7 Key Features to Look Out for in WordPress 5.8

WordPress 5.8 marks the start of a new era in web publishing. Here are seven features to look out for.

WordPress is the most popular and elementary open-source content management system (CMS) to create and manage your website. Most people choose WordPress because of its robust platform with greater flexibility through plugins and themes.

Even those who aren't programmers can use WordPress to create and distribute content. It's also the platform of choice for over 41% of all websites on the internet.

The WordPress CMS has progressed with time. The much-anticipated update of the platform, WordPress 5.8, is scheduled to be released on July 20th, 2021. This version includes several new features that will give WordPress admins more control over their websites.

1. WordPress Now Supports WebP Images

The most exciting feature coming on the CMS platform is that it will now support WebP images.

Google introduced WebP images in 2010, a better quality image at a reduced file size for websites. The small file size of WebP images speeds up the loading of the page, which means users will have a better experience on the internet.

After this update, you can save WebP images in your media library and use them.

However, this version of WordPress will not convert your PNG and JPG files to WebP images, so you’ll have to do it on your own.

The majority of modern web browsers support WebP images. You can check whether your web browser supports WebP images on the Caniuse site.

2. No WordPress on Internet Explorer

The latest version of WordPress will no longer support Internet Explorer 11 (IE 11), which is the default web browser on Microsoft's Windows 10.

WordPress announced that it will not test the CMS on Internet Explorer 11 and will not fix problems discovered in the soon-to-be-defunct web browser.

Microsoft has already announced that it would no longer support IE 11 as of June 15, 2022. You will get a warning from WordPress if you log in to your WordPress account from IE 11.

3. The New Era of WordPress With Full Site-Editing

The significant update in the next version of WordPress is Full Site Editing (FSE). This update will allow you to use block editor to change any element of your site, including the header, footer, and sidebar.

If you install a theme that supports the FSE functionality, you'll be able to use it after the WordPress 5.8 update.

The advantage of full-site editing is that the WordPress site owners can customize the design of their website without needing to write any code.

However, the upcoming release will only provide WordPress developers with a limited introduction to FSE. This initial introduction will improve site builders' awareness and abilities before the complete implementation later this year.

Here are a few full site-editing functions that we anticipate seeing in WordPress 5.8:

• Improvements from Gutenberg 9.9+.
• Query Loop (Post list), Site Logo, Navigation, and other theme-related blocks to be added.
• The block editor's template editing mode.
• Integration with theme.json, allowing themes to establish block defaults and settings.
• Integration of a block-based widgets screen and customizer.
• Duotone (SVG filters for images), layout adjustments, padding, and more are among the new block design features.

Although not all the above features were ready during Beta tests, the WordPress Core believes they will be up by the release date.

4. New Blocks Added to the Gutenberg Editor

Page listings, site titles, and site logos are among the new blocks in the Gutenberg editor in WordPress 5.8. WordPress provides several options for displaying lists of posts in addition to the Query Loop block.

A new Duotone block will also be present in this release. Developers will now be able to customize new effects as part of the construction of WordPress themes or plugins using this block.

5. Edit Your Templates With Template Editor

You will be able to access the template editor function with WordPress 5.8. The editor allows users to exit content-editing mode from the page-editing interface. And then, you can edit the general template from there. It would essentially act as a landing page builder for this release and be fully functional in later releases.

You may use the template editor to create and store templates for your WordPress website, which you can use later for any post or page.

The function is optional, and theme creators and users will be able to turn it off.

6. Pattern Directory to Make Work Faster

The editor will suggest patterns that you can instantly add if you search for a block on the add block panel.

At present, there are many new patterns available. Furthermore, after its integration with Wordpress.org, you can choose from many options from the pattern directory.

Just with a few clicks, you can copy and paste your favorite patterns from the Pattern Directory.

7. Blocks Widgets on the Screen

The new blocks as widgets interface is an addition to the Full-Site Editing feature. Using the all-new Widgets screen and enhanced customizer, website owners can now use any block from the theme's widget sections.

Blocks as widgets extend the Block Editor's flexibility to your WordPress sidebar widgets. You won't need to install any plugins to utilize colors, spacing, typography, or other design tools.

The new widget experience will be accessible using the Customizer or by going to the Appearance » Widgets page.

The Legacy Widget plugin will allow users to use and manage the existing third-party widgets.

Widget Blocks will allow you to utilize the traditional widgets that aren't yet accessible as blocks. You can also turn off the Widget Block function with Classic Widgets. To do so, install and activate the plugin, and the new Widget Blocks functionality will be disabled.

WordPress 5.8 will provide many new features for developers to experiment with and incorporate into their themes, plugins, and projects.

The Dawn of a New Era for WordPress

The WordPress 5.8 upgrade, which will be released this month, promises to make site development easier than before by allowing users to interact more with their WordPress site. WordPress has introduced exciting new features which will make managing sites much simpler.

WordPress site owners have been excited about these upcoming updates. The different rounds of Beta tests have shown that WordPress 5.8 will be the dawn of a new era for WordPress sites.

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