As the most popular material management system (CMS) on the planet, WordPress acts as the imaginative springboard for web designers and imaginative specialists to craft sites of all sizes and shapes.
Lots Of WordPress Contractors depend on the Advanced Customized Fields (ACF) plugin to assist produce excellent digital experiences, and quickly produce brand-new fields, customized post types, and taxonomies.
With ACF set up on over 4.5 million WordPress websites, its users are typically at the leading edge of WordPress advancement. Their insights use a window into finest practices and helpful suggestions you can include into your own site-building efforts.
The just recently carried out (and initially of its kind) Advanced Customized Fields (ACF) Yearly Study exposes these insights, putting together reactions from more than 2,000 participants. The study results display their chosen methods of dealing with WordPress and ACF, in addition to the plugins, styles, and extra home builder tools they utilize for mission-critical websites.
In the following areas, we’ll break down the study findings in addition to the patterns and advancement practices they light up. Let’s dive in!
Study Demographics:
Who are ACF Users?
Prior to we dive even more into the study results, let’s take a better take a look at who precisely “ACF users” include, per the 2023 study outcomes.
Out of the study’s 2,031 overall participants, 81% explained themselves as designers. Of those, 46% work at a firm, while 38% work as freelancers.
However ACF users aren’t restricted to simply technical functions. Entrepreneur and designers each comprised approximately 7% of the sample, while editors, online marketers, and a smattering of “other” functions rounded it out.
However, it’s reasonable to state the bulk of ACF users are technically smart and typically associated with business of constructing WordPress websites.
When it concerns the size and scope of these users’ groups and duties, simply over 11% determined as solo designers, over half (52%) represented little groups (of 1-3 devs), almost 25% were from mid-sized groups (4-10 devs), and near 5% were from bigger groups (11-20 devs).
Surprisingly, that portion returned up a little (6%) with regard to groups of more than 20 designers.
In regards to site management, more than 35% manage 0-10 customer websites month-to-month, almost 43% handle 11-50 websites, 18% manage 51-200 websites, simply over 2% take on 201-500 websites, and less than 1% are accountable for handling more than 500 websites.
ACF: The Foundation of WordPress Projects
Envision having an ace in the hole in your WordPress toolbox that makes your websites stand apart. For simply over 70% of participants, ACF is that trump card. They utilize it for every single single among their WordPress tasks.
The staying 29% select a more selective technique, booking ACF for a few of their websites.
When it concerns the method these sites are developed, the study exposed an intriguing tapestry of methods.
While a remarkably big sector (56%) of designers are still utilizing the standard WordPress path (total with PHP design templates and the block editor handicapped), almost 34% likewise prefer the block-based future.
A a little bigger portion (38%) takes a well balanced course, including elements of Complete Website Modifying, obstruct modifying, and standard WordPress advancement into their workflow.
Followers of page home builders and those checking out headless WordPress were likewise represented in the outcomes. It ought to be kept in mind that users might select more than one response, so the various methods aren’t unique. For instance, numerous designers produce standard WordPress websites, block-themed websites, and headless WordPress websites, depending upon the requirements of the circumstance and the desires of the customer.
Block Modifying: The Art of Structure
Given that the intro of the Gutenberg (Block) Editor in WordPress 5.0, block modifying has actually turned into one of the transformative functions of WordPress, as it permits broad personalization and allows designers to produce blocks particular to their distinct requirements.
The study reveals that more than 55% of participants utilize ACF Blocks for this function, utilizing the power of ACF within the (still reasonably brand-new) WordPress block editor.
A smaller sized portion (~ 4%) chooses React to craft customized blocks. On the other hand, 28% stick to WordPress native blocks, while the “Other” classification mean the varied methods designers are wielding their block-editing tools.
Preferred ACF Plugins and Fields
WordPress advancement would not be total without a gold mine of plugins, and the study discovered a list of typically utilized third-party ACF plugins designers utilize to improve their WordPress workflows. That list consists of:
Make certain to have a look at the complete list here
When it comes to ACF fields, designers definitely have their favorites. The study exposed that Text, Text Location, and Image fields are the most often utilized ACF fields, while Repeater, WYSIWYG Editor, Real/ False, and Link, likewise got a considerable share of reactions.
The Builders Behind the Blocks
Page home builders play a critical function in the WordPress environment by equalizing website design, enabling users of all ability levels to produce aesthetically sensational and practical sites without substantial coding understanding.
They empower site developers to conserve time, improve user experiences, and personalize their online existence with ease, eventually adding to the extensive appeal and adaptability of the WordPress platform. However which page home builders are WordPress home builders actually utilizing?
Per the study results, Elementor rules supreme amongst page home builders, followed by Divi, Bricks Home Builder, and Beaver Home Builder (with WPBakery and Oxygen not too far behind).
These tools assist form the WordPress landscape into the gorgeous and practical sites we see today, and they continue to serve an essential function, even as designers find brand-new methods of structure with WordPress.
The Future of WordPress
When it concerns the future of WordPress, the outlook is brilliant.
76% of study participants stated they are most likely to continue constructing websites with WordPress, verifying the long-lasting appeal of the world’s preferred CMS.
On The Other Hand, keeping WordPress approximately date is important for security and performance, and the study discovered that the majority of (75%) participants are really comfy upgrading their WordPress websites with the current ACF variation.
It suggests a lively and versatile neighborhood– both amongst ACF users and the bigger WordPress neighborhood as a whole.
Tools of the Trade
When it concerns extra tools of the trade trusted by ACF users, the study results show a variety of intriguing methods.
For instance, variation control is a basic practice in software application advancement, and WordPress is no exception. The study reveals that more than 60% of participants utilize variation control in their website advancement, guaranteeing smooth cruising through code modifications and updates.
Multisites, which enable several websites to be handled from a single WordPress setup, are welcomed by more than 40% of participants, showcasing WordPress’s adaptability.
When it concerns regional advancement, almost 40% of designers prefer Regional as their go-to tool, supplying a steady environment for crafting and checking WordPress websites.
On The Other Hand, Author, a tool for handling dependences, is utilized by 27% of participants, simplifying the advancement procedure.
Last but not least, releasing WordPress websites needs a systematic technique. The study exposes that FTP, Git Push on WP Engine, and WP Migrate are all leading options when it concerns introducing sites.
Conclusion: 2 Lively Communities in One
The ACF Yearly Study paints a lively image of the WordPress advancement environment, in addition to the broad world of personalized performance and effective extensions you access to with ACF.
From the varied functions of ACF users to the plethora of tools they choose to deal with, this neighborhood– of ACF and WordPress users– prospers on development and flexibility.
As WordPress continues to progress, these insights use an important take a look at the techniques and choices of those forming the digital world, one WordPress website at a time.
See the total study outcomes here, or find out how you can begin with the ACF plugin here