Dynamic content in website design can greatly enhance the way we build and manage our sites.
In my experience, using dynamic content makes websites more adaptable and easier to handle over time. This concept has been popular with sophisticated page builder plugins, yet it was somewhat off-limits for WordPress’s block builder until recently.
With new tools emerging, I’ll show you how to incorporate dynamic features into your WordPress site, ensuring it looks good and functions well.
To illustrate, I’ve used dynamic content with my product, Presto Player.
By creating separate pages for each feature, I can efficiently communicate its benefits. Instead of duplicating layouts, dynamic content lets me use one template with custom fields to streamline changes. This ensures consistency across all pages without the hassle of manual updates.
Now, we’ll explore various tools, from Advanced Custom Fields to the Jet Engine plugin, that assist in building a flexible site.
Key Takeaways
- Dynamic content enhances website flexibility.
- Presto Player serves as an example of effective use.
- Tools simplify the creation and management of dynamic sites.
The Strength of Ever-Changing Content
Dynamic content transforms how we manage websites, making them not only more flexible but also easier to handle over time.
In the past, many page builder plugins such as Divi, Elementor, and Beaver Builder offered dynamic content and theme building features, which made tasks like creating pages much simpler. Until now, the options within the WordPress block builder were quite restricted. However, new tools have emerged, providing similar functionalities, making the WordPress block builder more versatile.
For instance, I used this concept in one of my projects with Presto Player, which is a feature-rich video player for WordPress.
To effectively showcase its capabilities, I created separate pages for each major feature. Each page maintains the same design except for a few specific elements like the heading, some text, and a video.
Instead of manually adjusting 30 different pages whenever I wanted a layout change, dynamic content allows me to make changes in one place that reflect across all pages. This approach simplifies the process significantly.
Let’s look at the key elements of dynamic content: creating custom fields, designing templates, and displaying these fields within layouts. Several tools support these steps.
Advanced Custom Fields is a popular free plugin that enables custom fields creation. Although there is a pro version available, I’ve never found a need for it.
On the other hand, Pods, also free, supports making custom fields and post types but lacks consistent updates.
Paid solutions like JetEngine by CrocoBlock, which costs £26 for a single site, offer comprehensive functionalities. It not only supports creating custom fields and post types but also displays this content seamlessly within the WordPress block builder.
Choosing the right tool depends on specific needs, budget, and the desired level of flexibility.
Real-World Example: Presto Player
I use an example from my own business to show the power of dynamic content. I have a product called Presto Player, a video player for WordPress.
To showcase its features, I’ve made separate pages on my website for each major feature. Each page has a bit of text, some instructions, a demo video, and a feature grid. This grid allows visitors to click on hover cards to learn more about different features.
Each page has a similar layout, with just six variable elements: the heading, a piece of text, the video, and three more items. If I were to create these pages manually, I’d need to copy the layout and update each of these six elements across 30 pages. If I wanted to change the page layout, I’d have to make those changes manually on every page.
Using dynamic content simplifies this. By setting up custom fields, I can easily adjust the layout by changing it once, instead of going page by page.
This method is not just useful for me; many other businesses face similar challenges.
Dynamic content involves three steps: creating custom fields, setting up a theme or page template, and displaying data from those fields in the design.
For custom fields, free plugins like Advanced Custom Fields are a good choice. Despite never using the pro version, the free one has met all my needs. Pods is another free option but lacks a business model, leading to fewer updates.
For paid options, JetEngine by CrocoBlock offers custom fields, post types, and content display. It is compatible with both Elementor and the WordPress block builder.
Using Dynamic Content Effectively
Dynamic content greatly enhances the flexibility and manageability of websites. I’ve discovered just how much it can simplify creating multiple pages with similar layouts, especially when using tools like Divi or Elementor.
These plugins have had dynamic content capabilities for a while, but only recently has the WordPress block builder started to catch up. Now, with new products offering similar functionalities, dynamic content is becoming more accessible for everyone.
Let me explain with an example from my own business. I have a product called Presto Player, a video player for WordPress.
To showcase its features, I’ve created individual pages for each major feature, sharing detailed instructions and a feature demonstration. Each page contains unique content at the top, but the layout from that point onwards is identical. I ended up creating around 30 pages this way.
With static pages, making any layout changes would mean updating every single page manually—a tedious task.
Dynamic content simplifies this process. By using custom fields, I’m able to adjust the page layout in one go rather than correcting every page individually. This consistency is crucial for businesses with multiple services that require similar layouts for dedicated pages.
Creating custom fields is the first step, and I use Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) for this. It’s a well-known plugin, popular for its range of features. Surprisingly, I’ve only ever used the free version, as it provides everything needed for creating custom fields.
Another free option is Pods, which also supports custom post types. Despite its rare updates and lack of a business model, it’s still a viable tool.
For those open to investing in a paid option, CrocoBlock offers JetEngine. It supports both Elementor and Gutenberg, providing a comprehensive solution for custom fields, post types, and displaying dynamic content. It’s priced at £26 per site, which is reasonable considering its capabilities.
Exploring Dynamic Features
Making Specialised Info Fields
I’ve found creating custom fields to be a useful aspect of making a dynamic website. It enables me to easily manage changes across many pages. For instance, Advanced Custom Fields is a popular, free plugin which I rely on for building these fields. It offers a pro version as well, but I’ve never used or needed the paid version.
Another option I’ve used is Pods, which also allows for creating custom fields and post types. Although it’s free, it lacks regular updates due to no revenue model.
| Plugin | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Custom Fields | Free/Pro | £0 / £49 per year |
| Pods | Free | £0 |
Crafting Theme Looks and Layouts
When setting up the appearance of my site, I use tools that assist in making page templates. Croco Block’s Jet Engine is one tool I’ve explored.
It’s compatible with page builders like Elementor and the WordPress block builder. It’s handy for making both custom fields and post types. Jet Engine supports dynamic content display, adding flexibility to my site layouts.
| Tool | Use | Compatible With |
|---|---|---|
| Jet Engine | Custom fields, Post types | Elementor, Block Builder |
Showing Live Content Dynamically
With dynamic content, showing different information on similar page layouts becomes easy. Each page might have various headings or videos, but the core layout remains the same.
By using dynamic content, making changes is efficient. I can adjust the layout once, and it reflects across all pages, saving me from manual updates. This approach keeps the site consistent and user-friendly.
Custom Fields with Advanced Custom Fields
Creating custom fields using the Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) plug-in is a game-changer for WordPress sites. ACF is a very popular tool that provides a straightforward way to add custom fields to your WordPress site, helping you manage dynamic content with ease.
The best part is that it’s free, and from my experience, the free version provides everything one might need for building custom fields without requiring the pro upgrade.
The plug-in allows for adding any kind of field you can imagine. It integrates neatly into the WordPress interface, making it simple for users to create and manage fields. It’s fantastic for tailoring WordPress content to fit specific needs, be it text, images, or videos.
While ACF is my preferred choice due to its robustness and ease of use, another option is Pods. Pods also lets you create custom fields and even custom post types. However, it lacks a business model, which results in less frequent updates and improvements than I would prefer.
Even though it works well, I feel a bit uneasy about its sustainability long-term.
For those considering alternatives, there’s also JetEngine by CrocoBlock. It lets you work with custom fields, create custom post types, and display content within the WordPress Block Editor. It’s priced at £26 for a single site, which provides a comprehensive set of features. Yet, if free solutions are a priority, ACF provides excellent value without additional costs.
Custom Fields and Post Types with Pods
Pods is a nifty tool that I’ve used for many years to create custom fields and post types in WordPress. It’s a free plugin, which means there’s no premium version to rely on for updates or financial backing.
Unfortunately, this can result in fewer updates and enhancements over time, as the team behind it isn’t earning a living from it. Despite these challenges, Pods remains a popular choice among many users.
Key Features:
- Create Custom Fields: Pods allows me to create custom fields effortlessly.
- Custom Post Types: It provides the ability to set up custom post types for organising content.
- No Cost Involved: Since it’s free, there isn’t a need to worry about costs, unlike some other plugins.
Even though it’s great at building custom fields and post types, the lack of a business model worries me. If I had a chance to choose again, I might have leaned towards alternatives with more robust development and funding.
Despite that, for those who choose to use it, Pods performs well for its intended functions.
Other alternatives include plugins like Advanced Custom Fields, which also offers a pro version for additional features, and JetEngine from CrocoBlock.
CrocoBlock’s Jet Engine Plugin
The Jet Engine Plugin by CrocoBlock is a versatile tool I’ve examined for anyone working with WordPress, offering functionality for both Elementor and the Gutenberg block builder.
With Jet Engine, you can easily create custom fields and post types, an essential aspect for building dynamic websites. This plugin allows for seamless integration of dynamic content within your website design, which is crucial for a streamlined and consistent look across pages.
The cost is £26 for a single site, a reasonable price for the extensive features it offers. These include tools to create custom post types and fields, as well as incorporate dynamic content into your WordPress site effortlessly. Jet Engine truly simplifies the process and offers a comprehensive solution all in one place. It is particularly beneficial for those who want to avoid managing multiple plugins to achieve similar functionality.
Cost Analysis and Revenue Strategies
I’ve had a lot of experience with dynamic content tools, and they can really change the way you create websites by allowing more flexibility. For those who are looking into building dynamic websites, understanding the pricing of different tools is essential. Here’s a comparison of some popular options:
Plugin Pricing
-
Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)
- Free Version: ACF offers a free version that is very popular and covers most needs.
- Pro Version: £38 per year for a single site or £193 for an unlimited licence. I’ve never needed the Pro version because the free version meets my requirements.
-
Pods
- Free: Pods is entirely free, but this comes with no revenue model or frequent updates. While it’s great for creating custom fields and post types, its development has slowed.
-
JetEngine by Crocoblock
- Pricing: £20 for a single site. This tool is part of Crocoblock’s offerings and supports both Elementor and the Gutenberg block builder. It’s comprehensive, covering custom fields, post types, and content display within the block builder.
Business Considerations
When selecting a tool, consider the business model behind it.
- Advanced Custom Fields has a solid revenue strategy with its Pro version, which likely ensures ongoing support and updates.
- Pods lacks a business model, causing delays in updates and improvements. Although it’s free, I’m a bit worried about its long-term viability.
- JetEngine is part of a broader suite of tools by Crocoblock, which seems to be expanding support for the WordPress block builder.
Using these tools can significantly simplify managing websites with dynamic content. But it’s crucial to weigh the costs and benefits, ensuring they align with your website’s goals and the level of support and updates you need.
Effects for WordPress Block Builder
WordPress block builders now support dynamic content, which is exciting for creating flexible, easy-to-manage websites.
This feature was common in paid page builders like Divi, Elementor, and Beaver Builder, but now it’s available with WordPress blocks too.
I want to share a personal example from my own business. I have a product called Presto Player, a video player for WordPress. To show its features, I’ve created separate pages for each major feature.
These pages use the same layout, but key details change like the heading, key text, and video. Manually tweaking each page becomes a hassle, especially when I need to adjust the layout.
Dynamic Content Benefits:
- Easy updates: Change the structure once, apply it everywhere.
- Consistency across pages.
- Saves time compared to manual updates.
Key Components:
-
Custom Fields: Tools like Advanced Custom Fields and Pods help create these.
Advanced Custom Fields is free with an optional pro upgrade, while Pods is always free but concerns me due to its lack of updates.
-
Templates: Craft a main template that these custom fields fit into.
-
Content Display: Display fields within the templates.
Croco Block’s Jet Engine is worth exploring. It works with both Elementor and Gutenberg, and lets you create and display custom fields and post types for £20 per site.