How to Add Custom Blocks to WordPress Block Editor

Learning how to add custom blocks to WordPress opens up endless possibilities for your website. Custom blocks allow you to create unique content elements that match your brand, streamline your workflow, and provide functionality that standard WordPress blocks don’t offer.

Whether you want to build a custom call-to-action box, a testimonial slider, or specialized content displays for your Instagram feed, custom blocks give you complete control over your WordPress content experience.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through multiple methods to add custom blocks to WordPress, from beginner-friendly plugin options to advanced development techniques. By the end, you’ll understand which approach works best for your skill level and project needs.

Understanding WordPress Custom Blocks

Before diving into implementation, let’s clarify what custom blocks are and why they’re valuable.

What Are Custom Blocks?

Custom blocks are specialized content elements you create or install to extend the WordPress Block Editor’s capabilities. Unlike default blocks (paragraph, image, heading), custom blocks are designed for specific purposes:

Brand-specific design elements
Complex functionality combinations
Specialized content types
Unique layout patterns
Integration with external services like Instagram

Benefits of Custom Blocks

For Content Creators:

Consistent branding across all content
Faster content creation with pre-built components
No need to remember HTML or shortcodes
Visual editing of complex elements

For Developers:

Reusable code components
Maintainable content structure
Better client experience
Modern React-based development

For Businesses:

Professional, consistent appearance
Reduced training time for team members
Competitive differentiation
Enhanced user experience

Method 1: Installing Pre-Built Block Plugins (Easiest)

The simplest way to add custom blocks to WordPress is installing plugins that provide ready-made blocks.

Step 1: Identify Your Needs

Determine what functionality you need:

Social media embeds (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook)
Advanced layouts (columns, grids, carousels)
Marketing elements (testimonials, pricing tables, CTAs)
Content enhancement (accordions, tabs, counters)

Step 2: Find Quality Block Plugins

Top Block Plugin Recommendations:

Instagram Blocks – Embed Instagram content seamlessly
Ultimate Addons for Gutenberg – 30+ marketing blocks
Kadence Blocks – Advanced design blocks
CoBlocks – Content-focused blocks
Stackable – Premium design blocks
Getwid – 40+ blocks for various needs

Step 3: Install the Plugin

Installation process:

Go to Plugins → Add New
Search for your chosen block plugin (e.g., “Instagram Blocks”)
Click Install Now
Click Activate
Check for any setup wizard or settings page

Step 4: Use Your New Blocks

After activation, new blocks appear in your Block Editor:

Create or edit a post/page
Click the + button to add a block
Search for your plugin’s blocks (they often have a branded icon)
Click to insert the block
Configure using the block settings panel

Example with Instagram Blocks:

Search for “Instagram” in the block inserter
Click the Instagram Blocks icon (green image icon)
Paste an Instagram post URL
Customize dimensions and alignment
Preview and publish

This method requires zero coding knowledge and gets you up and running in minutes.

Method 2: Creating Block Patterns (No Code Required)

Block patterns are reusable arrangements of existing blocks. While not technically “custom blocks,” they function similarly and require no coding.

What Are Block Patterns?

Block patterns are pre-configured layouts combining multiple blocks. They’re perfect for:

Repeated content structures
Branded layouts
Common design patterns
Quick content scaffolding

Creating Custom Block Patterns

Manual Method (Simple):

Build your desired layout using existing blocks
Select all blocks in the layout (click the parent block in List View)
Click the three dots menu
Choose “Create Pattern”
Name your pattern and choose categories
Click “Create”

Your pattern now appears in the block inserter under “Patterns” → “My Patterns.”

Advanced Method (Theme Integration):

For developers wanting to add patterns directly to themes, use the register_block_pattern function:

register_block_pattern(
    'my-theme/featured-content',
    array(
        'title'       => 'Featured Content Box',
        'description' => 'A call-to-action box with image and button',
        'content'     => '<!-- wp:group -->
                         <!-- Block markup here -->
                         <!-- /wp:group -->',
        'categories'  => array('featured')
    )
);

This approach provides organization-wide access to branded patterns.

Method 3: Using Block Builders (Visual Development)

Block builders let you create custom blocks visually without writing code. They bridge the gap between plugins and development.

Popular Block Builder Tools

1. Block Lab (BlockStudio)

Features:

Visual field builder
Custom field integration
No coding required
ACF-like interface

How to use:

Install and activate Block Lab plugin
Go to Block Lab → Add New
Name your block
Add fields (text, image, select, etc.)
Define field properties
Save and use in Block Editor

2. Lazy Blocks

Features:

Visual block constructor
Code editor for advanced users
Custom CSS and JS support
Export functionality

Process:

Install Lazy Blocks
Navigate to Lazy Blocks → Add New
Configure block name, icon, and category
Add controls (fields users can edit)
Define output using Handlebars templates or PHP
Save and test

3. ACF Blocks (Advanced Custom Fields)

If you’re already using ACF Pro, you can create custom blocks:

Setup:

Ensure ACF Pro is active (version 5.8+)
Create a new Field Group
Add fields as normal
In Location rules, select “Block” → “is equal to” → “Your Block Name”
Create a PHP template file for rendering
Register the block in functions.php

This method is powerful but requires some PHP knowledge.

Method 4: Developing Custom Blocks (For Developers)

For complete control, develop custom blocks using JavaScript and React.

Prerequisites

Basic JavaScript knowledge
Understanding of React
Familiarity with npm/Node.js
WordPress development environment

Block Development Workflow

Step 1: Set Up Development Environment

npm install @wordpress/create-block

Step 2: Create a New Block

npx @wordpress/create-block my-custom-block

This generates a starter block with all necessary files.

Step 3: Understanding Block Structure

A custom block consists of:

block.json – Block metadata and configuration
edit.js – Editor interface (what you see when editing)
save.js – Saved content (what appears on frontend)
style.css – Both editor and frontend styles
editor.css – Editor-only styles

Step 4: Customize Your Block

Example: Simple Alert Block

Edit src/edit.js:

import { useBlockProps, InspectorControls } from '@wordpress/block-editor';
import { PanelBody, SelectControl } from '@wordpress/components';

export default function Edit({ attributes, setAttributes }) {
    const { alertType, message } = attributes;
    const blockProps = useBlockProps();

    return (
        <>
            <InspectorControls>
                <PanelBody title="Alert Settings">
                    <SelectControl
                        label="Alert Type"
                        value={alertType}
                        options={[
                            { label: 'Info', value: 'info' },
                            { label: 'Warning', value: 'warning' },
                            { label: 'Success', value: 'success' },
                        ]}
                        onChange={(newType) => setAttributes({ alertType: newType })}
                    />
                </PanelBody>
            </InspectorControls>
            <div {...blockProps} className={`alert alert-${alertType}`}>
                <p>Your alert message here</p>
            </div>
        </>
    );
}

Step 5: Build and Test

npm start  # Development mode with hot reload
npm run build  # Production build

Step 6: Activate the Plugin

Your block is now a WordPress plugin in wp-content/plugins/. Activate it and use it in the Block Editor.

Advanced Block Features

Dynamic Blocks:

Dynamic blocks render on the server, allowing database queries and complex logic:

register_block_type('my-plugin/dynamic-block', array(
    'render_callback' => 'my_render_callback',
));

function my_render_callback($attributes) {
    $latest_posts = get_posts(array('numberposts' => 5));
    // Render HTML
}

Block Variations:

Create multiple versions of a block with different defaults:

wp.blocks.registerBlockVariation('core/embed', {
    name: 'instagram',
    title: 'Instagram',
    icon: 'instagram',
    keywords: ['instagram', 'social'],
    attributes: { providerNameSlug: 'instagram' },
});

Method 5: Extending Existing Blocks

Sometimes you don’t need a completely new block—just modifications to existing ones.

WordPress provides filters to customize existing blocks:

Add Custom Class Names:

const addCustomClassName = (BlockEdit) => {
    return (props) => {
        if (props.name === 'core/paragraph') {
            props.attributes.className = 'custom-paragraph';
        }
        return <BlockEdit {...props} />;
    };
};

wp.hooks.addFilter(
    'editor.BlockEdit',
    'my-plugin/custom-class',
    addCustomClassName
);

Add Custom Block Styles:

wp.blocks.registerBlockStyle('core/quote', {
    name: 'fancy-quote',
    label: 'Fancy Quote',
});

This adds a style variation to the Quote block without creating a new block.

Block Supports API

Modify what controls blocks have access to:

add_filter('block_type_metadata', 'customize_block_supports');

function customize_block_supports($metadata) {
    if ($metadata['name'] === 'core/paragraph') {
        $metadata['supports']['color'] = true;
        $metadata['supports']['spacing'] = true;
    }
    return $metadata;
}

Best Practices for Custom Blocks

1. Plan Before Building

Sketch out your block’s:

Purpose and use cases
Required fields and options
Visual appearance
Responsive behavior

2. Follow WordPress Coding Standards

Use WordPress APIs and components
Follow naming conventions
Provide proper internationalization
Include accessibility features

3. Keep Blocks Focused

Each block should do one thing well. Instead of one mega-block with dozens of options, create multiple specialized blocks.

4. Provide Clear Documentation

Include:

Block description
Usage examples
Configuration options
Troubleshooting tips

5. Test Thoroughly

Test your blocks:

In different themes
With various WordPress versions
On mobile devices
With screen readers
In combination with other blocks

6. Consider Performance

Minimize external dependencies
Lazy load heavy resources
Optimize images and assets
Use caching when appropriate

Common Mistakes When Adding Custom Blocks

1. Over-Complicating Block Options

Too many settings confuse users. Keep configuration options minimal and intuitive.

2. Ignoring Mobile Responsiveness

Always design and test blocks on mobile devices. Most website traffic is mobile.

3. Creating Single-Use Blocks

If a block is only used once, a pattern might be more appropriate.

4. Forgetting About Backward Compatibility

When updating custom blocks, ensure old content still renders correctly using deprecation APIs.

5. Not Following Accessibility Guidelines

Custom blocks must be keyboard-navigable and screen-reader-friendly.

Custom Blocks for Instagram Integration

If you’re specifically interested in Instagram embeds, the Instagram Blocks plugin offers the easiest solution:

What It Provides:

Ready-to-use Instagram embed blocks
Built-in Block Editor controls
Dimension and alignment options
Preview mode
No coding required

When to Build Custom Instagram Blocks:

You need highly specific Instagram layouts
You’re integrating with Instagram API directly
You want to cache Instagram content
You need custom filtering or display logic

For most users, the Instagram Blocks plugin provides sufficient customization without development overhead.

Maintaining Your Custom Blocks

Regular Updates

Test with new WordPress versions
Update dependencies
Fix reported bugs
Add requested features

Documentation

Maintain clear documentation:

Installation instructions
Configuration guide
Troubleshooting section
Changelog

Version Control

Use Git to track changes and enable collaboration.

User Feedback

Listen to users:

Monitor support requests
Track feature requests
Analyze usage patterns
Iterate based on real needs

Resources for Block Development

Official Documentation

Community Resources

WordPress Block Editor GitHub repository
WordPress Stack Exchange
Gutenberg development Slack channel
Block development tutorials and courses

Development Tools

Block Development Mode – Enable with define('SCRIPT_DEBUG', true);
React DevTools – Browser extension for debugging
WordPress Playground – Test blocks in a sandbox environment

Conclusion

Adding custom blocks to WordPress doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you install a plugin in 30 seconds, create a visual block with a builder tool, or develop a sophisticated custom block with React—there’s an approach that matches your skills and needs.

Start with the simplest method that meets your requirements. As your needs grow or your skills develop, you can always advance to more sophisticated approaches.

For most content creators and small businesses, installing quality block plugins like Instagram Blocks provides the perfect balance of functionality and ease of use. You get professional results without the development overhead.

Ready to enhance your WordPress Block Editor? Start by identifying your most common content patterns, then choose the custom block method that best fits your situation. Your future self will thank you for the time saved and consistency gained.

Remember: the best custom block is one that makes your content creation faster, easier, and more enjoyable. Focus on solving real problems rather than adding complexity for its own sake.