Exploring the new features of WordPress 6.6

The WordPress community eagerly anticipated the latest release of WordPress 6.6, which came out in July 2024. This update offers features designed to give you greater control over your website’s look and feel, improve your workflow, and provide reassurance with the ability to auto-update plugins. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the new features in the latest WordPress update and clarify how these changes might affect both Gutenberg and Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) users.

Enhanced visual editing experience

One of the standout features in WordPress 6.6 is the improved site editor. The editor now includes a visual overview of your pages, enabling you to see a preview before you begin editing. This integration with the Site Editor not only provides real-time editing capabilities but also ensures that your changes are instantly visible, creating a more intuitive and efficient workflow. These enhancements are particularly relevant to users of the Gutenberg block editor, where block patterns and reusable blocks allow for consistent design elements across multiple pages, simplifying content management and maintaining design consistency.

Greater customisation with block themes

Customisation options have been significantly enhanced with new tools for colour palettes and font sets within a single theme. These improvements make it easier to adjust your website’s design to match your vision without compromising on consistency. WordPress 6.6 also introduces Global Styles Variations, which allow you to quickly switch between different pre-configured design options without adjusting individual settings—perfect for users who want to refresh their site’s appearance effortlessly. This feature is highly relevant to those using Gutenberg, as it builds on the block-based approach. However, ACF users can still benefit from these updates, particularly if their site integrates some Gutenberg blocks.

Hassle-free plugin updates

Keeping your plugins up to date is crucial for security and performance. WordPress 6.6 makes this easier by allowing you to set your plugins, themes, and even core files to auto-update, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities. This is especially beneficial for small companies with limited time, knowledge or not on a WordPress support plan, ensuring your site remains secure and functional whilst you focus on your business.

Significant performance boosts

Performance is a key focus in this release, with improvements designed to enhance speed and responsiveness across your website. WordPress 6.6 includes a 40% reduction in template loading time within the editor, making your workflow faster and more efficient. Additionally, the elimination of unnecessary `WP_Theme_JSON` calls streamlines site operations, and the removal of lazy loading for post embeds improves the speed and responsiveness of your pages.

Conclusion

WordPress 6.6 offers new levels of customisation, improved workflows, and significant performance enhancements. While many of these features are particularly beneficial for those using the Gutenberg editor, ACF users will also experience broader benefits, particularly in terms of site performance and security. At JMJ Digital, we’re here to help you make the most of these new features. Whether you’re starting from scratch or need expert care for your existing site, our team is ready to provide the support you need.

Reach out to us on 01603 555590 or email hello@jmjdigital.uk.