🧩 WordPress Block Themes vs. Classic Themes: A Beginner's Guide
If you're new to WordPress, you might have heard about Block Themes and Classic Themes — and wondered,
"What's the difference? Which one should I use?"
Let's break it down in plain English:

🌟 What is a Classic Theme?
Classic Themes are the traditional WordPress themes we've had for many years.
They work mainly with:

PHP templates (header.php, footer.php, page.php, etc.)

Customizer (for theme settings like logo, colors, fonts)

Widgets (to add small features in sidebars or footers)

Shortcodes (small bits of code inside posts/pages to display things)

To edit a Classic Theme, you usually:

Go into the WordPress Customizer

Write some custom code (PHP/CSS)

Or install a Page Builder plugin (like Elementor)

📜 Example of Classic Themes:

Astra

OceanWP

Divi

🧱 What is a Block Theme?
Block Themes are the new way WordPress is heading (since WordPress 5.9 and later).
They use the Full Site Editing (FSE) system, meaning everything is built with blocks — not just posts and pages.

Block Themes are built using:

Site Editor (no more customizer — you edit the whole site visually)

Template Parts (you can change the header, footer, blog layout directly, without coding)

Global Styles (change colors, fonts, and spacing site-wide easily)

No Widgets (everything is a block now!)

To edit a Block Theme, you just open the Site Editor and drag-and-drop blocks.

🧩 Example of Block Themes:

Twenty Twenty-Three

Frost

Bricksy

⚡ Quick Comparison Table
Feature   Classic Themes   Block Themes
Editing Method   Customizer + PHP files   Full Site Editor (Visual)
Flexibility   Good (needs plugins)   Excellent (built-in)
Coding Needed?   Sometimes (PHP/CSS)   Rarely (mostly drag-and-drop)
Widgets Support   Yes   No (use Blocks instead)
Best For   Traditional websites   Modern, flexible websites
Learning Curve   Easier for coders   Easier for beginners/designers
🎯 Which One Should You Choose?
If you love flexibility, visual editing, and fewer plugins → 👉 Go for Block Themes.

If you prefer stability, classic plugins, or have a heavily customized old site → 👉 Stick with Classic Themes.

Pro Tip: WordPress is clearly moving toward Block Themes being the future,
so if you're starting fresh in 2025 — it's smart to learn them!

🛠� Bonus: How to Check if a Theme is a Block Theme
When you browse WordPress themes:

Look for a tag like "Full Site Editing" or "Block Theme"

Or check if it says it uses "Templates" and "Template Parts" in the description.

✅ If it has a Site Editor, it's a Block Theme!
❌ If it only has a Customizer, it's a Classic Theme.

🎉 Final Thoughts
👉 Classic Themes are still powerful and used by millions.
👉 Block Themes are the future, making WordPress more like Webflow or Wix — but better, because you own everything.

No coding? No problem. Full control? You got it.

Would you also like me to make a simple infographic or a mini cheat sheet you can save for quick reference? 📚✨