WordPress 5.9: Change the Way Web Developers Build Websites

43.3% of websites on the internet are powered by WordPress (kinsta.com- WordPress statistics)

Launched in 2003, WordPress, a Content Management System, is most famous for developing blog sites, B2-B and B2C business sites, and online e-commerce platforms. Internet's raging websites like Spotify, TechCrunch, Facebook Newsroom, Microsoft news, and The White House Website are built on WordPress.

It is a revolutionizing platform used widely by website creators for web development. The importance of WordPress is such that organizations hire web developers who have a thorough knowledge of this software. It is a platform with a community of diverse users worldwide which is easy t build and maintain. It updates and introduces better versions of itself for users to create and interact with ease.

Recently, WordPress announced a newer version, WordPress5.9, in 2022. But before we know more about this big news and the features of 5.9, let's go through the basics first.

What is WordPress?

A content management system with an open-source that is easy to build even without prior web development experience. Many sites and platforms are built using WordPress.

Lifestyle Blogs

Newsrooms

Professional Portfolio

Membership Sites

E-Commerce Stores

Mobile Applications

It is an ever-evolving platform built on PHP & MySQL and has been upgraded many times since its launch in 2003.

WordPress Time Line

2003- Recreated and launched by Matt Mullenweg

2004- Version 1.2 gave web developers the leverage to write their plugins and share them with the community.

2005- WordPress 1.5 included pages, comment tools, and a default theme Kubrick making it a theme-ready platform. The same year another update introduced a new admin dashboard.

2006- A milestone was marked as Matt Mullenweg filed for trademark and registration of logo.

2008- Happy Cog joined WordPress and added new features such as built-in plugins, shortcodes, etc.

2010- Two significant events took place this year. The ownership was transferred to WordPress Foundation, making it an ever-growing project.

The release of WordPress 3.0 makes this platform a Content Management System with the introduction of headers, menus, post types, and much more.

2013- WordPress 3.7 was released, which allowed an automatic minor updating system with releases. Later 'how to disable automatic updates' was added as a feature.

A new responsive 3.8 admin interface was introduced in December 2013; this was compatible with any device and screen size.

2014- The launch of 3.9 improved the user interface, visual outlook, and ease of working on the platform with drag and drop image options. The same year saw enhancements with 4.0 and 4.1.

2015- WordPress 4.2-4.4 was launched; these releases improved the layout, theme, emoji support, and REST API of the content management system.

Automattic also acquired WooCommerce, the e-commerce plugin of WordPress, this year.

2016- 2017- Improved versions were launched for text, audio, images, browser storage, content recovery, etc. It introduced the block editor.

2018- 5.0 put the spotlight on Block Editor as web developers and companies who hire web developers massively adapted to this version.

2019- Marked the implementation of site health and added protection to log in error-free with security.

2020- 2021- WordPress continued to evolve at its own pace bringing versions 5.1- 5.8. They introduced new templates, the experience of complete site editing, block patterns, and lazy loading to boost website performance.

2022- Released this January, WordPress Version 5.9 is the latest update taking this software to the next level.

WordPress Version 5.9

Released in January 2022, this version is here to increase WordPress's overall share on the internet.

What’s New in Version 5.9 WordPress?

Initially scheduled for launch in December 2021, the 5.9 Version was finally released on 25th January 2022.

It is a power-packed, re-equipped, and improved form of the famous software. The enhanced features are-

Full Site Editing

Performance Enhancement

UI Enhancement

Added Features for Developers

A tip for hiring a web developer for your new business is to make sure he is aware of the latest changes of WordPress 5.9.

Full Site Editing

With introducing a new customized theme Twenty Twenty-Two, editing has become even more enjoyable. It gives a variety of patterns and templates to edit and experiment with block-wise.

A significant shift is that the site editor is now shifted to the Appearance menu.

A few blocks that have been added are- Header, Footer, Navigation, Post Author, Next Post, and many more. The Full Site Editing also gives the option of editing style. It includes typography, layout, and color. Web developers can also create complex designs easily with the increased number of build-in block patterns.

The editing has been updated to such a minute level that it is now possible to control and choose height line, letter space, and font weight in headings.

Performance Enhancement

The 5.9 WordPress Version enhances performance and speed. It has reduced the loading time and improved the speed. Now only blocks required to view content would be loaded. Another improved feature is the Lazy Loading Modification; this has speeded the Largest Contentful Paint decreasing the loading time.

UI Enhancement

Now rearranging blocks is a relatively easy task. The new drag and drop capability in the list view option allows easy position changing for an enhanced UI.

A new feature called focus mode ensures editing with detail in the header or footer and width adjustments to fit the screen size.

The duotone filter for images, changes any image to a dual-tone effect without affecting the original image. This adds to the user experience and delight. Along with this, the gallery block now recognizes each image individually, allowing adding of links and custom borders to each photo, unlike the earlier versions of WordPress.

Added Features for Developers

Lock Attribute- It enables the prevention of moving or deleting individual blocks. Only editing is possible with this feature.

Read Data- Two new functions have been added to read data in settings and style.

Capability Query- This supports three new query arguments.

Inner Block Areas- The new react hook allows more developer control over the inner block areas. This has shifted the limited authority to a broader control section.

Best Features of WordPress 5.9

The best features any web developer must explore in WordPress 5.9 are-

Navigation Menus

Greater Compatibility with PHP 8.0 and 8.1

Twenty Twenty- Two default theme

Pattern Creations

Easy Edit and Focus

More Design Elements

Option to change the language during login

Word Press Developer and Where to Find Them?

Does the new, improved WordPress 5.9 version tickle you to find where to hire a WordPress developer?

If Yes! Then this section is for you!

There is a high demand for hiring dedicated WordPress developers from India. A web developer adept in this software would be able to design, develop and maintain the WordPress website. Hiring a web developer who is well aware of the latest WordPress 5.9 version would be an excellent choice for your business.

Conclusion

The introduction of new features with the revolutionary WordPress version 5.9 allow more control, better UI and UX, and more excellent compatibility.

Enjoy more design options, easy navigation, and full site editing this 2022 with WordPress.