What’s New In WordPress 5.4: Features & Enhancements

WordPress is one of the most prominent Content Management Systems in present times and was powering almost 35% of the entire internet by the end of 2020.

As per the latest reports, as of November 2019, there have been more than 400 updates and new releases, highlighting the importance given to new features and security patches.

Related Read: How to Secure your WordPress Websites? [10+WordPress Security Tips]

Secondly, as a matter of fact, more than 60% of all CMS-built sites are using WordPress. What sets apart WordPress from a multitude of CMS platforms available presently is the fact that it is constantly improving.

The latest release coming from WordPress is WordPress 5.4, which has been designed to bring in some impressive new features as well as address previous issues.

What’s New in WordPress 5.4?

Following are some of the most important features that have been introduced in WordPress 5.4 and are certainly worth mentioning: – 

1. Default full screen editor:

• This new version of WordPress 5.4, by default, shows the block editor in the full-screen mode. This will be one of the most prominent changes in the new version, especially if you are accessing the WordPress from a new device or incognito mode.
• It is possible to exit the full screen settings by clicking on the editor settings and then unchecking the option for ‘Fullscreen mode.’

2. Improved Block editor:

The content editor is improved by a huge margin in the latest WordPress 5.4, which includes new enhancement, blocks, and exciting features. 

3. New blocks:

There are two primary blocks in the new version, i.e.: – 

a) Social icons block:

The social media icons can be added to the posts and pages through the social icons block, post which the user can click on the add button to choose the social network icon that must be added. The social network icon can then be used to provide the link directing to the user’s profile. The social icon block only aids in linking social media links to the user’s profile and does not enable direct social sharing buttons. This activity requires a social media plug-in with sharing features.

b) Buttons block:

The new block will replace the existing button block whilst aiding users in adding multiple buttons that can be used side by side. The background and colour gradient for each button can be chosen from 2 different style options.

4. Diverse color options:

• WordPress 5.4 has new colour options for the multiple colour blocks that enable in creating an attractive layout for the different posts and pages.

• A fresh change from the previous feature, which only allowed color change to take place in an entire paragraph, the new version allows users to change the colour of any text in a paragraph.
• The colours can also be used to demarcate between columns and regular paragraphs.
• The WordPress 5.4 Theme Integration allows users to enjoy the theme of their choice whilst providing them with all kinds of features to choose from.

5. Block selection tool:

This feature allows blocks to be selected easily, especially if you have nested blocks inside a group of blocks.

6. Improved Mobile toolbar:

The old problem of the toolbar moving around during editing a blog on the phone can now be forgotten since the latest version has fixed this toolbar on the top, thus providing ease whilst accessing.

>>More: 10 Tips to Optimize Your WordPress Website for Mobile Users

7. Customize your image:

The user can now make use of the featured image section, wherein an image can simply be dragged and dropped here as contrary to the previous system wherein one had to manually upload and set the featured image.

The image size problem has also been tackled herein; the size of the image can now be directly selected in the gallery block settings.

8. Embed TikTok in your posts:

WordPress 5.4 allows users to support their TikTok videos and embed it along with their posts. This can be done the same way one embeds YouTube videos in their posts.

How to Update to WordPress 5.4 with the help of WordPress Developer?

The new version of WordPress has enabled users to apply shortcodes functions, which aids the users in using shortcodes in a PHP file. 

WordPress development services aids in changing with the introduction of short codes that work similarly to do short codes, but also allow WordPress CMS Developers to build a semantically correct, readable code.

The do short code cannot be considered any less since it is a major component of the WordPress plugins integration, used in third-party plug-ins. 

One must always focus on taking a backup before updating any website.

Here are some important ways of updating your WordPress efficiently:

• Whenever you spot a new version of WordPress is available or visible, it is advisable to click in it since you will be directed to the next page, which will give you the option to either update the site now or download the package later manually.
  • The manual process is long and tiring; thus, most users prefer updating WordPress at the earliest. Refresh your page once to get the new version going.
• Updating all your plug-ins in one go can be done through clicking on the select all option, followed by ‘update Plug-ins.’ You can also choose the plug-ins to be updated separately. Once the plug-ins are updates, WordPress will update you about the latest developments.
• If you have many themes active and going, it can be dangerous since the themes can be used to hack your website and could be an extremely tough security call. Use the updates tab to bulk update by choosing the ‘Select all’ option. The ‘themes’ tab can be found under the ‘appearance’ option.

Development Conclusion

• Updating WordPress can be accomplished through a single click, but it is important to understand the problems and needs of the site you are running. Receiving the right update is extremely important since it would save you from taking the task of fixing a broken site.
• Make a list of all the important URLs and plug-ins.
• Create a test scenario since you need to understand how visitors feel when they visit your site.
• Check the home page and the layout, whether it is intact or, some new developments can be seen around.
• Take a note of the other pages which are second on the priority list too, and for further information, visit the wordpress.org support forum.

Related Read: Top #7 WordPress Web Development Trends