WordPress themes have evolved significantly since the platform’s inception. Classic themes, the traditional approach to WordPress development, have been the foundation of website creation for over a decade. Classic themes rely on PHP templates, customizer options, and widget systems to control site appearance and functionality. With the introduction of WordPress 5.9, block themes emerged as part of the Full Site Editing (FSE) initiative, representing a paradigm shift in how websites are built and maintained. Block themes embrace a more visual, drag-and-drop approach to site building, allowing users to construct and modify their sites through a modern interface without necessarily diving into code.

Classic Themes: Strengths and Limitations

Proven Reliability:

  • Time-tested functionality
  • Extensive documentation available
  • Large community support
  • Established compatibility with plugins
  • Generally lighter on resources

Performance:

  • Optimized loading times
  • Less JavaScript dependency
  • Better compatibility with older hosting environments

Developer Control:

  • Precise control over code implementation
  • Direct PHP and template manipulation
  • Granular customization capabilities
  • Established development workflows

Technical Barriers:

  • Requires coding knowledge for customization
  • Limited visual editing options

Block Themes: Strengths and Limitations

User Accessibility:

  • Visual editing interface
  • Reduced technical requirements
  • Faster learning curve

Design Flexibility:

  • Real-time preview changes
  • Dynamic layout options
  • Global style controls
  • Pattern-based design system

Maturity:

  • Relatively new technology
  • Still evolving standards

Both classic and block themes have their place in the WordPress ecosystem. Rather than viewing them as competing alternatives, consider them as different tools suited for different purposes. The key is to match the theme type with your project’s specific needs, technical requirements, and user capabilities.

Choose Classic Themes When:

  • You need proven reliability
  • Performance is crucial
  • You require extensive custom functionality

Choose Block Themes When:

  • You want visual design control
  • You need frequent layout updates
  • You prioritize user-friendly editing

Every project has a different set of requirements. I choose to develop either a classic theme or a block theme to based on the project’s objectives. While some WordPress users like the flexibility that block themes offer, not every user needs or wants to frequently redesign their website. Many users prefer a stable, well-designed layout that they can rely on long-term.