As the preferred content material administration system (CMS) on the earth, WordPress serves because the artistic springboard for internet builders and artistic professionals to craft web sites of all sizes and shapes. 

Many WordPress Builders depend on the Superior Customized Fields (ACF) plugin to assist create very good digital experiences, and simply create new fields, customized publish varieties, and taxonomies.

With ACF put in on over 4.5 million WordPress websites, its customers are sometimes on the forefront of WordPress growth. Their insights supply a window into greatest practices and useful ideas you possibly can incorporate into your personal site-building efforts.  

The not too long ago carried out (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 well-liked 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 developments and growth 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 complete 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 house owners 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 honest to say the majority of ACF customers are technically savvy and infrequently concerned within the enterprise of constructing WordPress websites. 

With regards to the dimensions and scope of those customers’ groups and obligations, simply over 11% recognized as solo builders, greater than half (52%) represented small groups (of 1-3 devs), almost 25% have been from mid-sized groups (4-10 devs), and shut to five% have been from bigger groups (11-20 devs). 

Apparently, 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 shopper websites month-to-month, almost 43% handle 11-50 websites, 18% oversee 51-200 websites, simply over 2% sort out 201-500 websites, and fewer than 1% are liable for managing greater than 500 websites.

ACF: The Spine of WordPress Tasks

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.

With regards to the best way 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), almost 34% additionally favor the block-based future. 

A barely bigger share (38%) takes a balanced path, incorporating elements of Full Web site Enhancing, block enhancing, and conventional WordPress growth into their workflow.  

Devotees of web page builders and people exploring headless WordPress have been additionally represented within the outcomes. It needs to be famous that customers might select a couple of reply, so the totally 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 needs of the shopper. 

Block Enhancing: The Artwork of Constructing

Because the introduction of the Gutenberg (Block) Editor in WordPress 5.0, block enhancing has turn into 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 reveals that greater than 55% of respondents use ACF Blocks for this goal, harnessing the ability of ACF inside the (nonetheless comparatively new) WordPress block editor.

A smaller fraction (~4%) opts for React to craft customized blocks. In the meantime, 28% stick to WordPress native blocks, whereas the “Different” class hints on the various methods builders are wielding their block-editing instruments.

Most well-liked ACF Plugins and Fields

WordPress growth wouldn’t be full with out a treasure trove of plugins, and the survey unearthed a listing of generally used third-party ACF plugins builders use to reinforce their WordPress workflows. That listing consists of:

Ensure to take a look at the total listing right here. 

As for ACF fields, builders definitely have their favorites. The survey revealed that Textual content, Textual content Space, and Picture fields are essentially the most often used ACF fields, whereas Repeater, WYSIWYG Editor, True / False, and Hyperlink, additionally acquired a big share of responses.

The Builders Behind the Blocks

Web page builders play a pivotal position within the WordPress ecosystem by democratizing internet design, permitting customers of all ability ranges to create visually beautiful and practical web sites with out intensive coding information.

They empower web site creators to avoid wasting time, improve consumer 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 gorgeous and practical web sites we see at the moment, and so they proceed to serve an essential goal, at the same time as builders uncover new methods of constructing with WordPress.

The Way forward for WordPress

With regards to the way forward for WordPress, the outlook is brilliant.

76% of survey respondents mentioned they’re prone to proceed constructing websites with WordPress, affirming the enduring attraction of the world’s favourite CMS. 

In the meantime, retaining WordPress updated is crucial for safety and performance, and the survey discovered that the majority (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 a complete.

Instruments of the Commerce

With regards to further instruments of the commerce relied upon by ACF customers, the survey outcomes mirror various fascinating approaches. 

For instance, model management is a regular observe in software program growth, and WordPress isn’t any exception. The survey reveals that greater than 60% of respondents use model management of their website growth, making certain easy crusing by 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.

With regards to native growth, almost 40% of builders favor Native as their go-to device, offering a steady surroundings for crafting and testing WordPress websites.

In the meantime, Composer, a device 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 growth ecosystem, in addition to the large world of customizable performance and highly effective extensions you achieve 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 precious take a look at the methods and preferences of these shaping the digital world, one WordPress website at a time.

See the entire survey outcomes right here, or study how one can get began with the ACF plugin right here.