Picture this: You build websites with Sydney, and you want the flexibility to choose between Elementor’s drag-and-drop power and WordPress’ lightning-fast Gutenberg editor. Until now, you had to pick one or the other.
Well, we heard you! Today, we’re excited to announce that aThemes Starters 1.1 gives you full support for the Sydney WordPress Block Editor starters, while keeping all the Elementor magic you already love.
But wait, there’s more. We’ve also supercharged our aThemes Blocks plugin to version 1.1, transforming it into a powerhouse that works beautifully with Sydney.
Here’s the thing: WordPress is moving toward blocks, and for good reason. Block-based sites are typically faster than page builder alternatives. That means better Google rankings, happier visitors, and more conversions for your business.
But we also know that many of you love Elementor’s visual editing experience. So instead of forcing you to choose, we decided to give you both options.
All Your Favorite Sydney Starter Sites, Now Block-Powered
Remember those gorgeous Elementor-based Sydney starter sites you love? We’ve converted every single one to use the WordPress block editor. That means you can import any Sydney demo and start customizing immediately.
And we didn’t cut any corners along the way. We’ve rebuilt each starter site from the ground up to take advantage of the block editor’s performance benefits while maintaining the stunning designs that made Sydney famous.
What this means for you:
- Faster loading times out of the box
- Better mobile performance
- Cleaner code that search engines love
- Easier maintenance and updates
- Full compatibility with WordPress’s latest features
Introducing aThemes Blocks 1.1
Here’s where things get really exciting. We’ve completely reimagined aThemes Blocks as a comprehensive block toolkit, now featuring 11 powerful new blocks that rival the best in the ecosystem:
Essential Building Blocks
- Container Block – Advanced layouts without the bloat
- Heading Block – Typography control that makes designers weep
- Button Block – Conversion-optimized calls-to-action
- Text Block – Rich formatting that actually looks good
- Icon Block – Visual elements that guide user attention
- Image Block – Smart optimization and stunning displays
Dynamic Content Blocks
- Testimonial Block – Social proof that converts
- Google Maps Block – Location integration done right
- Post Grid Block – Showcase your content beautifully
- Taxonomy Grid Block – Help visitors find what they need
- Team Member Block – Put faces to your brand
The best part? You can enable or disable any block through our brand-new dashboard. Only activate what you need, keeping your site lightning-fast.
We’ve learned that the best tools are the ones that get out of your way. That’s why aThemes Blocks 1.1 includes a control dashboard that lets you manage everything from one place.
Want to use just the Post Grid and Button blocks? No problem, disable everything else and keep your site lean. Need the full arsenal for a complex project? Enable them all with a few clicks.
It’s the “stupid simple” approach we’re known for, now applied to blocks.
Backward Compatibility? We’ve Got You Covered
Worried about your existing Sydney site? Don’t be. Everything you’ve built with Elementor continues working exactly as before. Your aThemes Blocks from previous versions? They’re still there, still working perfectly.
This isn’t about forcing change, it’s about giving you more options when you’re ready for them.
Ready to Experience the Future?
Whether you’re starting fresh or upgrading an existing Sydney site, now is the perfect time to explore what blocks can do for you.
New to Sydney? Import any of our block-powered starter sites by updating the aThemes Starters plugin and feel the difference in speed and usability.
Sydney veteran? Experiment with blocks and keep your existing Elementor content safe and sound.
Excited for aThemes Blocks 1.1? Update your plugin and discover 11 new blocks to build better websites.
The future of WordPress is being written in blocks, and Sydney is leading the way. We can’t wait to see what you build with these new tools.
Ready to give your website the speed and flexibility it deserves? Get Sydney now and experience the best of both worlds.
Till next time,
Kamruzzaman Alam
P.S. This is just the beginning. We’re already working on even more features, starters, addons and blocks to make Sydney the most flexible and powerful theme in the WordPress ecosystem. Stay tuned!
