TL;DR: Shift to WordPress block themes for better business scalability and usability
Migrating from classic WordPress themes to block themes improves performance, simplifies maintenance, and makes updates more user-friendly. Block themes reduce reliance on custom coding and third-party page builders, saving time and costs.
• Why switch? Faster loading, better SEO, and intuitive editing for non-developers.
• How to transition? Use a staging site, try native WordPress themes, convert content gradually, and test performance thoroughly.
• Avoid pitfalls: Don’t skip staging, rushing complex layouts, or ignoring client education.
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If the journey of migrating WordPress sites from classic to block themes feels more like a coding labyrinth than a business decision, you’re not alone. For many entrepreneurs and freelancers, shifting to modern block-based themes is a daunting prospect, one filled with technical uncertainties and fear of alienating clients who simply want their websites to work. As someone who believes education must be experiential and slightly uncomfortable, I see this not as a problem but an opportunity to upskill and transform how we think about our online presence.
Mary Ann Aschenbrenner, a longstanding figure in WordPress development who has built everything from business to nonprofit sites, shared her expert breakdown on the WP Tavern podcast episode #185. Her practical approach to transitioning from classic to block themes highlights not just the benefits of block themes but also actionable strategies and hidden challenges. This topic, however, goes far beyond WordPress. It’s a blueprint for founders and developers navigating technological transitions in a world that changes faster than we can fully prepare for it.
Why Should Entrepreneurs Care About Block Themes?
If you’re running a business, here’s the crux: block themes save time, money, and hassle in the long term. Unlike classic themes that often rely on extensive custom coding, block themes leverage a visual editor. This makes updates, redesigns, and day-to-day adjustments easier, even if your tech expertise limits you to recognizing your hosting provider’s dashboard.
- Maintenance: Classic themes demand a higher level of developer input for updates and security patches. A block theme sidesteps much of this by adhering to modern WordPress standards.
- Performance: Many classic themes were built in an era before Google prioritized Core Web Vitals and site speed. Block themes are leaner, faster, and optimized for SEO right out of the box.
- Client Usability: Whether you manage client websites or your own, the block editor offers a customizable, intuitive interface perfect for non-developers. This reduces dependency on third-party page builders like Elementor or Divi, which carry their own costs and limitations.
Switching to block themes isn’t just a technical upgrade; it means embracing a shift that makes your online business more adaptable, future-proof, and easier to scale. As Mary Ann wisely pointed out, “Once you start using the block theme editor, you don’t want to go back. It just makes everything easier.”
How Can You Transition From Classic to Block Themes?
Here’s a common mistake: treating the migration to block themes as a purely technical project. It’s not. Instead, approach it with a strategy that includes business objectives, client education, and careful planning. Based on Mary Ann Aschenbrenner’s methodologies and my personal experience leading tech transformations, here’s how you can migrate efficiently:
- Set up a staging environment. Never make changes directly on a live site. This not only safeguards your uptime but also allows you to experiment without repercussions.
- Install a block theme. Mary Ann recommends starting with native WordPress themes like Twenty Twenty-Four or Twenty Twenty-Five. These are lightweight, well-documented, and ideal for learning.
- Disable the Classic Editor plugin. Most sites running classic themes rely on this plugin as a crutch. Removing it forces the migration process into motion.
- Convert content to blocks. Within the editor, classic content will display as a “Classic Block.” Click “Convert to Blocks” to begin rearranging your elements into the new paradigm. Be prepared to manually adjust intricate layouts like navigation menus or embeds.
- Evaluate with real-world scenarios. Compare how the block version performs in mobile responsiveness, loading speed, and user experience against the classic version. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to measure performance beforehand and afterward.
- Educate and iterate. For clients, especially, offer tutorials on the block editor’s functionality. Use Zoom walkthroughs or recorded screen shares to ensure they feel empowered rather than overwhelmed.
Patience is crucial. While the reorientation from classic themes might take hours to weeks depending on site complexity, the long-term dividends in usability, security, and flexibility are worth every second invested.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Migrating?
Mistakes during migration can lead to downtime, broken websites, and upset clients. Here are the common traps to dodge:
- Skipping the staging process: Never work directly on your live site unless you’re ready for a baptism by fire.
- Rushing through content conversion: Assume that automated processes will fail for complex sections like nested columns or custom widgets. Plan for manual intervention.
- Ignoring client buy-in: A client who’s unprepared for the block editor will see this as a downgrade, not an upgrade. Spend time educating them on the benefits.
- Overloading with unnecessary plugins: The block editor eliminates the need for many plugins. Always prioritize core functionality before re-adding external tools.
As Mary Ann noted in her experience, even experts stumble on navigation-related bugs and compatibility issues. Don’t rush; test and retest your results from multiple devices and browsers.
The Future of Entrepreneurship Education: What WordPress Teaches Us
The shift from classic themes to block themes isn’t just happening in WordPress. This is a microcosm of how technology evolves in every sector. Businesses that cling to outdated systems, whether it be website frameworks or customer acquisition methods, will find themselves unable to keep up. As someone who pioneered gamepreneurship with Fe/male Switch, I’ve seen this truth firsthand: experiential education and living systems trump static tools every time.
If you’re new to entrepreneurship or WordPress, don’t let fear of transition stop you. This is your chance to implement modern building practices that scale alongside your ambitions. Whether that’s consolidating your site with a block theme or rethinking your entire approach to education and skill-building, the principles remain the same: test, learn, iterate, and always adapt to the next challenge.
For those ready to take it a step further and gamify their learning in other parts of their business life, explore platforms like Fe/male Switch. They don’t just help you play; they prepare you to win.
FAQ on Transitioning from Classic to Block Themes
Why should I switch to block themes for my WordPress website?
Switching to block themes enhances website performance, reduces maintenance costs, and is optimized for Core Web Vitals, boosting SEO. They offer user-friendly tools for easier updates and future-proofing. Discover the role of WordPress in startup success.
How do block themes impact SEO performance?
Block themes are leaner and optimized for mobile responsiveness, significantly influencing today's Google-driven SEO strategies. Learn how to avoid common SEO pitfalls during transitions by ensuring canonical tags and data accuracy. Check out this SEO guide for startups.
What is the first step to transitioning from a classic to a block theme?
The process begins with setting up a staging environment to keep your live site unaffected. From there, you can experiment with WordPress-native block themes like Twenty Twenty-Four or Twenty Twenty-Five. Learn more about startup adaptability in tech.
Which mistakes should I avoid during migration to block themes?
Avoid skipping the staging process, overloading plugins, and ignoring client education. Planning for manual layout fixes is crucial for ensuring website functionality. Read about common mistakes during platform shifts.
How do I convert content to blocks on the block editor?
Classic content appears as a “Classic Block” in the editor. Click “Convert to Blocks” and rearrange elements, especially for intricate layouts like navigation menus. Prioritize UI and user experience refinements. Explore WordPress's essential transition tips.
What are the benefits of educating clients on block themes?
Educating clients about block themes, through tutorials or walkthroughs, empowers them to manage updates effectively while minimizing technical dependency. This shift can improve productivity and retention. Learn why UX education is pivotal.
Can block themes replace page builders like Elementor or Divi?
Yes! Block themes allow for streamlined workflows and reduced reliance on third-party page builders, which can add unnecessary code and slow site speed. Block themes are also more cost-effective for long-term site management.
What role does mobile optimization play in block themes?
Block themes are natively mobile-optimized, offering faster loading speeds and superior mobile interface designs. Optimization ensures better rankings and an enhanced user experience across devices. See how Google Discover is reshaping content creation.
How can patterns and templates simplify site-building with block themes?
WordPress patterns let users drag-and-drop pre-designed sections, significantly reducing effort in layout creation. This makes it easy for non-developers to build professional websites. Find innovative ideas for design tools.
What broader lessons can startups learn from tech transitions like this?
Transitions like moving to block themes underline the value of staying updated, testing improvements, and client communication during change management, a valuable lesson for all businesses navigating technological shifts. Explore experiential education principles in startups.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the “gamepreneurship” methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the point of view of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.