WordPress themes have come a long way since the platform started, and honestly, the evolution has been pretty wild to watch as a developer. For over a decade, we’ve been building sites with classic themes – the traditional approach that relies on PHP templates, customizer options, and widget systems to make everything work.

Then WordPress 5.9 dropped and changed the game with block themes and Full Site Editing (FSE). Suddenly everyone was talking about this new visual, drag-and-drop approach that lets you build sites without touching code. Sounds amazing, right? Well, it’s complicated.

Let me break down what each approach actually means for your website and business goals.

Classic Themes: The Reliable Workhorses

Classic themes are like that dependable car that just keeps running. They’ve been around forever, and there’s a good reason for that – they work.

Why Classic Themes Still Rock:

They’re Battle-Tested Classic themes have been through every WordPress update, plugin conflict, and hosting environment you can imagine. When I build a classic theme, I’m working with technology that’s been refined for over a decade. No surprises, no “oops, this feature broke in the latest update” moments.

The documentation is extensive, the community support is massive, and pretty much every plugin in existence knows how to play nice with classic themes. It’s the safe bet that actually pays off.

Performance That Actually Matters Here’s something most people don’t talk about: classic themes are generally lighter and faster. They don’t need to load the heavy JavaScript that powers the visual editing features of block themes. For users on slower connections or budget hosting, this difference is huge.

When your competitor’s flashy block theme is still loading, your classic theme has already made the sale.

Complete Developer Control With classic themes, I can control exactly how every pixel behaves. Need a specific functionality? I write the PHP. Want a unique layout? I build the template. No fighting with visual editors or working around limitations – just pure, custom code that does exactly what you need.

The Reality Check Classic themes do require coding knowledge for serious customization. If you want to change more than colors and fonts, you’ll need a developer. The visual editing options are limited compared to what block themes offer.

Block Themes: The New Kids on the Block

Block themes represent WordPress’s vision of the future – visual editing, drag-and-drop layouts, and the promise that anyone can build beautiful websites without code.

Why Block Themes Are Interesting:

User-Friendly Design Control The visual editing interface is genuinely impressive. You can see changes in real-time, drag elements around, and create layouts without touching code. For businesses that want to frequently update their design or have non-technical team members managing content, this is pretty appealing.

Modern Development Approach Block themes align with current web standards and come with built-in responsive design. The pattern-based system means you can create consistent design elements and reuse them throughout your site.

The Growing Pains But here’s the thing – block themes are still relatively new. The technology is evolving rapidly, which means what works today might need adjustment tomorrow. There are fewer theme options available, and plugin compatibility can be hit or miss.

I’ve seen businesses get excited about the visual editing capabilities, only to discover that their essential plugins don’t work properly with their chosen block theme.

The Real Question: What Does Your Business Actually Need?

After working with both approaches extensively, I’ve realized that the “best” choice depends entirely on what you’re trying to accomplish.

Go with Classic Themes When:

  • You need a website that just works, reliably, for years
  • Performance is crucial for your business
  • You have specific functionality requirements that need custom coding
  • You prefer stability over frequent design changes
  • You work with a developer who can handle customizations

Consider Block Themes When:

  • Your team wants visual control over design elements
  • You frequently update layouts or run design experiments
  • You have a modern hosting environment that can handle the extra resources
  • You’re comfortable working with newer technology that’s still evolving

My Take After Building Both

Here’s my honest perspective: not every WordPress user needs or wants to constantly rebuild their website. While block themes offer this LEGO-like flexibility to rearrange elements, many business owners prefer a stable, well-designed layout they can rely on long-term.

I’ve had clients get excited about the ability to drag and drop elements, only to realize they never actually use those features. They just want a professional website that works well, loads fast, and helps them grow their business.

The flexibility of block themes isn’t necessarily beneficial for all users. Many site owners prioritize stability and consistency over the ability to frequently reorganize their website’s structure. They’d rather focus on their business than experiment with layouts.

The Bottom Line

Both classic and block themes have their place, and I develop both depending on what makes sense for each project. The key is matching the technology to your actual needs, not the latest trend.

If you’re building a business website that needs to perform reliably, generate leads, and support your growth for years to come, the proven stability of classic themes often wins out. If you’re running a creative agency that needs to constantly showcase new layouts and design experiments, block themes might be worth the trade-offs.

Need Help Choosing the Right Approach?

Every project is different, and the wrong choice can cost you time, money, and opportunities. Whether you need a rock-solid classic theme or want to explore the possibilities of block themes, I can help you make the right decision based on your specific business needs.

I develop both classic and block themes depending on what will best serve my clients’ objectives. The goal isn’t to use the latest technology – it’s to build a website that actually works for your business.

Ready to discuss which approach makes sense for your project?