Getting Started with the WordPress Block Editor for New Site Owners

Learn how to navigate the WordPress block editor, add and arrange content, and confidently publish pages and posts on your new site.

Who This Guide Is For

This article is for new WordPress site owners who want a clear, practical introduction to the WordPress block editor (sometimes called Gutenberg). You do not need to know code, and you can follow these steps on any modern WordPress site.

What the WordPress Block Editor Is

The block editor is WordPress’s default way to create and edit content. Instead of one big text box, each piece of content—headings, paragraphs, images, buttons, columns—is its own “block” that you can add, move, and style visually.Source

How to Open the Block Editor

You’ll use the block editor any time you create or edit a standard page or post.

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. To create a page: go to Dashboard ? Pages ? Add New.
3. To create a post: go to Dashboard ? Posts ? Add New.

WordPress will open the block editor automatically for new pages and posts.Source

What You Should See

• A large white content area in the center.
• A top toolbar with buttons like Add block (+), Undo, Redo, Preview, and Publish/Update.
• A right-hand sidebar with two tabs: Post (or Page) and Block settings.

Understanding the Editor Layout

The editor has three main parts:

• Top toolbar – global actions like saving, previewing, and adding blocks.
• Content canvas – where your blocks (actual content) live.
• Settings sidebar – controls for the entire page/post and for the selected block.Source

Top Toolbar Basics

• W / Site icon – click to return to the list of pages or posts.
• Add block (+) – opens the block inserter to choose new blocks.
• List View – shows a structured outline of all blocks on the page.
• Preview – opens a front-end preview in a new tab.
• Save draft / Update / Publish – saves your work.

Settings Sidebar

Use the sidebar on the right to control:

• Post/Page tab – title, URL (permalink), featured image, template, discussion (comments), and more.
• Block tab – options specific to the currently selected block, such as alignment, color, typography, and spacing.

Working with Blocks: The Core Skills

Once you understand a few basic actions, most blocks will feel familiar.

1. Adding a Block

1. Click anywhere in the content area where you want to add content.
2. Use one of these methods:
   • Click the + (Add block) button in the top toolbar.
   • Click the small + (Add block) button that appears between blocks.
   • Type / followed by the block name (for example, /image or /heading).
3. Select a block type from the inserter (Paragraph, Heading, Image, List, Buttons, Columns, etc.).

2. Editing Block Content

• Click inside a block to edit its text or settings.
• Use the inline toolbar that appears above or near the block for quick actions like bold, italic, alignment, and links.
• Use the Block tab in the sidebar for more detailed design controls.

3. Moving Blocks

• Select a block and use the up/down arrows on the left to move it one position at a time.
• Or use drag-and-drop by grabbing the six-dot handle and dragging the block to a new position.
• For complex pages, open List View and drag blocks in the outline for precise rearranging.

4. Removing a Block

1. Click the block to select it.
2. Click the three-dot Options menu in the block toolbar.
3. Choose Remove block.

Essential Blocks You’ll Use Often

WordPress ships with a large library of core blocks you can use to build most pages without extra plugins.Source

Text and Structure Blocks

• Paragraph – for regular body text.
• Heading – for titles and section headings (H2, H3, etc.).
• List – for bullet or numbered lists.
• Quote – for testimonials or highlighted quotes.
• Columns – to place content side by side.
• Group – to bundle several blocks together and move or style them as a unit.

Media Blocks

• Image – insert images from your computer or Media Library.
• Gallery – display multiple images in a grid.
• Cover – large banner-style block with background image and text overlay.
• Video – embed self-hosted or external videos.

Call-to-Action Blocks

• Buttons – add one or more clickable buttons for key actions.
• Spacer – add vertical space between sections.
• Separator – add a horizontal line to visually divide content.

Creating a Simple Starter Page (Step-by-Step)

Use this quick exercise to get comfortable.

1. Go to Dashboard ? Pages ? Add New.
2. Enter a page title, such as Welcome.
3. Add a Cover block at the top and choose a background image. Type a short headline inside it.
4. Below the cover, add a Heading block (H2) like “What We Do”.
5. Add a Paragraph block explaining your business in 2–3 sentences.
6. Add a Buttons block with a label like “Contact Us” and link it to your contact page.
7. Click Preview to see how it looks on the front end.
8. When you’re satisfied, click Publish and confirm.

What You Should See

• A hero-style section at the top (Cover block) with your headline.
• A clear section heading and paragraph below.
• A button that leads visitors to your contact or lead form.

Using Patterns and Templates to Save Time

Patterns are pre-designed groups of blocks (for example, hero sections, pricing tables, or testimonials) that you can insert and then customize. They’re built on the same block system you’re already using.Source

How to Insert a Pattern

1. In the editor, click the + (Add block) button.
2. Switch to the Patterns tab (or “Patterns” section) in the inserter.
3. Browse categories like Text, Call to Action, or Columns.
4. Click a pattern to insert it into your page.
5. Edit the text, images, and buttons just like any other blocks.

Roles, Permissions, and Who Should Edit What

WordPress uses roles (Administrator, Editor, Author, Contributor, Subscriber) to control who can do what on your site.Source

• Administrator – full control, including settings, plugins, and themes.
• Editor – can publish and manage all posts and pages.
• Author – can publish and manage their own posts.
• Contributor – can write posts but cannot publish.
• Subscriber – can manage their own profile only.

For safety, give day-to-day content editors the Editor or Author role instead of full Administrator access.

Saving, Previewing, and Publishing Safely

• Save draft – keeps your work private while you’re editing.
• Preview – opens a new tab so you can see how the page looks on desktop, tablet, or mobile before publishing.
• Publish – makes the page live for visitors.
• Update – appears after a page is published; use it to save changes.

Use drafts and previews generously so you can experiment without affecting your live site.

Basic Safety and Maintenance Habits

Even simple content edits benefit from a few safety practices:

• Keep WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated so you receive the latest security and editor improvements.Source
• Use strong, unique passwords for all user accounts.
• Limit Administrator access to only those who truly need it.
• Make regular backups so you can restore your site if something goes wrong.

Next Steps

After you’re comfortable with the basics in this guide, you can explore more advanced tools like reusable blocks, synced patterns, and full-site editing themes. For now, practice building a few simple pages—an About page, a Services page, and a Contact page—until the block editor feels natural.