How We Scale WordPress Development with ACF and Custom Blocks

While WordPress currently accounts for approximately 40 percent of the Internet, agencies are not approaching WordPress development the same way. Many use page builders; others use React-based Gutenberg development; some have combined numerous plugins and templates over time. While there are valid reasons why all these approaches may work, they tend to present obstacles for larger sites with increasing amounts of content, complexity and editorial needs. Understanding the principles of scalable wordpress development is essential for agencies handling multiple projects. 

Identifying the characteristics of WordPress development methodologies that provide scalability advantages is important for agencies that handle numerous projects and require reliable, manageable systems. This article will provide a general overview of how Sonnet utilizes Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) and a structured custom block architecture to consistently produce scalable, accessible and editor-friendly WordPress developments. 

What ACF Is and Why It Matters 

Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) is a WordPress plugin that provides developers with the ability to define structured fields for content. For those wondering what is a wordpress block, ACF allows blocks to be customized with structured content fields for easier management. ACF does not rely entirely on the core WordPress Editor, nor does it rely upon fixed template areas. Rather, ACF provides a controlled mechanism for accepting dynamic content on your website. 

ACF PRO further enhances the functionality of ACF by providing additional field types, options pages and most importantly, ACF Blocks. ACF Blocks enable developers to create Gutenberg blocks using PHP as opposed to React. Therefore, agencies are able to develop flexible content structures without having to adopt a full JavaScript-based workflow. 

Practically speaking, ACF PRO affords teams the ability to: 

• Build reusable components. 

• Provide editors with structured, guided fields. 

• Maintain consistent layout across the site. 

• Reduce technical overhead by avoiding complex build tools.  

This combination of flexibility, speed and clarity is the reason why ACF continues to be widely adopted, even as Gutenberg evolves. 

Why ACF Remains Effective for Gutenberg Development 

Gutenberg brought a block-based editing experience to WordPress and supports completely custom blocks created in React. Many developers often ask what is a wordpress block, and understanding its structured role is crucial for scalable site architecture. However, as with anything powerful, this approach has a steeper learning curve and also creates a dependency on maintaining JavaScript libraries. 

ACF provides an alternative approach. Rather than creating React components, developers can create server-side PHP templates and pair them with ACF field groups. The resulting product resembles a native Gutenberg block, however, is much easier to create and maintain. 

This approach presents a number of benefits for agencies: 

• Reduces the amount of time it takes to develop blocks. 

• Integrates naturally with existing WordPress development skills. 

• Reduces the complexity associated with developing blocks. 

• Provides consistent and structured layouts for editors. 

For many agencies, the majority of the blocks they develop do not require React level interactivity. They want clarity, consistency and maintainability — areas in which ACF Advanced Custom Fields excels. 

How Sonnet Structures ACF Blocks 

Sonnet’s development process depends upon a consistent, modular block system based upon folder organization, block.json, and a single register.php file. 

Each block resides in its own unique folder. This ensures that all aspects of the block stay together during the development, updating and reuse processes. Each folder contains: 

• a block.json file that defines the metadata, icon, category, and preview for the block. 

• the template.php file that is responsible for rendering the block output. 

• the preview image provided by Gutenberg to assist editors in identifying the block. 

• an ACF field group defined specifically for the block. 

These features are enabled by a single register.php file. Rather than registering each individual block manually, this file loops through the block folders and automatically registers the blocks via register_block_type(). The only thing developers need to do to get started is create a new folder and include the necessary files; the registration system takes care of the rest. 

This system ensures that any developer working on wordpress development projects will understand exactly how to manage and scale content efficiently. 

This method ensures that all blocks are created and maintained in accordance with the same structural and conventional standards, which is especially important when multiple developers collaborate on the same code base. 

Example: The “WYSIWYG & Side Content” Block 

As an example of how this system operates, consider Sonnet’s “WYSIWYG & Side Content” block. Editors often ask what is a wordpress block, and this block serves as a perfect example of structured content flexibility. This block provides a layout that pairs rich text with a complementary image or secondary content area. 

This block is organized in the same manner as previously stated: 

• block.json defines the name, category, keywords, and preview for the block. 

• The ACF Advanced Custom Fields field group contains the WYSIWYG field and the side content field. 

• template.php is responsible for rendering the selected layout using server-side logic. 

• The preview image is shown within Gutenberg to provide editors with visual cues to identify the block. 

This block is used in a variety of industries because it provides flexibility while maintaining a visually consistent layout. Editors can update text and supporting content without altering the layout and developers can alter or expand the block without affecting other portions of the website. 

Why This Structure Scales Effectively 

Structured ACF block system development supports scalability in many different ways. Those benefits will be especially important when agencies are building out multiple sites using some of the same elements or when new team members enter a project at various stages of completion. 

Maintenance 

In a self-contained block structure each block is able to be updated independently of other blocks. Files will always exist in the same location; this makes it easier to find your templates and make changes to your logic. In addition version control will be better organized since all the changes made will always reside in the same block folder. 

The potential for “code sprawl” will decrease along with the possibility of breaking unrelated components during any updates. 

Team Productivity 

By creating a predictable folder and template structure, any developer entering a project will be able to quickly determine how the blocks are arranged and get up-to-speed sooner. This is a major advantage in wordpress development projects with multiple contributors. This will improve the efficiency of collaboration among team members working on the same site at the same time. 

Creating a new block will only involve creating a folder and the necessary files, simplifying the process. 

Editor Experience 

Content editors love ACF Advanced Custom Fields blocks from a content editing point-of-view. Content editors are provided with intuitive field labels, consistent layouts and useful preview images. Content editors know exactly what each block will do prior to adding it to their page. 

This will reduce errors, prevent layout problems, and increase confidence when managing content on their website. 

Performance Advantages 

Since ACF Advanced Custom Fields blocks are generated on the server side, they avoid the additional overhead associated with rendering JavaScript heavy components. This results in faster load times for pages and cleaner front end performance; this results in improved SEO and a better user experience. 

Forward Thinking Design 

ACF’s use of block.json is aligned with the long term strategy of WordPress for developing blocks. This maintains the compatibility of the system with future updates to the platform. 

When a site needs more complex interactions in the future, a hybrid model may be developed without having to completely rewrite the entire block library. The ACF system lends itself to evolution, and does not limit the developer to a specific paradigm. 

How Does This Method Compare to Other Options? 

Many agencies have to decide whether to use page builders, core Gutenberg with React, or an ACF Advanced Custom Fields-based workflow. While each method serves a purpose, each serves a different purpose. 

ACF Blocks 

ACF is most suited for the creation of structured, flexible content components, which are built to meet the needs of marketing websites, multi-page content structures, and brand-driven layouts. Agencies using ACF are looking for speed, maintenance, and a lot of options. 

Gutenberg Blocks Based On React 

Gutenberg blocks based on React are better suited for highly interactive features, advanced user interfaces, or complex functionality that relies on client-side logic. While very powerful, they require more specialized knowledge and longer development cycles. 

Page Builders 

Page builders offer the advantage of drag-and-drop functionality, but they create unpredictable code, slow performance, and inconsistent templates. Page builders are best suited for small, internal teams, and not ideal for large-scale agencies who want to reuse and consistently implement systems. 

ACF falls somewhere in the middle – it offers enough power for serious development, while providing enough efficiency to allow for fast implementation. 

For many, wordpress development using ACF strikes the perfect balance between flexibility and efficiency. 

Continuous Improvement in Sonnet’s System 

The existing ACF Advanced Custom Fields block system is a good system, however, Sonnet continually refines it. Some common areas for improvement include: 

• Simplify naming conventions 

• Improve block previews 

• Reduce redundant block registration logic 

• Explore lightweight JavaScript improvements 

• Align with the global styles and block theme standards 

Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that development is efficient, and that the system continues to support both developers and content editors as WordPress continues to evolve. 

Key Takeaways 

• ACF PRO gives developers the ability to build Gutenberg blocks using PHP, which helps to eliminate unnecessary complexity and facilitates faster development 

• In our white label agency, we utilize a structured, self-contained block architecture using folders, block.json, and a central register.php file. 

• The method described above improves maintainability, team productivity, content editor confidence, and overall site performance. 

• The system is designed to align with the latest WordPress standards, and can transition into a hybrid or React-based solution if needed. 

• For agencies, this method provides a reliable, scalable base for producing quality WordPress sites. 

Conclusion 

ACF Advanced Custom Fields is a strong and versatile tool for modern WordPress development. When combined with a structured block development methodology, it promotes the types of scalable development methodologies that help agencies, developers, and clients. 

It provides a good balance between flexibility and maintainability, especially for projects that emphasize stability and long-term structure of the layouts, usability of the content editor, and organization of content. 

If you would like to learn more about scalable WordPress development, please let us know by sharing this post, leaving a comment, or subscribing for future posts. 

If you want to better understand what is a wordpress block and how it impacts scalable wordpress development, following this methodology is a great first step.