So, Why Combine Gutenberg with Bricks and Oxygen for a Smarter WordPress Workflow
I recently shared a full breakdown of this topic on my business site, MKS Web Design, but I wanted to dive into it here from more of a personal angle. This is how I’ve found balance between creativity and usability — for both myself and my clients.
Over the years, I’ve realized that most business owners don’t want to become web developers. They just want to log in, make a quick edit, and move on with their day. That’s why I’ve started merging the Gutenberg editor — WordPress’s native content builder — with advanced tools like Bricks Builder and Oxygen. It gives me all the flexibility I need as a designer, while clients get a simple, stress-free editing experience that they can actually use.
The Balance Between Power and Simplicity
Early on, I made the mistake of putting everything inside the builder — text, images, content blocks — all of it. It looked great, but it was complicated for clients to update. I started getting messages like “I can’t find where to edit this section” or “I think I broke the page.” That’s when it clicked: I needed a better balance.
By using Gutenberg for the content and Bricks/Oxygen for the design framework, I found that balance. Clients get to edit safely within WordPress — the environment they already know — while I handle all the structure, styling, and dynamic logic behind the scenes. It’s faster for me, lighter for the site, and easier for everyone involved.
???? Keeping clients in Gutenberg reduces confusion and support tickets. They feel empowered, and I get fewer “where do I edit this?” emails. Everyone wins.
How It Works Behind the Scenes
In Bricks Builder, I create custom page templates with a dynamic Post Content element. That element acts as a placeholder for Gutenberg — pulling whatever the client adds in their editor into the front-end layout. It keeps the content fresh while maintaining full design control.
In Oxygen, I use Client Mode to hide the builder entirely. Clients only see their text and image blocks inside Gutenberg — simple, intuitive, and impossible to break. The site still runs on Oxygen’s performance engine, but the editing feels like native WordPress.
For Kansas business owners I work with, this hybrid approach has been a game changer. It keeps websites fast, on-brand, and easy to update, even years after launch.
The 80/20 Rule
Roughly 80% of my websites are editable directly through Gutenberg, while the remaining 20% — things like global sections, custom grids, or advanced animations — live in the builder. That keeps sites scalable. Clients get access to what they actually need, and I protect the rest so the design stays consistent and optimized.
It also saves a ton of time when I’m maintaining sites. I can tweak templates, roll out updates, or build new modules without affecting existing client content. It’s efficient, and it scales beautifully across multiple Kansas-based sites I manage through MKS Web Design.
Adding Custom Fields and Dynamic Blocks
I also use ACF Pro and custom Gutenberg blocks to add flexibility where it matters. For example, if a client wants to update testimonials or featured projects, I create structured ACF fields that sync with Bricks. They just fill in the details — name, image, description — and it updates automatically on the front end. It’s easy, consistent, and looks great every time.
This system has completely changed how I build and scale WordPress sites. Every project becomes part of a larger ecosystem — reusable, modular, and easy to maintain — which is essential for a growing Kansas web design business like mine.
Okay, Here’s My Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, I believe in designing for real people — not just developers. Combining Gutenberg with Bricks and Oxygen gives me creative control while giving clients simplicity and peace of mind. If you want to see how I apply this system across Kansas web projects, you can check out the full post on MKS Web Design.
And if you’re a web designer exploring similar workflows, or a business owner looking for a custom WordPress site that’s easy to edit, feel free to get in touch. I love talking shop and helping others simplify their process.
