is fast becoming the go-to solution.

Bottom line

Gutenberg is WordPress’s built-in, block-based editor that gives you visual layout control without extra plugins. While it may not match page builders in features just yet, it’s clean, reliable, and rapidly improving. If you want a modern editing experience baked right into WordPress, Gutenberg is the direction to explore.