The WordPress project is slowly but surely inching toward responsive block settings. Version 6.9 introduced the Block Visibility feature, allowing you to temporarily disable a block without deleting it from a post. WordPress 7.0 took it a step further by adding options to hide a block based on device.

Perhaps it’s a niche feature. But it’s also quite handy for targeting mobile or desktop users with specific blocks. And it’s also a gateway to more responsive controls landing in WordPress 7.1.

Today’s tip will show you how easy it is to show or hide a block based on a user’s device. Here we go!

Sample Project: Simplify a Hero Area for Mobile Users

Here’s a common scenario: Your website has a large hero area, complete with a high-resolution image, text, and a call to action (CTA). It looks great on a desktop device but is clunky on a phone. The image is too big, and there’s too much text for users to digest. What to do?

The responsive Block Visibility controls will make this a piece of cake. We’ll create two hero areas – one for desktop and another optimized for mobile. The result will be a better user experience for everyone.

Step 1: Create Desktop and Mobile Hero Areas

The first step is to create the two hero areas for our page. We’ll grab one from the WordPress Block Pattern library and see what we can do with it.

Our desktop hero area is beautiful on the big screen! It should also work well on tablets, such as an iPad. However, it may be overwhelming for mobile users.

Let’s simplify. We duplicated the desktop hero and made a few changes:

• We replaced the image with a cropped version that is optimized for smaller screens.
• We centered the text and CTA.
• We replaced the three columns of text with one, shorter passage.
• Finally, we tightened up the spacing to reduce scrolling.

The mobile hero offers the same immersive look without the extra bulk.

Step 2: Assign Hero Areas to Their Respective Devices

As of now, our page has two hero areas, each contained within a Group block. The next step is to set one of them to display on desktop/tablet devices, and the other on mobile. We’ll use the Block Visibility feature to make it happen.

Desktop/Tablet Devices:

• Click on the Desktop Hero block we created.
• Click on the Options menu (⋮) and select Hide Block.
• Choose the Hide on Mobile option.
• Click the Apply button and save the page.

Mobile Devices:

• Click on the Mobile Hero block we created.
• Click on the Options menu (⋮) and select Hide Block.
• We’ll choose two options this time: Hide on Desktop, Hide on Tablet
• Click the Apply button and save the page.

You may notice that the mobile hero no longer displays on the Block Editor canvas. That’s the desired result, as it won’t be in the way when working in Desktop preview mode.

Switch to Mobile preview mode, and you’ll see the opposite effect. The desktop hero is hidden, allowing the mobile version to take over. You can edit these blocks when in the appropriate preview mode.

Note that you can also view and edit these blocks using the Document Overview (List View) feature (Shift+Alt+O). Select the block, click on the Options menu (⋮), and select Show from the menu. You can hide it again once you’re finished editing.

Oh, and be sure to test on different devices! It’s not enough to shrink your desktop’s browser window. You can use your browser’s dev tools to emulate a mobile device if you don’t have one handy.

Use Different WordPress Blocks on Different Devices

It’s often the little extras that make the biggest difference. Targeting different devices via the Block Visibility feature is a prime example. Its release didn’t draw much fanfare. However, it makes WordPress more flexible for designers.

Before WordPress 7.0, we’d have to work around this limitation. That could mean installing a specialized plugin or writing custom CSS rules in a theme. Now, we’re only a few clicks away from choosing which blocks display on a given device.

The feature saves us time, improves the user experience, and won’t hog server resources. Most of all, it’s a sign of things to come for WordPress.

here. He recently started a writing service for WordPress products: WP Product Writeup. He also has an opinion on just about every subject. You can follow his rants on Bluesky @karks.com.

Read more articles by Eric Karkovack

The post How to Hide WordPress Blocks Based on Device appeared first on The NOKIA Blog.

There is one valuable thing that WordPress blocks left behind, however: code commenting. They’re common when building custom PHP templates and writing CSS. We use them to provide context for what a code snippet does or why it was implemented.

There are times when that extra context is useful in the Block Editor. For example, you might want to share information about a block with clients or colleagues. Perhaps it’s locked or requires a specific setting to display correctly. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves why we did something.

That’s where the WordPress Notes feature comes in handy. Use it to add notes to specific blocks and even keep a threaded conversation. It’s another way to improve your editorial workflow and provide a quick reference for users.

Here’s a look at how the feature works. We’ll show you how to add and retrieve notes to any block on your site. In addition, we’ll share a few tips and hidden gems worth knowing about.

Sample Project: Let’s Collaborate With Blocks

The WordPress Notes feature is part of the larger Gutenberg Collaboration phase. At the very least, it’s a way to add reminders or have an asynchronous discussion with other site users. That second part is what we’ll focus on here.

We’ll simulate a discussion of colleagues regarding a Group block. We promise it will be quick and easy!

Step 1: Choose a Block

The first step is to open a page or post in the Block Editor and select a block. We’ll choose a Group block at the top of the page. We want to discuss its styling with a colleague.

Step 2: Add a Note

Now that we know which block we want to discuss, it’s time to add a note.

1. Click on the Options menu (⋮) and select Add note.
2. A note dialog appears on the right side of the screen. We can add our note in this space.
3. Click the Add note button to save the note.

For reference, we asked if our Group block should have a background color to stand out from the rest of the content.

Next, we’ll wait for our colleague to reply to our note. When they click the block in question, they’ll see a user avatar that indicates a note is available.

Step 3: Our Colleague Replies

Here’s a handy feature: WordPress will send you an email when someone replies to your note (it’s based on the existing comment system). As such, we don’t have to keep checking our page for the latest news.

Our colleague replied to our note and acted on our design suggestion. When we visit the page, we notice that their avatar has also been added to the block’s note notification.

Step 4: Reply and Resolve

We love what our colleague did to dress up the Group block on the page. The last steps are to reply and mark the note as resolved.

To resolve the note, we’ll click the checkmark on the upper right of the dialog. Keep in mind that the note will stay in place unless we manually delete it from the block.

An Easy Way To Collaborate in WordPress

The WordPress Notes feature is a great way to relay information to others or remind yourself of something important. And it will continue to be enhanced as more collaborative features are added to the content management system (CMS).

Even better, you don’t need a plugin to get started – it’s already built into WordPress. That being the case, there are ways to customize the experience. We recommend checking out this guide to tapping into that potential.

Whether you’re part of a team or working solo, give WordPress Notes a try. You may wonder how you lived without it!

here. He recently started a writing service for WordPress products: WP Product Writeup. He also has an opinion on just about every subject. You can follow his rants on Bluesky @karks.com.

Read more articles by Eric Karkovack

The post Quick Tip: How To Use WordPress Block Notes appeared first on The NOKIA Blog.

It’s also never been easier to publish an online course. What’s more, WordPress serves as a great foundation for online education. Its content and media management capabilities are a natural fit. Plus, the ability to add automation and connect to third-party services opens a world of possibilities.

Thus, it’s no surprise that learning management system (LMS) plugins have become a popular category. They enable features such as student registration, online transactions, quizzes, automated grading, and awarding certificates. They have everything you need to build, publish, and manage a course in short order.

With that in mind, let’s review a selection of top LMS plugins for WordPress. Each of them has something unique to offer, and you’re sure to find one that fits your needs. Let’s get started!

LifterLMS is a free learning management plugin for WordPress that includes all the basics. Their course builder makes it easy to create lessons, assignments, and quizzes within a custom dashboard (a common theme among the plugins listed here).

The plugin also features a variety of blocks for displaying course grids, outlines, student progress, a login form, and more. A collection of premium add-ons enables e-commerce functionality, social learning, and group management. This means the plugin will grow with you.

The free version of Tutor LMS lets you build and sell online courses with ease. Connect with students via built-in Q&A sections and lesson commenting. It also features a pleasant, easy-to-read design that allows students to focus on learning.

The pro version unlocks additional payment gateways (PayPal is the lone gateway in the free version), an AI Studio feature for generating course materials, certificates, and membership functionality.

Among Sensei’s standout features is Learning Mode, a distraction-free layout that focuses on your course content. You’ll also find a certificate creation tool, auto-graded quizzes, and analytical reports.

Upgrade to Sensei Pro for access to AI-generated quizzes, WooCommerce integration, conditional content, and a suite of custom blocks. The free Course theme will help you get your project off to a quick start.

A commercial-only plugin, LearnDash is a staple among WordPress LMS options. The plugin offers a complete turnkey solution for building and selling courses. Features include a drag-and-drop course builder, PayPal/Stripe integration, and drip-feed content.

It also integrates with third-party tools, such as WooCommerce, The Events Calendar, Gravity Forms, Slack, and Elementor. Available add-ons bring notetaking, group management, and advanced analytical capabilities. LearnDash helps you create professional-looking courses that scale.

LearnPress is a feature-packed WordPress LMS plugin for building and monetizing online courses. The plugin works with the WordPress Block Editor and Elementor out of the box. Meanwhile, you can add features such as course prerequisites, BuddyPress integration, certificates, a front-end editor, and more via free and paid add-ons.

You can even distribute your courses via the LearnPress mobile app – allowing your students to learn on the go. You’ll also find support for selling access to in-person courses.

Whether you’re new to building online courses or a pro, MasterStudy has plenty of features and flexibility. The plugin’s course builder includes options to enable course previews and reviews. You can also assign expiration dates and difficulty levels to each course.

In addition, there’s support for multiple quiz types and a quiz timer. Move up to the pro version and gain access to AI content generation, recurring subscriptions, certificates, live streaming support, and more.

Billed as a “social WordPress LMS,”” WPLMS includes an intriguing set of features. For one, the plugin offers a multi-platform framework that converts your courses to a progressive web app.

Students can optionally download a course and use it anywhere – even without an internet connection. That’s in addition to the standard features you’d expect in an LMS. This commercial option is robust to say the least.

Masteriyo is an extensible LMS solution, with over 40 available add-ons and 20+ third-party integrations. That provides plenty of customization options for course builders. The plugin can also power community-based educational platforms, where instructors sign up to teach courses.

Inside, you’ll find a certificate builder, content dripping, a student gradebook, and support for social logins. There are plenty of features to dig into.

WordPress LMS Plugins at a Glance

Turn Your WordPress Site Into a Learning Hub

The LMS plugins above offer nearly unlimited possibilities for online educators. Each takes a different approach to course building and management. With that, it’s a matter of picking the tool that fits your workflow.

There is no shortage of features or extras, either. The free plugins on our list include all the basics and are great for beginners. However, those with more complex project requirements will want to check out the premium versions – they include pro-level functionality and user experience.

One thing we haven’t mentioned yet is web hosting. LMS plugins aren’t necessarily resource hogs. But the more users you have, the more server resources you’ll need. Be sure to purchase a web hosting plan with enough storage, RAM, and CPU cycles to handle your anticipated traffic. Hint: It never hurts to leave some room for growth.

Are you looking for more tips for building a successful online course using WordPress? We have a handy guide to help.

Now that you have plenty of great options, it’s time to pick a plugin and get to work!

here. He recently started a writing service for WordPress products: WP Product Writeup. He also has an opinion on just about every subject. You can follow his rants on Bluesky @karks.com.

Read more articles by Eric Karkovack

The post 8 Best LMS Plugins for WordPress in 2026 appeared first on The NOKIA Blog.

That’s all good news. However, it’s also tricky for web developers hoping to prevent their clients from accidentally breaking a layout. It’s all too easy to delete a component or drag one to a different spot. Oh, the horror!

Keeping your designs looking good and safe is essential. Fortunately, WordPress offers several built-in methods for doing just that. They could save you from a headache or two.

Let’s learn how to protect your WordPress block layouts the easy way!

Step 1: Create WordPress Block Patterns

You spent all that time creating a custom block layout. Preserve your work by saving it as a block pattern. It only takes a few seconds and allows you to reuse custom layouts at any time.

This means you can easily restore a layout if something goes wrong. That’s simpler than trying to piece things back together or clean up a royal mess.

Even better, you can export block patterns and save them locally. This keeps your original layout intact, no matter what happens on the live site. You can then re-import the pattern should the worst happen. The other benefit is that the pattern can be imported to other sites or included in a custom plugin.

To create a block pattern, click on a block’s Options menu (⋮) and select Create pattern. Give the pattern a name and optionally assign it a category.

Once your pattern is saved, you can access it in the Appearance > Design menu within WordPress.

Helpful Resources:

Step 2: Lock Your Blocks

Block layouts can be easily edited and rearranged by default. For example, you might use the Block Editor’s List View to drag items to different areas of your page. It’s great for flexibility, but it can also result in some unintended consequences.

The Lock feature allows you to prevent blocks from being modified or removed from your layout. Users can still change the contents of a block. However, they must use the same type of content. For instance, you can only replace an image with another image, and so on.

If you’re locking a Group block, you can also choose to lock all blocks within the group. This step protects the entire custom layout. It’s another reason why the Group block is great for housing layouts.

To lock a block, click on its Options menu (⋮) and select Lock.

Note that there’s also an option to unlock a block if you need to make further edits. If you want more control over who has permission to unlock a block, there’s a code snippet that can help.

Helpful Resources:

Keep Your Block Layouts Safe and Beautiful

In days past, web developers had various tricks to client-proof custom layouts in WordPress. We hardcoded them into PHP-based theme templates and implemented custom fields to allow content changes. This approach doesn’t work as well in the world of blocks, though.

No, using the WordPress Block Editor to build layouts is about more than just aesthetics. You also need a plan to ensure that what you create is protected against breakage – block patterns and locking offer quick, built-in solutions for doing so.

Combined, these features add some resiliency to your custom layouts. And, even if something goes wrong, you can still restore the original version. That provides some peace of mind for you and your clients.

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here. He recently started a writing service for WordPress products: WP Product Writeup. He also has an opinion on just about every subject. You can follow his rants on Bluesky @karks.com.

Read more articles by Eric Karkovack

The post How to Protect WordPress Block Layouts From Accidental Changes appeared first on The NOKIA Blog.

This handy tool also works great with WooCommerce. The e-commerce plugin includes several blocks you can use with these new-fangled themes. It’s easier than ever to build an attractive and functional online store.

As a result, we’re seeing more block themes focusing on WooCommerce. They aim to give you a head start on your site while taking advantage of powerful modular features. It’s a new spin on the traditional e-commerce theme.

Looking for the perfect theme to get your shop online? We’ve got you covered with this collection of top block themes for WooCommerce.

Free to Download | Demo | WordPress Hosting

Here’s a minimal store theme for WooCommerce that puts your products in the spotlight. It features a black-and-white color scheme and bold typography. The default layout includes product filtering to improve the customer experience. Since it’s a block theme, you can edit every aspect to match your needs. It’s also 100% free.

Free to Download | Demo | WordPress Hosting

This WooCommerce block theme is designed to sell children’s products in style. It’s a colorful and friendly look that will please kids (and their parents). The theme comes packed with over a dozen block patterns and 19 templates. The pro version offers even more flexibility, with extra patterns and templates to customize your shop.

Free to Download | Demo | WordPress Hosting

Add a touch of color to your online store with Art and Craft. The theme comes with multiple style variations with light and dark color palettes. Several custom block patterns are there to help you show off your products. Overall, the look is well thought out and would fit just about any product type.

Demo | WordPress Hosting

Get ready for a high-fashion look with Glamorama, a commercial block theme for WooCommerce. Inside, you’ll find over 60 custom block patterns, an array of style variations, and bold styles. A one-click demo content feature will help your project get off to a quick start. The theme is also optimized for performance and SEO.

Free to Download | Demo | WordPress Hosting

Bright and clean, General Food Store adds flavor to your WooCommerce store. The theme includes three style variations, which can be tweaked to your heart’s content. The home page features a Bento layout style and product listings are attractively simple. A category menu in the header makes it easy to find what you’re looking for.

Free to Download | Demo | WordPress Hosting

This free WordPress theme is aimed at wellness service providers like yoga instructors and personal trainers. There are sections for staff profiles, services, testimonials, and more. Patterns for the site header and footer are easy to customize. A handsome grid layout for your blog is also included.

Free to Download | Demo | WordPress Hosting

Eternal is a multipurpose WooCommerce block theme. It’s among the most flexible in our collection, with seven style variations and plenty of template options. There are multiple page layouts to give you just the right look. Overall, it’s a simple choice that puts the focus on your products.

Demo | WordPress Hosting

If you’re looking for a theme that puts products first, Gravia should be on your list. This commercial theme includes multiple home page layouts – including a few that eschew the all-too-common slider or hero image. The result is that customers will see your featured products immediately.

Free to Download | Demo | WordPress Hosting

This theme includes all the essentials for building a WooCommerce store. The layout is attractive and easy to navigate. There are block patterns for the header, footer, hero area, products, and sidebar. A pro version is available and offers a few more bells and whistles.

Free to Download | Demo | WordPress Hosting

Here’s a stylish choice for selling clothing, jewelry, or accessories with WooCommerce. The theme has six style variations – including a beautiful dark mode. It also has a unique product listing layout that is decidedly different than the WooCommerce default. It’s perfect for those looking to dress up their website.

Free to Download | Demo | WordPress Hosting

There is plenty to like about VW Furniture Shop’s look and layout. It’s clean, easy to read, and adds scroll animations to the mix. You’ll also find a half-dozen style variations and plenty of block patterns you can customize. The theme is designed for furniture and interior accessories but is flexible enough to work with other product types.

Demo | WordPress Hosting

As the name indicates, Woo Booster is designed specifically for WooCommerce. It’s also meant to be flexible and work with multiple product types. There are variations for light and dark modes. In addition, there are several child themes available that offer a narrower focus. It’s a good starting point for building your online store.

A Different Way to Do WooCommerce

Block themes are perfect for those who want to build a WooCommerce store without the fuss of code. Plus, you don’t need in-depth knowledge to tweak colors and typography – the Site Editor allows you to do it with a few clicks.

It’s even a boon for seasoned web developers. There’s no more firing up your code editor to make a minor template change. These themes will streamline your workflow while still offering plenty of features.

The included custom block patterns are also an advantage. They’ve done some of the hard work for you. However, you can also create patterns yourself or grab them from the Pattern Directory.

All told, the themes above offer flexibility and convenience. What’s not to like?

You might like to take a look at our choice of the best WooCommerce hosting options.

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here. He recently started a writing service for WordPress products: WP Product Writeup. He also has an opinion on just about every subject. You can follow his rants on Bluesky @karks.com.

Read more articles by Eric Karkovack

The post 10+ Best WordPress Block Themes for WooCommerce in 2025 appeared first on The NOKIA Blog.

That only scratches the surface, however. Custom blocks let you integrate with third-party services, add dynamic content, or create complex layouts. The right blocks help you achieve more without code.

Several custom block suites exist to supercharge your projects. They include a variety of blocks for niche and common tasks. Some offer features similar to a page builder, but stay within the Gutenberg interface. Others aim to fill the gaps left by the default blocks with features like mobile styling.

So, which ones are worth your time? We’ve assembled a collection of the best WordPress block suites on the market. There’s something here for everyone.

Some block suites want to reinvent the wheel, and the result is bloatware. GenerateBlocks avoids this fate by focusing on features that WordPress lacks. The free version includes nine blocks for building layouts, post queries, and decorative elements.

Step up to the pro version for access to a pattern library, responsive block settings, CSS effects, and global styling. This suite is proof that less is more.

Kadence Blocks is a suite that caters to designers looking for advanced control and functionality. The Section and Row Layout blocks are there to make page layouts a breeze. Other blocks, such as Advanced Form, Advanced Gallery, Posts, and Table of Contents, add utility.

Pro users will find scroll animations, dynamic content (custom fields), and custom fonts. It’s a do-it-all option for WordPress users.

If you’re looking for a page builder experience, put Stackable on your list. The plugin includes 42 blocks that run the gamut of design, layout, and utility. You can do more than build custom layouts, though. There are blocks for adding maps, media popups, cards, countdowns, and much more.

Upgrade to premium, and you’ll find features for dynamic content, integrations with popular plugins (ACF, WooCommerce), motion effects, and even more blocks. Stackable covers just about every conceivable niche.

You can use PublishPress Blocks to gain more control of the Block Editor. Its block permissions feature lets you choose who can use specific blocks. The block visibility controls display or hide blocks based on several criteria (user role, date/time, device, etc.).

And we can’t forget about the 20+ included blocks. Use them to build sliders, fancy lists, post grids, tables, tabbed layouts, and more. Pro features include additional blocks and other goodies.

CoBlocks is a completely free suite of handy blocks for building layouts and advanced functionality. Displaying media is a focus, with blocks for creating various gallery formats. In addition, you’ll find blocks catering to social media, logos, maps, pricing tables, and service listings.

Designers will want to check out the custom shape divider options. Finally, the resizable row/columns block helps you take control of custom layouts.

Spectra includes custom blocks for a wide array of use cases. Niche offerings help you add timelines, counters, FAQs, Lottie animations, and star ratings to your site. There are also blocks for displaying custom post layouts, sliders, and tabs.

The pro version adds animation, responsive controls, dynamic content, and a popup builder. There are plenty of possibilities to dig into.

Otter Blocks includes 20+ custom blocks that cover a range of uses. You’ll find options for displaying icons, maps, progress bars, and other UI components. An AI block helps you generate content and forms via a prompt. The plugin also adds custom CSS capabilities to all Gutenberg blocks, allowing you to create styles on a one-off basis.

The included display conditions let you target specific users and devices or customize a block’s display status by other criteria. Pro users will find a live search block, among other extras.

Interactivity makes Ultimate Blocks a compelling option for designers. Its content filter block lets users view content based on custom criteria. The social share block makes it easy for visitors to share your content with others.

On the utility side, both the review and how-to blocks feature Schema markup to help with SEO. The pro version adds several new blocks and the ability to save custom styles.

Build Better With Custom Blocks

The default WordPress blocks can only get you so far. Thankfully, the large ecosystem of custom blocks allows us to level up. We can use them to create pixel-perfect layouts and add high-end features – all with a few clicks.

You’ll find some similarities in the block suite plugins above. Each has its take on custom layout tooling. There are also plenty of accordions, tabs, and galleries to go around.

So, how do you choose the right one? First, consider your project goals. Do you need custom blocks to build layouts, or are you more focused on those extra features? If you’re looking for advanced components, that may be the deciding factor.

It’s also worth thinking about how many sites you’ll use the plugin on. The free version may be all you need, or the features you want are locked behind a pro subscription. Consider the potential costs before deciding.

Like page builders, block plugins require a commitment. You’ll need the plugin to keep using its custom blocks. So, choose a suite that you’re likely to be happy with in the future.

All things considered, a block suite is the quickest way to improve your no-code experience. They’ll save you precious time by letting you do more within WordPress. Find the right one for your needs and get building!

here. He recently started a writing service for WordPress products: WP Product Writeup. He also has an opinion on just about every subject. You can follow his rants on Bluesky @karks.com.

Read more articles by Eric Karkovack

The post 8 Best Block Suites You Can Add to WordPress appeared first on The NOKIA Blog.