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Custom Fields Integration

AI Section Builder integrates seamlessly with WordPress custom fields, allowing you to create dynamic, data-driven content that can be managed by team members without technical expertise. This guide explains how custom fields work with the plugin and how to leverage them for more flexible content management.

Understanding Custom Fields Integration​

What Are Custom Fields?​

Custom fields allow you to add additional data to your WordPress pages beyond the standard title and content. With AI Section Builder:

  • Section data is stored as custom fields automatically
  • No technical knowledge required to manage content
  • Full WordPress compatibility with themes and other plugins
  • Easy backup and migration with standard WordPress tools

How AI Section Builder Uses Custom Fields​

Automatic management:

  • Each section's content is saved as custom field data
  • WordPress handles all the database storage and retrieval
  • Your content integrates with WordPress backup systems
  • Other plugins can access section data if needed

Benefits for you:

  • Reliable data storage using WordPress standards
  • Easy content migration between sites
  • Standard WordPress backup includes all your sections
  • Developer-friendly for custom integrations

Content Management Through Custom Fields​

Page-Level Management​

Every page with AI Section Builder content has:

  • Section configuration data stored as custom fields
  • Global settings that affect all sections
  • Page-specific overrides when needed
  • Content history through WordPress revisions

User Role Integration​

Different user roles can:

  • Editors: Full access to edit section content
  • Authors: Can edit sections on their own pages
  • Contributors: Can draft section content for review
  • Custom roles: Can be configured for specific section access

Content workflow:

  • Draft sections for review before publishing
  • Collaborate on content with team members
  • Track changes through WordPress revision system
  • Maintain content approval processes

Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) Integration​

Compatible ACF Features​

If you use Advanced Custom Fields plugin:

  • AI Section Builder works alongside ACF without conflicts
  • ACF fields can be added to the same pages as AI sections
  • Both systems use WordPress custom fields appropriately
  • Data can be exported/imported together

Using ACF with Section Content​

Complementary approach:

  • Use AI Section Builder for main page content sections
  • Use ACF for page-specific data (contact info, specifications, etc.)
  • Combine both for comprehensive page management
  • Maintain separation for clear content organization

Example workflow:

Page Header (ACF field) → Company name, tagline
Hero Section (AI Section Builder) → Main value proposition
Features Section (AI Section Builder) → Service highlights  
Contact Info (ACF fields) → Address, phone, hours

Developer Integration​

Accessing Section Data Programmatically​

For developers who want to access section content:

// Get all section data for a page
$sections = get_post_meta($post_id, '_aisb_sections', true);

// Get global settings
$global_settings = get_option('aisb_global_settings');

// Check if page has AI sections
if (get_post_meta($post_id, '_aisb_has_sections', true)) {
    // Page uses AI Section Builder
}

Custom Integration Examples​

Display section count:

function get_aisb_section_count($post_id) {
    $sections = get_post_meta($post_id, '_aisb_sections', true);
    return is_array($sections) ? count($sections) : 0;
}

Check for specific section types:

function has_pricing_section($post_id) {
    $sections = get_post_meta($post_id, '_aisb_sections', true);
    if (is_array($sections)) {
        foreach ($sections as $section) {
            if ($section['type'] === 'pricing') {
                return true;
            }
        }
    }
    return false;
}

Backup and Migration​

WordPress Standard Backups​

Your section content is included in:

  • Standard WordPress exports (Tools → Export)
  • Plugin backups like UpdraftPlus, BackWPup
  • Database backups through hosting providers
  • Site migration tools like All-in-One WP Migration

Manual Data Export​

For specific section data:

  1. Go to Tools → Export in WordPress admin
  2. Select "Pages" and choose your pages with sections
  3. Download the export file (includes all custom fields)
  4. Import on new site using Tools → Import

Migration Best Practices​

When moving sites:

  1. Export content with standard WordPress tools
  2. Note your global settings from AI Section Builder → Settings
  3. Install AI Section Builder on the new site first
  4. Import content using WordPress importer
  5. Reconfigure global settings to match your original site

Database Structure​

How Section Data Is Stored​

Each page with sections has:

  • _aisb_sections: Array of all section data
  • _aisb_has_sections: Boolean flag for quick checking
  • _aisb_last_modified: Timestamp for change tracking
  • _aisb_version: Plugin version for compatibility

Global settings stored as:

  • aisb_global_settings: Colors, fonts, and global options
  • aisb_plugin_version: For upgrade management
  • aisb_user_preferences: User-specific settings

Database Size Considerations​

Typical storage requirements:

  • Simple page (5 sections): ~5-10KB of custom field data
  • Complex page (15 sections): ~25-50KB of custom field data
  • Global settings: ~2-5KB total
  • Very efficient compared to most page builders

Performance and Optimization​

Custom Field Performance​

AI Section Builder optimizes performance by:

  • Efficient data structure minimizes database queries
  • Lazy loading for section content when possible
  • Caching compatibility with WordPress caching plugins
  • Minimal database footprint compared to alternatives

Caching Considerations​

Compatible with caching plugins:

  • W3 Total Cache: Automatically handles custom field caching
  • WP Rocket: Includes custom field data in page caching
  • LiteSpeed Cache: Optimizes custom field queries
  • Most caching plugins: Work seamlessly with section data

Troubleshooting Custom Fields​

Common Issues​

Sections not saving:

  • Check WordPress user permissions for editing custom fields
  • Verify no conflicting plugins interfering with custom fields
  • Ensure adequate server memory for large section configurations
  • Check for JavaScript errors that might prevent saving

Data missing after migration:

  • Verify custom fields were included in export/import
  • Check that AI Section Builder is activated on new site
  • Confirm global settings were migrated or reconfigured
  • Test with a simple test page to isolate issues

Performance issues:

  • Check for plugins that scan all custom fields excessively
  • Monitor database queries if site is slow
  • Consider caching plugins for better performance
  • Review server resources if handling many pages with sections

Diagnostic Tools​

Check section data:

// Add to functions.php temporarily for debugging
function debug_aisb_data($post_id) {
    $sections = get_post_meta($post_id, '_aisb_sections', true);
    echo '<pre>' . print_r($sections, true) . '</pre>';
}

Verify plugin status:

  • Check WordPress admin → Plugins for AI Section Builder activation
  • Review plugin version in WordPress admin
  • Test with default theme to isolate theme conflicts
  • Deactivate other plugins temporarily to test for conflicts

Security Considerations​

Data Protection​

AI Section Builder automatically:

  • Sanitizes all input before saving to custom fields
  • Validates data types to prevent malicious content
  • Uses WordPress standards for data security
  • Follows WordPress nonces for form security

User Permissions​

Respects WordPress user capabilities:

  • Only users who can edit_posts can modify sections
  • Custom capabilities can be added by developers
  • Integrates with membership and role management plugins
  • Follows WordPress security best practices

Advanced Customization​

Custom Field Hooks​

For developers extending functionality:

// Filter section data before saving
add_filter('aisb_before_save_sections', 'custom_section_processing');

// Action after sections are saved
add_action('aisb_after_save_sections', 'custom_post_save_action');

// Modify section rendering data
add_filter('aisb_render_section_data', 'custom_render_modifications');

Integration with Other Plugins​

Works well with:

  • Yoast SEO: Section content is included in SEO analysis
  • WPML: Custom fields can be translated
  • Gravity Forms: Can embed forms in sections
  • WooCommerce: Sections work on product pages

Best Practices​

Content Organization​

Recommended approach:

  • Use AI Section Builder for main page content
  • Keep custom fields for page-specific metadata
  • Maintain clear separation between different data types
  • Document your content structure for team members

Team Workflow​

For teams using section content:

  1. Train team members on section editing
  2. Establish content approval processes if needed
  3. Use WordPress revisions to track changes
  4. Back up content regularly with standard tools

Performance Optimization​

Best practices:

  • Avoid excessive numbers of sections per page (15+ may slow editing)
  • Optimize images before adding to sections
  • Use caching plugins for better performance
  • Monitor site speed as you add content

Next Steps​

Now that you understand custom fields integration:

  1. Practice editing section content and observe how it integrates with WordPress
  2. Learn about Database Integration for deeper technical understanding
  3. Explore Performance Optimization for faster loading
  4. Review your backup strategy to ensure section content is protected

Need More Help?​

Remember: AI Section Builder leverages WordPress's robust custom field system to provide reliable, secure, and future-proof content management that integrates seamlessly with the WordPress ecosystem!