As the most well-liked content material administration system (CMS) on the planet, WordPress serves because the inventive springboard for internet builders and inventive professionals to craft web sites of all styles and sizes.
Many WordPress Builders depend on the Superior Customized Fields (ACF) plugin to assist create very good digital experiences, and simply create new fields, customized put up sorts, and taxonomies.
With ACF put in on over 4.5 million WordPress websites, its customers are sometimes on the forefront of WordPress improvement. Their insights supply a window into finest practices and helpful suggestions you possibly can incorporate into your individual site-building efforts.
The not too long ago performed (and first of its form) Superior Customized Fields (ACF) Annual Survey reveals these insights, compiling responses from greater than 2,000 respondents. The survey outcomes showcase their most popular methods of working with WordPress and ACF, in addition to the plugins, themes, and extra builder instruments they use for mission-critical websites.
Within the following sections, we’ll break down the survey findings in addition to the traits and improvement practices they illuminate. Let’s dive in!
Survey Demographics:
Who’re ACF Customers?
Earlier than we dive additional into the survey outcomes, let’s take a more in-depth take a look at who precisely “ACF customers” embody, per the 2023 survey outcomes.
Out of the survey’s 2,031 whole respondents, 81% described themselves as builders. Of these, 46% work at an company, whereas 38% work as freelancers.
However ACF customers aren’t restricted to purely technical roles. Enterprise homeowners and designers every made up roughly 7% of the pattern, whereas editors, entrepreneurs, and a smattering of “different” roles rounded it out.
Nonetheless, it’s truthful to say the majority of ACF customers are technically savvy and sometimes concerned within the enterprise of constructing WordPress websites.
On the subject of the dimensions and scope of those customers’ groups and tasks, simply over 11% recognized as solo builders, greater than half (52%) represented small groups (of 1-3 devs), practically 25% had been from mid-sized groups (4-10 devs), and shut to five% had been from bigger groups (11-20 devs).
Curiously, that share went again up barely (6%) with regard to groups of greater than 20 builders.
When it comes to web site administration, greater than 35% deal with 0-10 consumer websites month-to-month, practically 43% handle 11-50 websites, 18% oversee 51-200 websites, simply over 2% sort out 201-500 websites, and fewer than 1% are answerable for managing greater than 500 websites.
ACF: The Spine of WordPress Initiatives
Think about having a secret weapon in your WordPress arsenal that makes your websites stand out. For simply over 70% of respondents, ACF is that secret weapon. They use it for each single one in all their WordPress tasks.
The remaining 29% go for a extra selective strategy, reserving ACF for a few of their websites.
On the subject of the way in which these web sites are constructed, the survey revealed an fascinating tapestry of approaches.
Whereas a surprisingly massive section (56%) of builders are nonetheless utilizing the standard WordPress route (full with PHP templates and the block editor disabled), practically 34% additionally favor the block-based future.
A barely bigger share (38%) takes a balanced path, incorporating points of Full Website Modifying, block modifying, and conventional WordPress improvement into their workflow.
Devotees of web page builders and people exploring headless WordPress had been additionally represented within the outcomes. It ought to be famous that customers might select a couple of reply, so the completely different approaches aren’t unique. For instance, many builders create conventional WordPress websites, block-themed websites, and headless WordPress websites, relying on the wants of the state of affairs and the wishes of the consumer.
Block Modifying: The Artwork of Constructing
For the reason that introduction of the Gutenberg (Block) Editor in WordPress 5.0, block modifying has turn out to be one of many transformative options of WordPress, because it permits for large customization and permits builders to create blocks particular to their distinctive wants.
The survey exhibits that greater than 55% of respondents use ACF Blocks for this objective, harnessing the facility of ACF throughout the (nonetheless comparatively new) WordPress block editor.
A smaller fraction (~4%) opts for React to craft customized blocks. In the meantime, 28% follow WordPress native blocks, whereas the “Different” class hints on the numerous methods builders are wielding their block-editing instruments.
Most popular ACF Plugins and Fields
WordPress improvement wouldn’t be full and not using a treasure trove of plugins, and the survey unearthed an inventory of generally used third-party ACF plugins builders use to reinforce their WordPress workflows. That listing contains:
Ensure that to take a look at the total listing right here.
As for ACF fields, builders actually have their favorites. The survey revealed that Textual content, Textual content Space, and Picture fields are essentially the most ceaselessly used ACF fields, whereas Repeater, WYSIWYG Editor, True / False, and Hyperlink, additionally acquired a major share of responses.
The Builders Behind the Blocks
Web page builders play a pivotal function within the WordPress ecosystem by democratizing internet design, permitting customers of all talent ranges to create visually gorgeous and purposeful web sites with out in depth coding information.
They empower web site creators to avoid wasting time, improve person experiences, and customise their on-line presence with ease, finally contributing to the widespread reputation and flexibility of the WordPress platform. However which web page builders are WordPress builders actually utilizing?
Per the survey outcomes, Elementor reigns supreme amongst web page builders, adopted by Divi, Bricks Builder, and Beaver Builder (with WPBakery and Oxygen not too far behind).
These instruments assist form the WordPress panorama into the attractive and purposeful web sites we see right this moment, and so they proceed to serve an necessary objective, whilst builders uncover new methods of constructing with WordPress.
The Way forward for WordPress
On the subject of the way forward for WordPress, the outlook is shiny.
76% of survey respondents mentioned they’re more likely to proceed constructing websites with WordPress, affirming the enduring enchantment of the world’s favourite CMS.
In the meantime, holding WordPress updated is important for safety and performance, and the survey discovered that almost all (75%) respondents are very snug updating their WordPress websites with the newest ACF model.
It’s an indication of a vibrant and adaptable group— each amongst ACF customers and the bigger WordPress group as an entire.
Instruments of the Commerce
On the subject of further instruments of the commerce relied upon by ACF customers, the survey outcomes mirror a variety of fascinating approaches.
For instance, model management is a typical apply in software program improvement, and WordPress isn’t any exception. The survey exhibits that greater than 60% of respondents use model management of their web site improvement, making certain easy crusing via code adjustments and updates.
Multisites, which permit a number of websites to be managed from a single WordPress set up, are embraced by greater than 40% of respondents, showcasing WordPress’s versatility.
On the subject of native improvement, practically 40% of builders favor Native as their go-to software, offering a secure setting for crafting and testing WordPress websites.
In the meantime, Composer, a software for managing dependencies, is utilized by 27% of respondents, streamlining the event course of.
Lastly, deploying WordPress websites requires a methodical strategy. The survey reveals that FTP, Git Push on WP Engine, and WP Migrate are all prime decisions in relation to launching web sites.
Conclusion: Two Vibrant Ecosystems in One
The ACF Annual Survey paints a vibrant image of the WordPress improvement ecosystem, in addition to the large world of customizable performance and highly effective extensions you acquire entry to with ACF.
From the various roles of ACF customers to the multitude of instruments they like to work with, this group—of ACF and WordPress customers— thrives on innovation and adaptableness.
As WordPress continues to evolve, these insights supply a beneficial take a look at the methods and preferences of these shaping the digital world, one WordPress web site at a time.
See the whole survey outcomes right here, or study how one can get began with the ACF plugin right here.
