How to use the WordPress blocks to edit your website.
When you log into your website you’ll land on the Dashboard. The info here is quite limited, although you should see Google Analytics data once it kicks in.
Usually you’ll just want to jump straight to the Pages list, by selecting it in the menu on the left.
The pages are listed in order of the menu. By rolling over a page title you’ll be presented with its options. In most instances you’ll want to click on either the Title or the Edit link to take you to that page.
At the top of most pages is the Cover Block. This displays a full-width image with text overlayed, although if you check you the Homepage cover you’ll see that it can include any WordPress blocks you want.
If you want to replace the image, click in the area of the photo, but not where there is any text. The ‘Replace’ option will appear, along with all the other options for that block. Each type of block has its own specific options.
By selecting Open Media Library you can swap the image with another one in your library of images that have already been uploaded.
Click on ‘Select’ when you you’ve picked the image you want.
Alternatively, you can upload a new image. Either click on the ‘Select Files’ button and find the image on your computer, or simply drag the image(s) from your desktop onto the pane.
The image(s) will upload and be resized if they have a massive filesize, which will speed up the loading time online.
In this example I’ve clicked on the Heading over the cover image and you can see that I could change the size of the heading (please don’t!), or simply edit what it says like any document.
In this example I’ve selected the Gallery block by clicking on the lefthand image, then selecting the parent option on the top left. Sometimes you have to select the parent of nested blocks to get to its options. Buttons and Columns work this way.
I’m going to open up the gallery, ostensibly to edit it, like adding/removing images, or reordering them.
Out of interest you can see I added captions to these images.
There are also links on the images.
I’m going to open up the Media Library…
…where I can Edit the Gallery, or Add to the Gallery. By clicking on the little cross I can remove an image and I can reorder them by dragging them around.
Remember to click on ‘Update Gallery’ when you’re ready.
When you’ve finished editing a page REMEMBER to click on the blue ‘Save’ button at the top right! Then GO AND CHECK WHAT YOU’VE DONE to ensure it’s all correct.
Adding links
You can add links to text very easily. Simply highlight the text you want to add the link to, roll over the options and click on the ‘Link‘ option. Here you can either select one of the website pages or paste your own URL and hit the submit arrow. Save and check the link to ensure it works and goes to where you want!
As with all things, using the WordPress blocks will get easier the more you use them. Generally, if you select a block then roll over the options, a tooltip will indicate what each option will do. There are FURTHER OPTIONS in the pane on the right of the page, in case you want to make deeper tweaks.
As always, I’m just an email away!