If you’re working on a WordPress website and want to add custom data fields easily without complex coding, then Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) is a must-have plugin. It allows you to control your content in a structured and efficient way. In this article, we’ll discuss why you should use ACF, when to use it, its advantages and disadvantages, and which page builders support it.
Table of Contents
What is ACF, and Why Should You Use It?
ACF is a WordPress plugin that lets you add custom fields to any post type. For example, if you have a real estate website, instead of manually writing property details in the content section, you can create structured fields for property size, price, number of rooms, location, images, and status.
Why Use ACF?
- Better Content Management – Instead of relying on the default WordPress editor, you can create and display custom fields in a way that suits your needs.
- Useful for Developers & Website Owners – Whether you are a developer building custom websites or a business owner managing content, ACF simplifies the process.
- Compatible with Page Builders – Many page builders support ACF, so you don’t need to write code to display the data.
When Should You Use ACF?
The use of ACF depends on your website’s requirements. Here are some common scenarios where ACF is beneficial:
✅ When You Have Repetitive Data That Needs Organization
Examples include real estate listings, business directories, educational platforms with courses, or any website with structured content.
✅ When You Need Greater Control Over Content Layout
For example, if you’re designing a custom website template, ACF allows you to add featured images, background colors, icons, or even custom videos for each post.
✅ For Business Websites or Online Stores
You can use ACF to add custom product reviews, buttons, or additional details beyond what WooCommerce provides.
✅ When Using Page Builders
ACF integrates with most visual page builders, allowing you to use custom fields in your design without coding.
Advantages of ACF
✨ Easy to Use – You can create custom fields directly from the WordPress dashboard without writing code.
✨ Supports Various Field Types – Text, images, videos, links, buttons, repeatable fields, Google Maps, and more.
✨ Compatible with Most Themes & Plugins – Works seamlessly with most WordPress themes and plugins.
✨ Full Control Over Data Display – You can display fields using PHP code or integrate them with page builders.
✨ Free & Pro Versions Available – The free version covers most needs, while the Pro version includes advanced features like repeater fields and flexible content.
Disadvantages of ACF
❌ Not Ideal for Large Databases – If your website has thousands of daily users and requires extensive database queries, performance might be affected.
❌ Pro Version is Expensive – Some essential features like repeater fields require the paid version, which is not cheap.
❌ Basic PHP Knowledge Needed for Advanced Customization – If you’re not using a page builder, displaying fields may require some coding knowledge.
Which Page Builders Support ACF?
One of ACF’s biggest advantages is its compatibility with popular page builders:
✅ Bricks Builder – Excellent integration with ACF for easy data display.
✅ Elementor – Allows you to display custom fields using Dynamic Tags.
✅ Divi – Supports ACF but requires additional setup.
✅ Oxygen Builder – Provides strong ACF integration for advanced designs.
✅ Beaver Builder – Works with ACF but with fewer features compared to Elementor or Bricks.
Conclusion
If you want to manage your website content efficiently and add custom fields without complications, ACF is the perfect solution. Whether you are a developer or a website owner, it saves time and effort—especially when using page builders like Elementor or Bricks.