Hello everyone,
I have been using React and Node.js for years to build various webapps primarily for personal projects (I will graduate in computer science in July), and occasionally I have to make websites for someone else (showcase websites or a little more) and I’ve always used Hugo + NetlifyCMS (so a static approach), essentially developing from scratch or using templates for clients with less budget.
In recent months I have realized how little scalable this stack is and how much time I could save by using WordPress (despite always despising it), and I have tinkered with it several times but have never been able to create something decent. It feels like I’m not in full control of everything and it seems unnecessarily complex, but at the same time for anything a bit special, another plugin is needed.
Yet, I see that many expert developers also use it for all the websites they sell, how is this possible? Has anyone found themselves in a similar situation?
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You’re going to want to dive into the coding involved with theme and plugin development. Everything you’re missing is there, and you don’t have to be very fluent in PHP, but obviously it wouldn’t hurt.
Also if you’re not already familiar you’re going to want to get to know a plugin called Advanced Custom Fields. It’s very useful when adding custom functionality to WordPress utilizing your own code as opposed to someone else’s plugin.
WordPress has bad press because people often misuse it. If you build a corporate site with a dozen bad coded plugins on a $1/mo hosting your site will be slow.
If you want full control you can go two routes: Site editor or 100% custom coding. I use both depending on the client and the budget. Explore with Elementor, Oxygen Builder or Generatepress + Gutemberg and check if it works for you.
You can also build your own themes starting with a boilerplate theme like Sage or so and build from it.
Either way, when you find an obstacle you can either code your way out or build a plugin depending on your time, budget and expertise.
In my most recent project I found myself the most optimal way was to build the site on Elementor and then code my own widgets in order to prevent third party functionality that would bloat the site.
Study and
These posts make it clear just how badly we need Laracasts for WordPress.