WordPress Block Editor: 10 Useful Tips & Tricks

The WordPress Block Editor (formerly known as Gutenberg) has come a long way.

What started as a simple replacement for the classic editor has evolved into a powerful visual editing experience that gives users far more control over page layouts, content creation, and website management.

At Urbansoul Design, we build bespoke WordPress websites designed to make editing simple, flexible, and stress-free. Whether you’re completely new to WordPress or already comfortable using the editor, these tips can help you work faster and get more from your website.

1. Use the Slash Shortcut to Add Blocks Quickly

One of the easiest ways to speed up content creation is by using the forward slash shortcut.

Simply type:

/

…within a paragraph block to instantly search for and insert a new block.

For example:

/image

/heading

/gallery

/button

It’s much quicker than searching through the full block library every time.

2. Reuse Content With Patterns & Reusable Blocks

If you regularly use the same content layouts — such as call-to-actions, testimonials, contact sections, or FAQs — reusable blocks and patterns can save a huge amount of time.

Instead of rebuilding sections repeatedly, you can create them once and insert them anywhere across your website.

This is especially useful for maintaining consistency across pages.

3. Learn the List View

For more complex page layouts, the List View panel is incredibly useful.

It gives you a clear overview of every block on the page and makes it much easier to:

• Reorder sections
• Select nested blocks
• Navigate large pages
• Organise layouts quickly

If you’ve ever struggled clicking the right block directly on the page, List View will make life much easier.

4. Use Keyboard Shortcuts

Like most modern software, WordPress includes a range of helpful keyboard shortcuts.

Some useful ones include:

• Ctrl/Cmd + S — Save draft
• Ctrl/Cmd + Z — Undo
• Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Z — Redo
• Ctrl/Cmd + A — Select all blocks
• Shift + Alt + H — View all shortcuts

Once you get used to them, editing becomes noticeably faster.

5. Keep Your Content Structured

Good formatting improves readability for both users and search engines.

Try to structure pages using:

• Clear headings
• Short paragraphs
• Bullet points
• Images and spacing
• Logical content sections

The Block Editor makes it easy to create clean, modern layouts without needing coding knowledge.

6. Optimise Images Before Uploading

Large image files are one of the biggest causes of slow websites.

Before uploading images to WordPress:

• Resize them appropriately
• Compress file sizes
• Use modern formats like WebP where possible

Smaller, optimised images help your website load faster and improve overall performance.

7. Use Drag-and-Drop Layout Controls

The Block Editor makes rearranging content simple.

You can drag blocks into position or use the up/down movement controls to restructure pages without affecting the rest of the layout.

This flexibility is one of the biggest advantages of modern WordPress editing.

8. Preview Your Website on Different Devices

Always preview pages before publishing.

WordPress allows you to quickly check how your content appears on:

• Desktop
• Tablet
• Mobile devices

With more users browsing on mobile than ever before, responsive layouts are essential.

9. Keep Plugins to a Minimum

It’s tempting to install plugins for every small feature, but too many plugins can slow your website down and create maintenance or security issues.

A well-built bespoke website should already include most of the functionality you actually need.

When choosing plugins, focus on quality over quantity.

10. Don’t Overcomplicate Your Pages

One of the most common mistakes we see is trying to add too much to a page.

Cleaner layouts usually perform better.

Focus on:

• Clear messaging
• Strong calls to action
• Good spacing
• Simple navigation
• High-quality visuals

A polished, easy-to-use page almost always creates a better experience than something overloaded with animations and unnecessary content.

Why the Block Editor Works So Well for Bespoke Websites

At Urbansoul Design, we build bespoke WordPress websites that fully embrace the flexibility of the modern Block Editor.

Rather than overwhelming clients with unnecessary controls and bloated page builders, we create streamlined editing experiences tailored to your business.

That means you get:

• Easier content management
• Faster website performance
• Flexible layouts
• Cleaner code
• Better long-term scalability

Most importantly, you stay in control of your website without needing technical expertise.

Whether you need a completely new website or want to improve an existing one, we create bespoke WordPress websites that are fast, flexible, and easy to manage.