Creating Smart Dynamic Content in WordPress

Key points: 

• WordPress dynamic content automatically updates across your site based on the rules you set.
• Three main implementation methods:
  • Custom code (most flexible, requires developer).
  • ACF (visual builder, middle ground). Provides the best balance of power and ease of use.
  • Plugins (easiest but limited).
• Performance optimization is crucial – use caching, image optimization, and pagination.
• ⚡️ Bottom line: You can easily create sophisticated dynamic content using ACF’s visual builder while maintaining good site performance.

Have you ever spent hours updating the same content across multiple pages of your WordPress site? Or wished you could show different content to different visitors without diving into complex code? Many WordPress users find themselves stuck between basic static pages and the seemingly complicated world of dynamic content.

The good news is that creating dynamic, personalized content in WordPress doesn’t have to be a technical nightmare. While various methods are available, from limited plugin solutions to complex coding, Advanced Custom Fields (ACF^®) bridges this gap perfectly, offering a visual approach that both beginners and professionals can use. 

This guide covers everything you need to transform your WordPress site from a basic content repository into a powerful, adaptive platform. You’ll discover practical solutions for implementing dynamic content, complete with real-world examples that demonstrate exactly how to put these concepts into action. 

Why dynamic content matters for WordPress websites

Instead of showing the same static information to everyone, dynamic content creates personalized experiences that respond to your visitors’ needs and behaviors.

But what really makes content dynamic? While static content stays the same until someone manually updates it, dynamic content adapts automatically. This could be as simple as showing different welcome messages based on time of day, or as sophisticated as displaying product recommendations based on browsing history.

Dynamic content offers several potential benefits to website owners: 

• Content updates happen automatically across multiple pages.
• Time spent on manual updates drops significantly.
• User engagement increases through personalized experiences.
• Conversion rates improve with targeted messaging.
• Content stays fresh and relevant without constant maintenance. 

Popular dynamic content examples

Dynamic content isn’t just for large corporations or tech companies; it’s valuable for virtually any WordPress website. Here are some practical examples:

• Team and staff directories: Modern organizations need flexible staff profiles that display current roles, contact information, and areas of expertise. When team members switch departments or update their information, dynamic content ensures these changes appear everywhere, eliminating inconsistencies across your website.
• Location-based service pages: Businesses serving multiple regions can display location-specific services, pricing, and contact details automatically. Visitors see relevant information for their area without having to navigate through irrelevant content or jump between location-specific pages.
• Product and service catalogs: Consider a car dealership’s inventory system. Dynamic content ensures that when vehicles sell, prices change, or new models arrive, this information updates instantly across the website. This automatic synchronization maintains accuracy and builds trust with potential customers.

Methods for adding dynamic content to WordPress sites

1. Purpose-built plugins

Specialized plugins like JetEngine and Dynamic.OOO offer ready-made tools for specific dynamic content needs. These plugins handle everything from conditional visibility rules to personalized content displays and form builder integration. While they provide quick solutions, they might include features you don’t need, adding unnecessary weight to your site. They can also limit your flexibility when you need more precise control over your dynamic content.

2. Custom code

Using WordPress’s native functions gives you complete control over your dynamic content. This approach lets you create exact database queries, build custom template structures, and define precise dynamic behavior. The trade-off? You’ll need development expertise to implement and maintain custom code solutions effectively.

3. ACF

ACF offers a good balance between functionality and ease of use. Its visual field builder lets you create structured dynamic content through WordPress’s familiar interface, while its template functions make implementation straightforward. This approach works particularly well for organizing team member profiles with standardized biographical information, product catalogs requiring consistent specification formats, and any content types needing specific data organization.

Thanks to its visual interface, you can set up complex dynamic content structures without extensive coding knowledge. Plus, ACF’s template functions provide the flexibility to customize how your dynamic content is displayed, making it ideal for both simple and complex projects.

How to build dynamic content with Advanced Custom Fields

Now, let’s build a dynamic car showcase where visitors can select and view different vehicles. This example is great for dealerships or automotive websites, and you can adapt these same principles for any type of content. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Create a new custom post type for cars. Head to ACF > Post Types and click Add New. Name it “Cars” and “Car” (singular). 

2. Set up your custom fields by going to ACF > Field Groups > Add New. Name your field group “Car details.” 

3. Add a Number field labeled “car price” and an Image field labeled “car image.” 

4. Under Location Rules, set it to show if Post Type equals Car.

5. Add some test content through the WordPress dashboard. Go to Cars > Add New, create a title with the car’s name, fill in the price, upload an image, and publish. Create several car entries to properly test your showcase.

6. Create a new file called page-car-showcase.php in your theme folder. This template will handle the display of your car showcase. Add the following code:

<?php
/**
 * Template Name: Car Showcase
 */
get_header();
$cars = get_posts([
    'post_type'     => 'car',
    'posts_per_page' => -1,
    'orderby'       => 'title',
    'order'         => 'ASC'
]);
?>
<style>
    /* Minimal styling */
    .car-showcase-container { max-width:800px; margin:0 auto; padding:20px; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; }
    .car-showcase-container form { margin-bottom:30px; display:flex; align-items:center; }
    .car-showcase-container label { font-weight:bold; margin-right:10px; }
    .car-showcase-container select { padding:8px; font-size:16px; }
    .selected-car-details { border:1px solid #ddd; padding:20px; border-radius:8px; background:#f9f9f9; margin-top:20px; box-shadow:0 4px 6px rgba(0,0,0,.05); }
    .selected-car-details h2 { font-size:28px; margin-bottom:20px; color:#333; }
    .selected-car-details .car-image { width:400px; height:300px; margin:0 auto 20px; overflow:hidden; border-radius:8px; text-align:center; }
    .selected-car-details .car-image img { width:100%; height:100%; object-fit:cover; }
    .selected-car-details p { font-size:20px; margin-bottom:10px; color:#333; }
    .car-description { font-size:16px; line-height:1.5; color:#555; }
</style>
<div class="car-showcase-container">
    <form method="GET">
        <label for="car_id">Select a Car:</label>
        <select name="car_id" id="car_id" onchange="this.form.submit()">
            <option value="">-- Select --</option>
            <?php foreach ($cars as $car): ?>
                <option value="<?= $car->ID ?>" <?= selected($_GET['car_id'] ?? '', $car->ID, false) ?>>
                    <?= esc_html($car->post_title) ?>
                </option>
            <?php endforeach; ?>
        </select>
    </form>

    <?php
    if (!empty($_GET['car_id']) && ($selected = get_post((int)$_GET['car_id'])) && $selected->post_type === 'car'):
        $img   = get_field('car_image', $selected->ID);
        $price = get_field('car_price', $selected->ID);
    ?>
        <div class="selected-car-details">
            <h2><?= esc_html($selected->post_title) ?></h2>
            <?php if ($img): ?>
                <div class="car-image">
                    <img src="<?= esc_url($img['url']) ?>" alt="<?= esc_attr($selected->post_title) ?>">
                </div>
            <?php endif; ?>
            <?php if ($price): ?>
                <p><strong>Price:</strong> $<?= esc_html($price) ?></p>
            <?php endif; ?>
            <div class="car-description">
                <?= apply_filters('the_content', $selected->post_content) ?>
            </div>
        </div>
    <?php endif; ?>
</div>
<?php get_footer(); ?>

7. Create a new page in WordPress through Pages > Add New. Give it a title like “Car Showcase,” and select “Car Showcase” as the template in the Page Attributes panel.

8. Publish the page and verify that it works.

Your car showcase is now ready. Visitors can select different cars from the dropdown, and the page will display the corresponding details automatically. While this example reloads the page when selecting a car, developers can enhance it with AJAX for a smoother experience.

Pro tip: Consider adding more fields like mileage, year, or features to create a more comprehensive car listing system. ACF makes it easy to expand this foundation as your needs grow.

Optimizing dynamic content for performance

Your dynamic content should run smoothly without slowing down your WordPress site. Here’s how to maintain speed while delivering personalized experiences.

Caching plugins work differently with dynamic content than with static pages. Most caching solutions let you cache your site’s framework while keeping specific sections dynamic. You can cache your header and footer while maintaining live updates for elements like product prices or inventory counts.

For dynamic featured images and galleries, use WordPress’s built-in image sizing options. Configure your thumbnail dimensions in Settings > Media, and add plugins like Ewww Image Optimizer to compress images automatically without quality loss.

Here are some more proven strategies to keep your dynamic content running efficiently:

• Display 10-15 items per page and add pagination for longer lists. 
• Enable lazy loading for images and content below the scroll. 
• Limit dynamic elements to sections where they add value.

Want to check your site’s performance? Google PageSpeed Insights shows exactly where your dynamic content might create bottlenecks. This free tool helps you spot and fix issues before visitors notice them.

Start building dynamic WordPress content today

Dynamic content has changed how WordPress websites deliver value to visitors. What used to require complex coding or multiple plugins now happens through visual interfaces. Instead of updating content across multiple pages manually, you can set up systems that handle changes automatically.

While setting up dynamic content needs some initial planning, ACF’s visual field builder makes the process straightforward. You can start with simple implementations like user-specific greetings or location-based content, then expand to more sophisticated features when you feel more comfortable using the plugin. With over thirty field types included (plus hundreds of user-created) and seamless block editor integration, you have the flexibility to build exactly what your site needs.

Ready to get started? Install the free version of ACF and follow our car showcase tutorial. You’ll quickly see how dynamic content can streamline your WordPress site management. 

When you’re ready to take your dynamic content further, upgrade to ACF PRO (starting at $49/year) for advanced features like repeater fields and flexible content layouts that make content management even more efficient.