How to Use Full Site Editing in WordPress Like a Pro

WordPress has evolved  and with the use of  Full Site Editing in WordPress, you now have the power to design and customise your entire website visually, using blocks.

Gone are the days of editing theme files, struggling with customizer limitations, or depending on third-party page builders. FSE brings everything headers, footers, templates, and style  into one intuitive, drag-and-drop interface.

In this guide, you’ll learn step-by-step how to use Full Site Editing like a pro, whether you're building your first website or refining a more advanced project. Pairing FSE with a WP Theme Bundle can give you access to a variety of professionally designed themes, making it easier to customize your site with consistency and flexibility.

What is Full Site Editing in WordPress? 

Use of Full Site Editing in WordPress is practised as a feature introduced by Gutenberg that lets users customise and design entire websites using blocks with ease on the pages and posts. To make the most of this feature, choosing from the best Gutenberg themes ensures seamless compatibility, modern design flexibility, and faster workflows.

In essence, Full Site Editing aims to democratize web design by providing a more user-friendly and visual way to create and manage WordPress websites from top to bottom using the power of blocks. To use FSE, you must ensure you are running the latest version of WordPress (5.9 or higher) and have activated a block-compatible theme.

Advantages of Full Site Editing in WordPress 

Full Site Editing (FSE) in WordPress offers a significant number of advantages for both website owners and developers. Here's a breakdown of the key benefits: 

• Visual and Intuitive Editing: FSE provides a drag-and-drop interface for designing all parts of your website, making it more user-friendly, especially for those uncomfortable with code. You can see the changes in real time as you build. 
• Great Design Flexibility: You're no longer limited by the pre-defined layouts and customisation options of traditional themes. FSE allows you to create unique designs for headers, footers, sidebars, and page layouts using blocks. 
• Unified Editing Experience: Manage your site's content, layout, and design all within the familiar WordPress block editor interface. This helps in streamlining the workflow, along with reducing the need to switch between customisation sections. 
• Reduced Reliance on Code: While CSS can still be used for advanced customisation, FSE significantly reduces the need for coding knowledge to make significant design changes. This empowers non-technical users to have more control over their website's appearance.
• Improved Consistency: Global Styles allows you to define site-wide styles for elements like typography, colours, and spacing. It helps in creating a consistent look across the entire website. 
• Faster Content and Layout Creation: Block patterns offer pre-designed sections that you can insert and customise, speeding up the process of building pages and ensuring a consistent design across different areas.
• Empowerment and Control: FSE puts more control in the hands of website owners, allowing them to make design and layout updates without needing to hire a developer for every minor change.

How to Access Full Site Editing on WordPress? 

To access the Full Site Editing (FSE) features on your WordPress website, you need to meet the following requirements and follow these steps:

Requirements:

You need to be running WordPress version 5.9 or higher. FSE was introduced in WordPress 5.9. You can check your WordPress version in the bottom right corner of your dashboard or under Dashboard → Updates.

You must have an active block theme installed on your website. Traditional WordPress themes are not compatible with the Site Editor. Block themes are built entirely with blocks and enable the FSE functionality. If you don’t already have one, consider exploring best Gutenberg themes to unlock the full power of FSE.

Once you have the correct WordPress version and an active block theme:

• Navigate to your WordPress Dashboard.
• Search for the “Appearance” tab on the left sidebar.
• Click on "Editor" under the "Appearance" menu.
• If you see "Editor", this means your active theme is a block theme, and you have access to the Full Site Editing interface.

If you do NOT see "Editor" under "Appearance", it indicates that your currently active theme is a traditional (classic) theme and does not support the Site Editor. You will need to switch to a block theme to access FSE. For better performance and flexibility, many users prefer upgrading to responsive WordPress themes that ensure seamless editing across devices.

How to Use Full Site Editing in WordPress? 

Using Full Site Editing (FSE) in WordPress allows you to customise every aspect of your website using the block editor. Here's a step-by-step guide to get you started:

Since you already have WordPress version 5.9 and a block theme, you can now make a move to use full site editing in WordPress: 

Step 1: Access the Site Editor 

1. Navigate to your WordPress Dashboard.
2. In the left-hand sidebar, click on Appearance.
3. Click on Editor. This will open the Site Editor interface.

Step 2: Understanding the Site Editor Interface 

The Site Editor is divided into several key areas:

• WordPress Admin Bar (Top): Provides quick access to the WordPress dashboard and other administrative functions.
• Left Sidebar (Design Panel): This is your primary navigation for FSE. It typically includes:
• Templates: Allows you to edit the structure of different page types.
• Template Parts: Enables you to edit reusable sections like headers and footers.
• Patterns: It offers a set of pre-designed layouts to customise and insert. 
• Styles: It lets you manage global styles easily, including colours, typography and layouts.
• Editing Canvas (Centre): This is where you visually edit the selected template or template part using blocks.
• Top Toolbar (Editor Toolbar): Provides tools for adding blocks, undo/redo actions, list view, block settings, and saving.
• Right Sidebar: Contextual settings for the currently selected block or global styles.

Step 3: Editing Templates 

• Templates define the structure of different page types on your website.
• In the Design Panel (left sidebar), click on Templates.
• You'll see a list of available templates (e.g., Index, Front Page, Single Post, Page, Archive).

Click on the template you want to edit. The editing canvas will display the current structure of that template.

• Adding Blocks: Click the "+" icon in the top toolbar or within the editing canvas to open the block inserter. Search for and add blocks to build the layout. It lets you arrange blocks using the drag-and-drop feature.
• Editing Block Settings: Select a block in the canvas, and its settings will appear in the right sidebar. Customise options like colours, typography, alignment, and more.
• Using Theme Blocks: Block themes provide specific "Theme Blocks" for dynamic content like Post Title, Post Content, Featured Image, Query Loop, Navigation, Site Logo, and Site Title. Use these to build dynamic templates. check out multipurpose WordPress themes that let you design different page structures with ease.
• Saving Changes: Once all your edits are done, hit the save button at the top. For inspiration on layouts and functionality, you can also explore professional WordPress themes designed for modern websites.

Step 4: Editing Template Parts 

Template Parts are reusable sections, like headers and footers, that can be used across multiple templates.

• In the Design Panel, click on Template Parts.
• You'll see a list of available template parts (e.g., Header, Footer).
• Tap the template part you wish to edit. 
• Use the block editor to customise the content and layout of the template part, just like editing a template.

Adding a New Template Part: Click the "+" icon at the top of the Template Parts screen to create a new one. You'll need to give it a name and select an area (e.g., header, footer).

Saving Changes: Click "Save" after making your edits.

Step 5: Using Block Patterns  

Block patterns are the layouts that are pre-designed to quickly insert and customize. 

• While editing a template or template part, click the "+" icon to open the block inserter.
• Navigate to the "Patterns" tab.
• Browse the available patterns by category or search for specific ones.
• Click on a pattern to insert it into your editing canvas.

Once done inserting, the content can be customized, and you can set other individual block patterns. 

Step 6: Customising Global Styles 

Global Styles allow you to control the overall look and feel of your website.

In the Design Panel, click on Styles. You'll see options to customize: 

• Typography: Set default fonts, sizes, line heights, and more for text elements.
• Colours: Define your site's colour palette, including background, text, and link colours.
• Layout: Control default spacing and dimensions.
• Blocks: Customise the default styles for individual blocks.
• Expand each section and adjust the settings as needed. The changes will be reflected across your entire website in real time.
• Style Variations: Some block themes offer style variations, which are pre-set combinations of global styles. You can usually find these at the top of the Styles panel.
• Saving Changes: Hit the “Save” button so that global style changes can be applied. If you want a more advanced design setup, you can also explore customizable WordPress themes for complete flexibility.. 

Step 7: Editing Individual Pages and Posts 

You can also use the block editor to design the content area of individual pages and posts, just like you always have. The difference with FSE is that the surrounding structure is now also managed through the Site Editor.

• Go to Pages, then choose All Pages or Posts and select All Posts.
• To create a new page/ post, you need to open the existing one. 
• Use the block editor to add and arrange content blocks.
• Then the template that is assigned will determine the overall layout section.  

Conclusion 

Using Full Site Editing (FSE) in WordPress like a pro is a journey that involves understanding its core concepts, embracing its visual nature, and leveraging its powerful features. By following the steps outlined, you've gained a solid foundation for customizing every facet of your website using the block editor.

By consistently applying these principles and continuing to explore the capabilities of FSE, you can move beyond basic customization and achieve professional-level control over your WordPress website's design and functionality. You'll be empowered to create truly unique and tailored online experiences without relying heavily on code, ultimately streamlining your workflow and enhancing your creative potential. Exploring premium WordPress themes alongside FSE can further elevate your site’s design and provide professional-grade options for customization.