Ever wished you could customize every inch of your WordPress site—header, footer, and everything in between—without touching a line of code? You’re not alone. Full Site Editing is one of WordPress’s most exciting features, but it can feel confusing if you don’t know where to start.
Understanding how Full Site Editing works is key to unlocking a truly unique website. In this article, we’ll break down what Full Site Editing is, guide you through the setup process, and share helpful tips to make designing your site easier and more enjoyable.
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What Is WordPress Full Site Editing?
WordPress Full Site Editing (FSE) is a game-changing approach to building and customizing websites using WordPress. It gives you, the site owner or developer, the power to edit every aspect of your site—headers, footers, sidebars, and content—directly from a visual editor, without needing to code. This means you can design your entire site’s appearance, layout, and structure using blocks, just as you might already do with posts and pages.
The core idea behind Full Site Editing is to make every part of your WordPress site customizable using blocks. With FSE, you are no longer limited to just editing content areas; you can transform your themes and achieve a fully unique look, all from an intuitive, drag-and-drop interface.
Understanding the Basics of Full Site Editing
Blocks: The Foundation of FSE
- Blocks are the building units in WordPress FSE. Each piece of your site—paragraphs, headings, images, navigation menus, widgets, even your site title—can be controlled as individual blocks.
- This block-based approach lets you rearrange, style, and edit everything visually.
Block Themes
- FSE requires a special type of theme called a block theme. Unlike classic themes, these are designed so that you can change every part of the layout through the site editor.
- If you want to use FSE features, make sure you’ve activated a block theme, such as Twenty Twenty-Four, or others that explicitly support full site editing.
How to Use WordPress Full Site Editing: Step-by-Step
Let’s break down how you can get started with WordPress Full Site Editing, even if you’re a beginner.
1. Make Sure Your WordPress Is Up to Date
FSE is available in WordPress 5.9 and later. Update your WordPress installation to access the latest features, stability, and security improvements.
2. Choose and Install a Block Theme
- Go to your WordPress Dashboard.
- Navigate to Appearance > Themes.
- Click Add New and search for block-ready themes (look for “Full Site Editing,” “FSE,” or “block” in the descriptions).
- Activate your chosen theme.
3. Access the Site Editor
- In the Dashboard, visit Appearance > Editor (Beta) or Appearance > Site Editor—the exact wording may vary.
- This is where the magic happens! The site editor allows you to visually structure and style your site.
4. Understand the Editor Layout
You’ll generally see:
- Navigation Sidebar: Choose what you want to edit (templates, template parts, pages, styles, etc.)
- Editing Canvas: View and edit your site live.
- Block Inserter: Browse and insert blocks.
- Settings Panel: Adjust block settings, layout, and design details.
5. Customize Site-Wide Templates
Templates control the layout of your homepage, posts, pages, archives, search results, and more.
- Click on Templates in the sidebar.
- Select a template to edit (for example: Home, Single Post, Page, Archive).
- Add, move, or remove blocks as needed.
- Style blocks using the panel on the right.
6. Edit Template Parts (Header, Footer, etc.)
- Template Parts are reusable sections—like your site’s header or footer.
- Click on Template Parts in the sidebar.
- Edit these to change what appears across your entire site.
7. Use the Styles Panel
- The Styles panel lets you set site-wide colors, typography, and other design elements.
- Click the half-moon icon or Styles in your editor.
- Adjust global colors, fonts, link styles, and more to guide your site’s entire appearance.
8. Preview and Publish
- Use the Preview button to see your changes before they go live.
- Click Save to publish your edits.
- Changes to templates or template parts will reflect across your entire site.
Benefits of WordPress Full Site Editing
Full Site Editing offers powerful advantages for both beginners and experienced web designers.
1. Complete Visual Control
You can design and tweak your entire website visually—no CSS, PHP, or HTML required.
2. No Need for Child Themes
Most changes that previously required creating a child theme—like altering your footer, moving widgets, or updating header layouts—can now be done right in the editor.
3. Faster Prototyping and Redesigns
Want to try a new layout? Preview and implement changes instantly, speeding up redesigns and experimentation.
4. Reusable Design Elements
Create reusable template parts for easy updates across multiple pages.
5. Block Patterns
Block patterns are pre-built groups of blocks. You can quickly add complex layouts—like testimonials, pricing sections, or hero areas—without having to start from scratch.
Challenges and Things to Consider
Full Site Editing is powerful, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
1. Not All Themes are FSE-Compatible
You must use a block theme. Many classic WordPress themes do not support FSE, so check compatibility before starting.
2. Learning Curve
If you’re used to classic WordPress themes and the Customizer, FSE may feel unfamiliar at first. Take your time to explore.
3. Plugin Compatibility
Some plugins may not yet take full advantage of FSE or may interact in unexpected ways with block-based layouts.
4. Limited Advanced Design Controls (for now)
While FSE is growing rapidly, highly advanced design tweaks or custom CSS may still require additional tools or custom code.
Practical Tips and Best Practices for Full Site Editing
To get the most out of Full Site Editing, keep these practical pointers in mind:
1. Start with a Staging Site
- Experiment on a test or staging site first, rather than your live website.
- This allows you to try new templates and layouts without risking your current site’s functionality.
2. Use Block Patterns
- Explore your theme’s block patterns for ready-made layouts.
- Block patterns are a great way to get professionally-designed sections in seconds.
3. Customize Global Styles
- Use Global Styles to keep your website’s typography and colors consistent.
- Changing these in one place will update your site everywhere, making future redesigns simple.
4. Save Custom Template Parts
- Create your own Template Parts for headers, footers, or banners.
- Reuse them across different templates for faster design and easier updates.
5. Back Up Regularly
- If you make lots of changes, regular backups ensure you can always revert to a working state.
- Many hosting providers offer automated backups.
6. Keep Your Site Up to Date
- WordPress FSE features are improving rapidly.
- Update WordPress, themes, and plugins regularly for the best experience and security.
Common Full Site Editing Features to Explore
Some of the exciting features you can use in Full Site Editing include:
- Navigation Block: Build, edit, and design site menus visually.
- Query Loop Block: Create dynamic listings of posts or custom content.
- Post Template: Design how individual posts or pages appear site-wide.
- Site Logo, Site Title, and Tagline Blocks: Easily edit brand visuals and info.
- Template Parts: Reusable sections like headers and footers for fast updates.
- Global Styles: Unified design controls for colors, fonts, and spacing.
Best Themes for Full Site Editing
If you want to explore the full capabilities of FSE, try one of these popular block themes (search for them in the theme directory):
- Twenty Twenty-Four: The default theme showcasing FSE.
- Ollie: A versatile design-forward theme focused on FSE.
- Tove: Fun and vibrant, great for restaurants or cafes.
- Blockbase: A minimal, flexible base for any project.
Remember: new block themes are being released regularly, so keep an eye on the theme directory.
Cost Tips and Considerations
Full Site Editing itself is a free part of WordPress core, and many block themes are also free. However, consider the following cost tips:
- Premium Block Themes: While many FSE-ready themes are free, some premium themes offer advanced pre-built designs or support.
- Premium Plugins: You might want extensions that add block variations or more sophisticated design features. Evaluate if the premium versions meet your needs before purchasing.
- No Extra Shipping Costs: Since FSE is digital, there are no shipping or delivery costs—everything is downloadable.
Final Thoughts: Is Full Site Editing Right for You?
WordPress Full Site Editing marks a major step forward in website design flexibility. It’s perfect for creatives, business owners, and developers who want hands-on control without coding. While there’s a learning curve, especially if you’re used to the old WordPress customizer, the rewards are substantial—speed, flexibility, and future-proof design.
If you’re building a new site, FSE is a fantastic option. For existing sites on classic themes, consider experimenting on a staging copy to get comfortable before switching entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What do I need to get started with WordPress Full Site Editing?
You need an updated WordPress installation (version 5.9 or higher) and a block theme that supports Full Site Editing features.
Can I use Full Site Editing with my current (classic) theme?
No. FSE requires a block-based theme. If your current theme doesn’t support it, you’ll need to switch to a compatible block theme to access all the new editing features.
Is Full Site Editing suitable for non-technical users?
Absolutely! FSE is designed to be user-friendly, making it possible for anyone—regardless of coding knowledge—to customize their entire website visually.
Will Full Site Editing break my existing plugins or content?
Most well-maintained plugins are compatible. However, test your plugins on a staging site to ensure they work correctly with your selected block theme and FSE features.
Can I revert changes or undo edits in Full Site Editing?
Yes. Like the traditional editor, the Site Editor supports undo, redo, and revisions. You can also restore previous versions of templates or template parts if needed.
WordPress Full Site Editing puts the power of complete site customization in your hands. Embrace the new approach, experiment with block themes, and enjoy a more creative, flexible WordPress experience!