Since its foundation, WordPress has come a long way, and one of the most notable advances in recent years has been the release of Gutenberg, the block-based editor. Gutenberg has swiftly become the go-to solution for content creators and developers alike, because to its versatility and user-friendly interface.
But how do you make your own Gutenberg blocks for your WordPress website? In this blog post, we’ll look at other ways to construct Gutenberg blocks, such as writing them from scratch, using the official “create-block” tool, Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), and Metabox.io.
Writing Gutenberg Blocks From Scratch: Writing Gutenberg blocks from scratch can be a gratifying experience for people who like complete control over their code and are familiar with JavaScript and React. This method enables you to design highly customised blocks that are tailored to your individual requirements.
To begin, learn about the Gutenberg Block API, which serves as the foundation for constructing custom blocks. To get the most out of your custom block development, you should also learn JavaScript ESNext, React, and JSX.
The Official “create-block” Application
The WordPress team created the “create-block” tool to make the process of generating custom Gutenberg blocks easier. This command-line application assists you in quickly scaffolding a new block project with all of the necessary files and configurations.
“create-block” is an ideal solution for developers looking for a more streamlined experience without the steep learning curve associated with writing blocks from scratch. You’ll be able to construct bespoke blocks in minutes with the tool.
To begin, you must first install Node.js and npm. Then, simply type “npx @wordpress/create-block” followed by the name of your block to produce a new block project.
Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)
ACF is a popular plugin that allows you to add custom fields for your WordPress content. ACF has grown to incorporate support for custom Gutenberg blocks since the launch of Gutenberg.
This approach appeals to people who are more familiar with PHP than JavaScript. You may design custom Gutenberg blocks without needing to learn JavaScript or React by leveraging the familiar ACF interface.
To begin, make sure you have the ACF Pro plugin installed and activated on your WordPress site. Then, use the “acf_register_block_type()” method to register and define your custom block’s fields.
Metabox.io
Another popular plugin that allows you to create custom fields and custom post types in WordPress is Metabox.io. Metabox.io, like ACF, now includes Gutenberg block support.
Metabox.io’s developer friendly approach makes it a fantastic solution for developers looking for a more accessible way to construct bespoke Gutenberg blocks. The plugin integrates Gutenberg and custom fields seamlessly, allowing you to easily construct and manage blocks.
To begin using Metabox.io for Gutenberg block creation, you must first install and activate the plugin on your WordPress site. Then, use the “rwmb_register_block()” function to register and define your custom block’s fields.
Conclusion
It’s never been easier to create custom Gutenberg blocks in WordPress. Whether you’re an experienced developer or a novice, the alternatives we’ve reviewed here provide varying levels of complexity and flexibility to meet your demands. You’ll be able to create unique and powerful content experiences for your WordPress site by writing blocks from scratch and utilising popular plugins like ACF and Metabox.io. So, unleash the power of Gutenberg and begin creating your unique blocks right away!