How to Use Classic Editor in WordPress (Agency Guide)

When WordPress introduced the Gutenberg block editor, it marked a shift in how websites were built. But not everyone jumped on board — especially agencies managing multiple client sites with tight deadlines and familiar workflows. For many, the WordPress Classic Editor still offers a simpler, faster, and more controlled way to handle content.

In this agency-focused guide, we’ll walk you through how to use Classic Editor in WordPress, why it’s still relevant in 2025, and how you can install and configure the WordPress Classic Editor plugin for your clients. 

Whether you’re building lean sites, supporting legacy themes, or simply prefer a more intuitive interface, learning how to use the classic WordPress editor can save your team time and sanity.

Let’s dive into the world of the Classic Editor WordPress users continue to swear by.

What Is Classic Editor in WordPress?

If you’re wondering what is Classic Editor in WordPress, you’re not alone. Despite the modern shift toward the Gutenberg block editor, many agencies still rely on the original interface—known as the classic WordPress editor—for its speed, simplicity, and reliability.

The WordPress Classic Editor was the default content editor in WordPress for over a decade. It resembles a basic word processor, with a toolbar for formatting text, inserting media, and managing layout using HTML or TinyMCE. 

Unlike the block editor, which breaks content into modular blocks, the Classic Editor WordPress interface is linear and intuitive, especially for users coming from a traditional CMS background.

Agencies that manage multiple client websites often favor the Classic Editor WordPress setup because it:

• Reduces training time for clients unfamiliar with block-based editing
  
• Works seamlessly with older themes and plugins
  
• Offers a faster way to publish simple blog posts, landing pages, or service pages
  

While Gutenberg is ideal for visual design and layout control, it can introduce complexity for clients who just want to write and publish content. That’s why knowing what is Classic Editor in WordPress—and how to use classic WordPress editor properly—is still essential in 2025, especially if your agency prioritizes ease of use and performance over advanced page-building features.

If you’re building fast, no-code editorial sites, check out this guide on how to create and sell WordPress themes without coding.

Why Agencies Still Use Classic Editor in WordPress

Despite the evolution of WordPress editing capabilities, many agencies continue to use Classic Editor WordPress installations for speed, simplicity, and client satisfaction. The classic WordPress editor may not offer drag-and-drop layouts or reusable blocks, but what it lacks in visuals, it makes up for in control and clarity.

Here are the key reasons why agencies still stick with the Classic Editor WordPress experience:

1. Familiarity for Clients

Not every client wants to learn a new editor. Many business owners and marketers grew up using the WordPress Classic Editor, and retraining them to use blocks could lead to confusion, support tickets, or errors. Agencies that manage dozens of content contributors often choose to use the classic WordPress editor to avoid steep learning curves.

2. Compatibility With Older Plugins and Themes

Some WordPress themes and plugins were designed before the block editor era. Using the classic WordPress editor ensures compatibility and avoids rendering issues or broken shortcodes. 

In fact, certain plugins only insert content through the old editor interface, which means the WordPress Classic Editor plugin becomes essential in legacy builds.

3. Simpler Workflows for Content Teams

Agencies working with SEO writers, copywriters, and editors often prioritize writing over design. For these teams, the block interface adds unnecessary friction. When you use Classic Editor WordPress environments, your writers focus on content—not alignment, margins, or layout tools.

4. Faster Publishing for Text-Based Sites

If your agency handles blogs, news portals, or knowledge bases, you know the goal is speed. The classic WordPress editor allows for quick drafting, formatting, and publishing without clicking through multiple block settings. It’s all inline, just like a document editor.

5. Better for Developers Working in Code

Developers who prefer working directly with HTML or shortcodes often find the Classic Editor WordPress interface less intrusive. There are fewer visual overrides and cleaner outputs, which means fewer surprises on the front end—especially when you’re debugging or building custom templates.

6. Maintains Stability for Long-Term Clients

Agencies often manage client websites for years. Switching editors mid-way through a project can cause inconsistencies. With the WordPress Classic Editor plugin, you maintain a consistent experience throughout the site’s lifecycle.

How to Install the WordPress Classic Editor Plugin

Installing the WordPress Classic Editor plugin is the simplest way to bring back the old editing experience. Whether you want to streamline your agency’s workflows or give clients a cleaner UI, this lightweight plugin lets you use classic WordPress editor features with just a few clicks.

Here’s how to install it on any WordPress site:

1. Use your admin credentials to access the backend of your site.
   
2. Navigate to Plugins → Add New. This is where you can search for official plugins from the WordPress repository.
3. In the search bar, type “Classic Editor.” You’ll see the official WordPress Classic Editor plugin created by the WordPress team.

4. Click ‘Install Now’ and then ‘Activate’. Once installed, activate the plugin. This automatically switches your post and page editors back to the classic WordPress editor interface.
   
5. Head over to Pages or Posts and click “Edit” on any item. You should now see the Classic Editor WordPress interface—just like the pre-Gutenberg days.
   

What Happens to Existing Block-Based Content?

Installing the WordPress Classic Editor plugin does not erase or break any existing Gutenberg content. Pages created using blocks will remain fully functional. WordPress remembers which editor was used last for each page and opens it accordingly.

This flexibility means your agency can use a hybrid model—use Classic Editor WordPress for blogs and text-heavy content, and the block editor for landing pages or visual layouts.

How to Configure the Classic WordPress Editor for Team Use

Once you’ve activated the WordPress Classic Editor plugin, the next step is to configure it for your agency’s workflow. Whether you manage content writers, developers, or clients, proper configuration ensures consistency across the team while still offering flexibility when needed.

Here’s how to set it up smartly:

Step 1: Access Editor Settings

From your WordPress dashboard, go to:
Settings → Writing

This section allows you to define the default editor for all users and choose whether to allow switching between the Classic Editor WordPress and the block editor.

Step 2: Choose Your Default Editor

You’ll see a setting labeled:
Default editor for all users

Select Classic Editor to make it the default. This ensures that every time a user opens a new post or page, they will automatically use the classic WordPress editor by default—no toggling required.

Agency Tip:
This is ideal for clients who aren’t tech-savvy. It prevents confusion from switching interfaces unexpectedly.

Step 3: Allow Editor Switching (Optional)

Below that, you’ll see an option:
Allow users to switch editors

• If you enable this, users will see two links—Edit (Classic) and Edit (Block)—under each post or page title.
  
• If you disable it, all users will be locked into the classic WordPress editor, maintaining full consistency.
  

When to Allow Switching:
Use this if your agency handles both traditional blogs and visually rich landing pages. It gives your team the flexibility to choose the right tool for the job.

Step 4: Role-Based Editor Decisions

While WordPress doesn’t allow editor configuration by role out of the box, many agencies use user role plugins (like User Role Editor) to pair specific editing permissions with certain user types.

For example:

• Writers can default to the Classic Editor WordPress
  
• Designers and developers can access block editing for advanced layouts
  

Testing Your Setup

After saving your settings, test the editing experience:

• Log in with different user accounts (admin, editor, author)
  
• Try creating or editing a page to confirm which editor appears
  
• Ensure existing Gutenberg content remains untouched
  

Configuring the WordPress Classic Editor plugin correctly ensures smooth workflows, fewer content mishaps, and happier clients. Up next, let’s dive into how you can switch back to the block editor if needed—without disrupting your content flow.

How to Switch to Block Editor in WordPress

Even if your team prefers to use classic WordPress editor for most content, there are times when the block editor (Gutenberg) makes more sense—especially for creating complex layouts, reusable components, or landing pages.

Fortunately, switching from the Classic Editor WordPress to the block editor is easy, and you don’t have to uninstall the WordPress Classic Editor plugin to do it.

Consider using a WordPress staging site before switching editors on a live install.

Option 1: Use the Built-In Editor Toggle

If you’ve enabled “Allow users to switch editors” in the Writing settings, WordPress will display Edit (Classic) and Edit (Block) links next to every post or page.

To switch to the block editor:

1. Go to Posts → All Posts or Pages → All Pages
   
2. Hover over a page or post title
   
3. Click Edit (Block)
   

The content will now open in the block editor interface.

Pro Tip for Agencies:
Use this setup if your writers prefer the classic WordPress editor, but your designers want the flexibility of full-width blocks or patterns.

Option 2: Change the Default Editor for All Users

If your agency decides to fully adopt the Gutenberg interface for new content:

1. Navigate to Settings → Writing
   
2. Set the Default Editor for all users to the Block Editor
   

3. (Optional) Disable the editor switching option to standardize the experience
   

This ensures that all users will default to the block editor moving forward, while still preserving old content created with the WordPress Classic Editor plugin.

Option 3: Deactivate the Classic Editor Plugin

If you’re ready to phase out the Classic Editor WordPress interface completely:

• Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins
  
• Deactivate the Classic Editor plugin

From now on, WordPress will use the block editor for all content by default. However, any content previously built using the classic WordPress editor will still remain functional and editable—it just might require some formatting adjustments if you re-edit it in blocks.

Best Practices to Use Classic WordPress Editor Effectively

Once you’ve set up the classic WordPress editor, it’s important to help your team and clients make the most of it. While it may look simple, the Classic Editor WordPress interface includes several hidden gems that improve speed, structure, and content quality, especially for agencies managing multiple sites or contributors.

Here are some key tips to use the classic WordPress editor efficiently:

1. Master Keyboard Shortcuts

The Classic Editor WordPress interface supports a wide range of familiar keyboard shortcuts, similar to what you’d find in Google Docs or Microsoft Word.

Some agency-favorite shortcuts include:

• Ctrl + B → Bold
  
• Ctrl + I → Italic
  
• Alt + Shift + 2 → Heading 2
  
• Alt + Shift + U → Unordered List
  
• Alt + Shift + L → Align Left
  

You can view the full list of shortcuts by clicking the “?” icon on the editor toolbar.

2. Structure Content Using Formatting Tools

The classic WordPress editor gives you access to a full formatting toolbar, including heading levels, text alignment, bullet and numbered lists, hyperlinks, code formatting, and blockquotes. 

Encourage your content team to structure blog posts and pages using these tools, even in the absence of blocks. It helps with readability, SEO, and user experience—without needing to build a block-based layout.

3. Use Distraction-Free Writing Mode

For focused content creation, activate distraction-free writing mode by clicking the icon in the top-right corner of the editor (or pressing Shift + Alt + W).

This hides sidebars, menus, and notifications—letting your team or clients use Classic Editor WordPress with fewer distractions.

4. Save and Preview Often

While autosave is available in both editors, it’s always a good practice to manually:

• Click Save Draft frequently
  
• Use Preview to check how your content looks with the theme’s styling
  

The Classic Editor WordPress doesn’t offer a “what you see is what you get” layout like Gutenberg. That makes the preview function even more essential—especially when spacing, image alignment, or embedded media is involved.

5. Insert Media the Smart Way

Use the “Add Media” button to upload images & files, create image galleries, insert PDFs, and link to other attachments. The classic WordPress editor makes it easy to manage media without breaking the visual flow of writing—ideal for editorial teams.

6. Keep Styling Clean (Use CSS When Needed)

While you can bold, italicize, or highlight content, avoid over-styling within the editor. For global consistency across pages and posts, let your theme’s CSS handle most of the design decisions.

This is one of the reasons agencies use Classic Editor WordPress—you get predictable output and cleaner code compared to overly complex block configurations.

With these tips, your team can use classic WordPress editor confidently—producing fast, clean, and optimized content every time.

Pros and Cons of Using Classic Editor WordPress in 2025

The Classic Editor WordPress experience isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s still a highly functional choice for many agencies and clients. That said, it’s not perfect. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide when to use classic WordPress editor and when it might be time to move on.

Pros	Cons
Simple, distraction-free UI	Not ideal for visual layouts
Familiar to long-time users	Lacks block-level flexibility
Fast loading and editing	Limited in full site editing
Compatible with older plugins/themes	Fewer customization options
Works well for text-heavy content	May not reflect front-end styling accurately
Easy for clients to adopt	Less support from modern builders

When to Use Classic Editor WordPress

• Your agency supports legacy sites
  
• You’re building blogs, content hubs, or editorial workflows
  
• Clients prefer minimal UI and easy formatting
  
• You want fast content creation without layout tools
  

When to Consider Gutenberg or Builders

• You’re designing full sites or landing pages
  
• You want full site editing or theme blocks
  
• Your team builds interactive layouts or product showcases
  

Agencies that work with both content-heavy and design-heavy sites often use a hybrid workflow: the classic WordPress editor for copy, and the block editor for design.

Want to try both editors side by side? Spin up a WordPress site instantly. 

Final Thoughts: Should You Still Use Classic Editor in WordPress?

The debate between block-based editing and the classic WordPress editor won’t go away anytime soon—and for good reason. Agencies have diverse clients with different needs. Some prefer the drag-and-drop power of Gutenberg. Others just want a clean editor to publish content fast.

If your agency wants to streamline publishing, avoid plugin conflicts, and provide a friction-free experience to less tech-savvy clients, then the answer is clear: use Classic Editor WordPress where it makes sense.

By mastering both tools, you’ll future-proof your workflow and serve a wider range of clients.

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