What Is Gutenberg, Exactly?
Gutenberg is WordPress’s native block editor — built directly into the core of WordPress since version 5.0. Unlike external builders, it’s designed to be fast, extensible, and deeply integrated with the platform. Developers can create custom blocks, layouts, and tools without relying on third-party frameworks or plugin bloat.
The Problem with Page Builders
Page builders promise flexibility, but behind the scenes, they come with serious trade-offs:
- Bloated Code: They generate massive, nested HTML and load dozens of scripts and styles, even if your design is simple.
- Performance Issues: Slower load times, especially on mobile, can hurt SEO and frustrate users.
- Maintenance Headaches: Updates can break layouts. You’re also locked into proprietary formats.
- Limited Extensibility: Custom features are harder to implement cleanly or efficiently.
If your site is page-builder dependent, you’re often working around WordPress instead of with it.
The Advantages of Going Native with Gutenberg
Here’s why I build with Gutenberg at GoodCodeStudio — and why I recommend it to every client:
⚡ Better Performance
Gutenberg outputs cleaner, leaner markup. That means faster load times and better scores on tools like PageSpeed Insights or Core Web Vitals.
🧼 Cleaner Codebase
Without third-party builder layers, your site runs on native WordPress functions — making it more secure, stable, and future-proof.
🖼 Modern Editing Experience
Clients get an intuitive editor that reflects the front-end layout, without needing to learn a bloated builder interface.
🧩 Easier Customization
Need a unique content block, layout, or functionality? Custom blocks can be developed to do exactly what you need — no compromises or workarounds.
🔐 Less Plugin Lock-In
With Gutenberg, your content remains usable and intact even if you change themes or restructure your site.
My Approach
At GoodCodeStudio, we use Gutenberg to give clients the best of both worlds: a highly customized site and an intuitive editing experience. We build custom block-based themes that are lean, modular, and easy to expand — without compromising performance or design control.
Real-World Example
A recent project involved rebuilding a service-based business website that was originally built with Elementor. After switching to a custom block-based theme:
- Page load time dropped from 4.6s to under 1.2s
- Bounce rate decreased by 23%
- Organic traffic improved by 18% within 60 days
All without changing the content — just better code and smarter design.
Final Thoughts
Page builders had their moment, but for businesses that care about speed, sustainability, and simplicity, Gutenberg is the clear choice. It’s where WordPress is headed — and where your site should be too.
Want a cleaner, faster, more future-proof WordPress site?
