WordPress recently rolled out a short-cycle maintenance release to its 5.2 version. This maintenance release, logged as version 5.2.2, fixes 13 bugs as well as improves the block editor, internationalization, accessibility and the Site Health (a feature introduced in WordPress 5.2.). After the update’s installation, more convenient web development features will become available for developers.
Before we start talking about the update, let’s first have a refresher on what WordPress is. Many web developers, for sure, know what WordPress is all about.
What Is WordPress?
Even if you’re a beginner at web development, you should have already heard about WordPress. After all, it is a powerful tool for web design. It is based on PHP and MySQL but it can use other web programming languages such as JavaScript, too. You only need to find a suitable plugin for it.
WordPress is known as one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) available nowadays. There are more than 60 million websites on the Internet that use WordPress as their content management system, with about a quarter belonging to the top companies in the world.
Most custom web design specialists use WordPress to create dynamic websites. Before, a lot of people would only use WordPress for blogging but it has now expanded to cover other web content types. These include online stores, media galleries, forums, and mailing lists.
The best thing about this website management system is that it is free to use. Even without paying, you can already use most of its features and functionalities. Also, this website management system offers full support when addressing a user’s bug reports or concerns.
WordPress offers many powerful tools for developers to use for web development. These tools make website development easier as there is little to no need for coding. Before it can be used, though, you first have to install it on a web server. You can also install it into a local server for learning purposes or single-user testing.
Why Use WordPress to Power Your Website?
Web development is a piece of cake with WordPress. You might want to consider switching to this content management system if you know its benefits. Here are some of the advantages that you can enjoy when you use WordPress for your custom web design.
- WordPress has an intuitive interface that makes adding blog posts, changing web font and layout, etc. a lot easier to do. Therefore, it will not take you a lot of time to create your content.
- You can handle your website from any laptop or computer as WordPress is browser-based. As long as the computer you are using has Internet access, you can manage your website.
- You can create a website even if you don’t have knowledge of HTML or FTP. Creating new blog posts or formatting pages won’t require you to add HTML codes.
- WordPress creates a website that is optimized for search engines. Its codes are clean and simple so it is no wonder that search engines love WP sites.
- The website design is fully customizable. You can then apply your company branding to your site. This, then, makes your website stand out among its competitors.
- A plethora of plugins is available online. These plugins extend the functionality of your website.
- WordPress is scalable. This means that you can grow your website in proportion to the growth of your company.
With all these benefits, it is easy to see why many web owners opt to use WordPress. Site management won’t take a lot of time and effort when using this content management system.
The Latest Version
Currently, the latest WordPress version is 5.2. This version was first released back in May. It introduced robust tools used to identify, fix, and manage configuration issues. Also, it is capable of addressing fatal site errors.
With the release of 5.2.2, WordPress offers more benefits for web design than you can imagine.
What’s New
The release of the 5.2.2 version has upgraded many of these CMS’ features. For example, the latest version now has a faster redesigned linking workflow. This means that it is now simpler to link text in your current post to any of your existing posts and pages.
Aside from the workflow, there are also improvements made on the admin bar. You no longer need to click on several links to get to the page you want to go to. That kind of troublesome action is now a thing of the past! The latest update on the admin bar now allows you to have quick access to your most-used dashboard pages.
These are some of the improvements made on the latest upgrade. But, the most important updates you need to know about are the ones made to the writing editor. Here’s what you need to know about the new writing interface:
Block-Based Editor
Imagine uploading a photo into a post and then arranging it so that the text wraps around it. In the older versions, this design would take meticulous CSS or HTML codes to be possible. There are even some cases when the changes you make will disappear when you preview your post. Many have become frustrated in the face of this situation.
In this case, WP users will appreciate the latest update of the writing interface for sure.
With WordPress 5.2.2, the blocked-based editor makes your editing experience better. It allows you to design your posts in any way you want. Once you publish or preview it, the final post will look exactly how you’ve designed it on the editor.
You can try inserting a photo or a video into the editor and rearranging it. You will then find that rearranging it to match your custom web design draft is now easier. Every piece of content inside the editor will now have its own wrapper, making it easier to move them around.
Now, for those who prefer using HTML and CSS codes to design their posts, there’s no need to worry. The blocks won’t hinder you from using these two. You can still use HTML and CSS when designing your website.
Interface Panel Updates
The upgrade to the writing editor is quite extensive.
The upgrade streamlines the panels so that they only show what you often use. The seldom-used ones are now hidden by default. With this update, the writing interface looks less cluttered. Furthermore, the simple look will make you feel at ease, thus improving your writing experience.
Of course, you can still get the old panels back if you want to. The latest WordPress update didn’t get rid of those old options, after all. They are only hidden from sight to avoid making the interface look cluttered. To see these old options again, all you have to do is visit the Screen Options, which you can find at the top right of the page.
Reusable Blocks
It is a good thing that the latest WP update now allows developers to take advantage of reusable blocks. These reusable blocks are useful for developers building sites for their clients.
Developers who are building clients’ sites can take advantage of reusable blocks now. These blocks allow clients to add new content without changing the site’s look and feel. There will be consistency in the design and content. Now, you do not have to worry about drastic changes between the two posts.
Site Health Check
This is one of the latest functionalities in WordPress version 5.2. This functionality builds on the features introduced in the earlier version, 5.1.
Version 5.1 had released the Site Health features which check plugin compatibility. It checks whether the plugin you want to install is compatible with your current PHP version. Now, the latest update 5.2, also known as “Jaco,” introduces a new feature, which is the Site Health Check. This feature builds on the Site Health features introduced in WordPress 5.1. With the Site Health Check, developers can debug common configuration issues with ease.
With the 5.2.2 minor update, Site Health Check has more updates that ensure better site performance.
PHP Error Protection
WordPress 5.2 aims to keep sites safer. Thus, WordPress added the PHP Error Protection feature into its latest version.
PHP Error Protection is an administrator-focused update. What this feature does is that it allows for the safe management or repair of fatal errors. Even without a professional developer around, you can fix PHP errors on your own.
PHP Error Protection now allows users to handle the “white screen of death” better. Entering recovery mode to pause error-causing themes or plugins is effortless as well.
The minor 5.2.2 update resolves the bug where the exit button in recovery mode is not visible in responsive view.
Why Install the Latest WordPress Update?
You may be satisfied with the current version of WordPress you have installed on your site. Right now, you may not have any plan to update to 5.2.2. In your mind, you are not sure if the latest installation is a good move or not. Even so, Proweaver recommends that you push through with the latest upgrade.
WordPress always strives to improve user experience. Thus, this installation is bound to be helpful. Don’t let the current satisfaction you feel over your WP version become the reason why you aren’t making the most out of WordPress. Even if you don’t feel the need to reacquaint yourself with the new version, you should still use it to your advantage.
It is not difficult to transition from your current WordPress version into WordPress 5.2.2. In fact, you will get used to it faster as the user interface in 5.2.2 is more flexible and intuitive than older versions. What takes a few minutes to format before is now a couple of clicks away.
Always remember that WordPress strives to simplify the web development process for users. This update, therefore, will enhance your WordPress experience by leaps and bounds.
Are You Ready for It?
WordPress is the best CMS to use for your website if you want to take advantage of a multitude of themes and plugins. Moreover, it supports a variety of web programming languages. Of course, that doesn’t mean you need to learn these languages just so you can create your own site. You can design the website according to how you imagined it without feeling too much pressure.
If you want to take full advantage of what WordPress has to offer, then updating to its latest version is a must. After all, WordPress will only show its best capabilities when it at its latest version.
The latest update from WordPress is a means to ensure a better user experience. It is also one way to keep your website safe. Regardless if you are an experienced WordPress user or not, there is no harm in having the latest update. In fact, it is better to do so since there is more support offered when your version is up-to-date.
Proweaver uses WordPress to create our clients’ custom websites. After all, this content management system is not only easy for us to use but it benefits our clients as well. WordPress does not need heavy maintenance, especially in the long run. Moreover, as a web design company that offers custom website design for professionals and businesses, we rely on WordPress for its safe and secure functionalities.
Are you already an experienced WordPress user? Have you installed the latest WP update? If yes, share your thoughts or experience in the comments section below.