Image Source: freepik
Today, we all have the newest version of WordPress that is 5.6 with us but the features and functionalities released in the WordPress 5.5 version made such significant modifications due to which once again “WordPress” has become the outstanding web development framework. The trending WordPress 5.5 “Eckstine” version got released on 11th August.
Let’s take an in-depth look at the WordPress 5.5 features and functionalities.
What New Features Arrived In WordPress 5.5 “Eckstine”
Plugins For Themes And Auto-updates
WordPress framework included numerous new plugins and themes; yet, auto-update for themes and plugins wasn’t available earlier.
But now it incorporated a plugin and theme auto-update feature that permits WordPress developers to understand that their website is working on the latest code.
Source: wpbeginner
This update enables you to turn auto-update “off” and “on” for every plugin or theme individually you have installed. But, you will be optimizing each plugin update on the same screen.
Zip Files For Uploading Updates
With the new version of WordPress, you can manually update themes, but for that, you need to upload Zip files.
New Block Editor Features In WordPress
In WordPress 5.5, the inclusion of 10 versions of the Gutenberg plugin to the core is the most significant cherishing feature. This new WordPress update included amazing features, enhancements, UI enrichment, and bug fixes that renew the overall editing experience of the framework, including usability and performance.
The list of WordPress 5.5 features included in the block editor id the official announcement of plugin release 7.5 to 8.5.
– Inline Image Editing
– Block Patterns
– Block Design Tools
– New UI Design
– The Block Directory and Block Plugins
– Block Categories and New Block Inserter Panel
In-depth Look Of These Features
Block Patterns
Img Source: wpbeginner
New WordPress 5.5 included a new block pattern that permits you to build stunning layouts easily with fun and employ various sorts of text and media to mix & match as per your requirement.
Altogether, there is no shortage of block patterns themes and plugins you can select any of them from a single place. Basically, Gutenberg 7.7 and 7.8 included block patterns in March 2020 with APIs from themes and plugins.
These patterns are predetermined layouts for making blocks in design that enables users to introduce complicated structures of nested blocks on web pages. This feature supports site managers to lessen the blank page problems and build attractive layouts and compelling views with ease.
Moreover, they enable you to update your web page in blocks which is one of the added perks of this feature.
New UI Design
Img Source: wpbeginner
When it comes to building incredible web page design, then Gutenberg plugins are the best, as it brings small but helpful enhancements that modify overall editing experience. Many of the modifications have been introduced in the core of WordPress, so if you launch the block editor, you will experience a notable change that will make you happy.
What will you find in this editor? – uncomplicated block toolbar, latest icons, robust color contrast, surrounding elements, device previews, enhanced drag & drop, block movers, and more. This block focuses on UI styling, various block formatting, and better performance.
New Block Directory
Img Source: wpbeginner
WordPress’ latest version block directory allows you to obtain, install third party blocks from the block inserter, just by exploring for a block on the screen.
The plugin directory includes a list of plugins, that empowers you to choose “block plugins” and insert them to your editor easily. Altogether, it enables you to get a third-party block from the WordPress community, which is an excellent feature to adopt in 2020.
You can produce your own blocks and promulgate them into your own index, which makes it an admirable web development framework.
Inline Image Editing
Image editing is a major problem that experts face while designing any web page. This WordPress current version editing feature permits you to utilize a new block editor with Gutenberg 8.4, which empowers you to edit pictures straight within the block.
Which now, WordPress 5.5 will allow users to rotate, adjust, crop, zoom image position within the media library and present you with a more agile editing experience.
Block Category & Revamped Block Inserter Panel
The block inserter is another excellent service in WordPress 5.5 that empowers you to recognize blocks and patterns on the basis of vital improvements, editing experience, categories, and simple block pattern search.
This feature allows you to inject blocks easily without any trouble. Altogether, you don’t require to be a PHP specialist for building custom blocks as just a little knowledge of JavaScript would offer you a better result.
If you don’t know how to create a block, then get in touch with WordPress developers for hire to hold your hand every time in hard times.
Image Lazy Loading
Img Src: wpbeginner
Another mind-blowing feature that is being boosted by several WordPress users is “lazy loading”. Its name includes enough wonder for the features, while it supports image loading for apparent images to the users.
It means the images visible to the user will load quicker, and other picture loadings will get delayed. WordPress 5.5 is setting it as the default for sites by catering the “loading” property to the IMG tag.
Every modern browser supports this feature. It benefits in improving the website’s activity & performance. Altogether, it is also a notable perk for WordPress hosting companies.
Note: This feature is not supported by safari only.
Today, WordPress is raising 35% of websites over the web, and this feature will magnify the speed for sites while increasing bandwidth, electricity, and server sources.
New Default XML Sitemaps In WordPress
If publishing a site map is a great pain for you, then it is good news for you as now WordPress will publish the website sitemap automatically.
It is a very significant feature to assure the best SEO practice. It will be a great comfort for beginners unaware of site map invention. Though, WordPress XML sitemaps have a few traits and functionalities to accompany them.
WordPress is utilizing the skills of two powerful SEO plugins that is SEO Pack and Yoast SEO that will present your XML sitemaps.
These are the few leading features introduced in WordPress’s latest version, which is 5.5. Well, I am sure that you will be pleased to see these innovations, as they will make web design & development quite simple and user-friendly.
Know more about WordPress 5.5 …
Why is WordPress 5.5 Is Better Than Other Versions?
Source: freepik
Better Loading Speed
Web development’s most crucial aspect is page loading speed. The huge number of elements and images slows down the page loading speed. But this WordPress latest version will take page loading to the next level by introducing vital features like block features for efficiency, lazy load, and custom block creation.
Accessibility
Each WordPress publication brings in some enrichment like WordPress’s current version combines higher accessibility for publishing.
It enables you to copy links in media screens and modal dialogues. Additionally, this latest feature of WordPress permits you to move meta boxes employing the keyboard and image editing.
Security
Another foremost aspect of every application is enhanced data security, particularly when it comes to installing plugins. Codes can be a little messy and go complex sometimes which makes heavy applications.
The automatic plugin updates feature introduces incredible security that ultimately makes the web development framework amazingly easy.
Major Issues Encountered Earlier In WordPress 5.5
After the release of WordPress 5.5, various flaws and issues have been countered by the expertise. Here I am listing primary problems that will soon be fixed by the WordPress team.
1) SiteMap Bug: This latest version has a pagination error which is stopping page sitemap redirection and producing unexpected behavior.
2) JavaScript Error: The appearance of older plugins and themes are creating errors that are blocking the publishing of articles and images. The WordPress programmer can fix this bug by making changes in the source code.
Wrapping Up
WordPress 5.5 release is enhanced with numerous unimaginable features that make it an excellent choice for your web application development project.
Advanced performance, improved speed, and features like lazy page loading are blessings for web page development. Altogether, this framework is extremely SEO friendlier than other web development tools and provides access to top SEO plugins.
If you are thinking of creating your web platform, you should hire WordPress developers from the best WordPress application development company; this will help your business in building a unique and impactful web app.
