When WordPress first introduced the block editor (commonly known as Gutenberg), it marked a major shift in how WordPress websites are built and managed. This shift has evolved over the years, leading to the introduction of Full Site Editing (FSE) and block-based themes. While FSE is a powerful tool, many website owners and developers are still more comfortable working with classic or hybrid themes. These themes allow you to use the block editor for page and post content without fully committing to FSE. But what exactly are the differences between classic and hybrid themes, and how do block-based workflows fit into this?

The Evolution of WordPress Themes

WordPress has undergone numerous changes since its inception, and theming has been one of the most notable areas of transformation. Traditionally, WordPress themes were built using PHP templates, where every aspect of the website’s structure was hardcoded. This approach, while highly customizable for developers, made it difficult for non-technical users to create or modify complex page layouts without custom coding or relying on shortcodes. Over the years, theme options evolved to be available in themes under the Customizer theme options panel along with the use of widgets, modules that could be added to various positions that could apply across multiple pages. This definitely improved the ability for non-developers to build out WordPress themes, but it still often felt disconnected from the rest of the page design building process.

With the introduction of the block editor, WordPress started moving toward a more flexible design process including theme options and global styling. The block editor allows users to create complex layouts and insert various types of content (text, images, buttons, etc.) without needing to know any code and full site editing options extended that idea.

However, adopting this new approach didn’t mean abandoning the classic theme structure entirely. This is where hybrid themes come in, they offer the best of both worlds, blending the familiar template and theme customizer options approach of classic themes with the flexibility and speed of the block editor.

Classic Themes

What is a Classic Theme?

Classic themes are what most developers and website owners are familiar with. They use PHP files to define the layout of pages, headers, footers, and sidebars, and often rely on the WordPress Customizer to adjust site-wide settings like colors, fonts, and logos. While the block editor can still be used in classic themes for managing post and page content, the site’s overall layout is dictated by PHP templates and the selected options available as part of the Customizer or global options panel.

How Does the Classic Workflow Work?

In a classic theme, if you wanted to change the layout of your homepage or footer, for instance, you’d need to edit the theme files directly, usually by modifying the PHP code or by using the Customizer, but when it comes to more advanced changes, custom coding is often necessary. Many classic themes also rely heavily on shortcodes, custom fields, and widgets to add dynamic content or layouts within a page or post.

Pros and Cons of Classic Themes

Pros:

• Stability: Classic themes are tried-and-true. Developers have been working with them for years, so there’s a high level of reliability and a large knowledge base.
• Plugin Compatibility: Classic themes generally work with every plugin, given their long history and compatibility with the traditional WordPress ecosystem.
• Familiarity: For developers comfortable with PHP, classic themes offer complete control over the website’s structure and for designers who already understand the WordPress Customizer GUI, it provides enough adjustment options in many cases.

Cons:

• Limited Flexibility: Depending on your classic theme, making substantial changes to a classic theme often requires a developer. Non-technical users may find it difficult to customize layouts or add new features without additional tools like page builders.
• Static Templates: The structure of classic themes can be rigid. Unless a developer builds in custom options or your commercial theme includes theme, end-users have limited control over the layout of their site beyond what’s offered in the Customizer.

Hybrid Themes: Classic Options with Block-Based Workflows

What is a Hybrid Theme?

Hybrid themes are designed to provide the flexibility of the block editor without fully committing to Full Site Editing (FSE). In essence, hybrid themes blend the traditional PHP-based structure of classic themes with block-based elements. These themes allow users to take advantage of block-based content creation but still rely on classic templates for broader site structure elements like headers, footers, options and sidebars.

How Does the Hybrid Workflow Work?

Hybrid themes make use of the block editor for content areas, posts, pages, and in some cases, specific templates like custom footers or call-to-action sections. The WordPress Customizer or theme options panels are often still used for site-wide settings along with widgets, but block templates might be introduced for individual sections of the site.

For instance, you might create a landing page entirely using the block editor, with drag-and-drop functionality for content blocks, while your site’s header and footer remain controlled by the classic options of your theme.

Advantages of Hybrid Themes Over Classic Themes

Hybrid themes offer a middle ground between the rigidity of classic themes and the full flexibility of block themes. For example:

• You can take advantage of the block editor’s drag-and-drop functionality and frontend loading speed for creating complex page layouts.
• Developers can maintain the predictability and familiarity of PHP templates for site-wide structure, while users get more control over page content.
• Hybrid themes often perform better than classic themes that rely on third-party page builders like Elementor, Divi, Beaver Builder, etc. because blocks are natively integrated into WordPress.

Block-Based Workflows in Classic and Hybrid Themes

What is a Block-Based Workflow?

A block-based workflow is a method of building pages using the WordPress block editor. Instead of relying on shortcodes or traditional third party page builders like Elementor, users can create dynamic and complex layouts using the blocks provided by WordPress or additional block libraries like Kadence, GenerateBlocks, etc.

Blocks allow users to insert content and design elements like text, images, buttons, and columns directly into the page or post editor. These blocks can be styled and arranged in real-time, without needing to write any custom HTML or CSS. You can even mix and match different block vendors as well, although many experts recommending sticking to one block-based ecosystem when possible such as using Kadence Blocks combined with their Kadence hybrid theme.

How Blocks Fit into Classic Themes

Even if you’re using a classic theme, you can still use the block editor for creating page and post content. While the overall structure of your site is still controlled by PHP templates and the Customizer options, blocks provide more flexibility in designing individual pages. For instance, you might use the block editor to create a multi-column layout or add custom call-to-action buttons within a blog post.

How Blocks Fit into Hybrid Themes

Hybrid themes take block-based workflows one step further by allowing blocks to be used not only in posts and pages but also in specific templates, such as footers, headers, or landing pages. Block patterns and templates give users more design freedom while still relying on traditional templates for site-wide structure. Plugins like Kadence Blocks or GenerateBlocks extend the native functionality of the block editor in such a hybrid approach, allowing for even more complex designs and even headers, footers and more.

Why FSE Isn’t Required for Block Workflows

While Full Site Editing (FSE) expands block-based design to cover every aspect of the site, it’s not necessary for most use cases. Classic and hybrid themes allow you to use the block editor for content creation without needing to redesign the entire site structure using blocks. This makes block-based workflows accessible without requiring a major shift in your theme’s underlying framework.

Full Site Editing (FSE)

What is FSE?

Full Site Editing (FSE) is the next evolution of WordPress’s block-based design philosophy. With FSE, every aspect of a website, from the header to the footer and everything in between, can be built using blocks. FSE essentially removes the need for PHP templates by replacing them with block-based templates that can be managed within the WordPress dashboard itself. This makes things extremely powerful with the ability to control the entire website experience from the GUI itself without limiting backend users to what theme options have been built out by the developers.

When FSE Isn’t Necessary

While FSE is powerful, it’s not always required. In fact, many websites benefit from the simplicity and stability of classic or hybrid themes without needing full site customization. If you don’t need to control every element of your website using blocks, then a hybrid or classic theme will likely suit your needs and make things less overwhelming.

For example, if your focus is on creating custom page layouts for landing pages or blog posts, the block editor can handle that without FSE. You don’t need to rebuild your header or footer using blocks if they are already functioning well in their theme with the available Customizer or theme options panel.

Why Some Users Avoid FSE

• Complexity and Learning Curve: FSE introduces a new layer of complexity for developers and site owners who are used to traditional theming practices. It uses a very different backend UI and rewrites the entire theme building approach. Designing an entire site with blocks requires a shift in mindset and skills, which may not be feasible for every developer or client.
• Stability: Classic and hybrid themes provide more predictability, especially for websites that need to remain stable during updates or for those that rely on legacy plugins. FSE is still early in its adoption compared to how far block-based workflows have come. This may change in the future, but many avoid it for this reason alone.

Hybrid Themes: The Best of Both Worlds

Hybrid themes offer a flexible solution for users who want to take advantage of the block editor without fully committing to FSE. With hybrid themes, you get:

• Flexibility: Use blocks for specific areas like pages and footers while keeping the stability of traditional templates. They are vastly more stable than the classic WordPress editor without requiring the bloat of a third party page builder.
• Performance: Block-based workflows integrated directly into WordPress almost always lead to faster load times compared to third-party page builders like Elementor.
• Customization without Complexity: Hybrid themes offer more control over page content while avoiding the complexities of FSE’s site-wide customization.

Classic, Hybrid, or FSE?

Choosing the right theme depends on your specific needs:

• Classic Themes: Ideal for those who prioritize stability and familiarity and are comfortable with traditional PHP-based templates. They still have their place if you want complete control, have a large budget and are not ready to lean into blocks at all yet.
• Hybrid Themes: Perfect for users who want the flexibility of blocks for content creation while maintaining the reliability of classic themes for overall site structure. In our opinion, this is the best approach for most users.
• Block Themes & FSE: Best suited for users who want total control over their entire website layout, from the header to the footer, using blocks and are ready to go all-in with blocks.

At the end of the day, while Full Site Editing is an exciting and powerful option, it is not always necessary for every website. Classic and hybrid themes still offer plenty of flexibility, especially when combined with the block editor. Whether you need the full customization of FSE or prefer the familiar reliability of traditional theme structures, there’s a solution that fits your workflow.

At Inspry, we help clients choose the right theme approach for their specific needs, balancing modern design flexibility with reliable, tried-and-tested practices. Whether you’re ready to embrace Full Site Editing or prefer to stick with a classic or hybrid theme, our team can guide you through the process, ensuring your website remains fast, functional, and easy to manage.

Ready to explore the best solution for your WordPress site? Contact us today for a consultation and see how we can help you take full advantage of block-based workflows without the complexity of Full Site Editing.