Custom Gutenberg Blocks and ACF is a WordPress development service that lets you create bespoke, reusable content sections that clients can easily edit themselves without needing to write code.
It combines WordPress’s built-in block editor, Gutenberg, with ACF (Advanced Custom Fields) to build flexible, user-friendly editing experiences.
1. What are Custom Gutenberg Blocks?
Gutenberg is the default WordPress editor. It allows users to build pages using blocks, such as headings, paragraphs, images, buttons and columns.
Custom Gutenberg blocks are purpose-built blocks designed specifically for a website or business.
For example, instead of manually creating a section every time, an editor could insert a custom block called “Hero Banner” and fill in a few fields.
Example custom block
Hero Banner
Editable fields inside WordPress
- Heading: “Build Your Digital Future”
- Description: A short introduction to the business.
- Button text: “Get Started”
- Button link: Contact page
- Background image: Upload or select an image
A developer creates the block and its design. The client can then update the content through the WordPress editor without changing the underlying code.
2. What is ACF (Advanced Custom Fields)?
Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)
A WordPress plugin that lets developers add structured fields to pages, posts, custom post types and other content.
These fields can include text, images, links, colours, dates, galleries and repeatable content.
For example, a services page could have the following editable fields:
| Field | Example |
|---|---|
| Service title | WordPress Development |
| Description | Bespoke WordPress solutions |
| Icon | Code icon |
| Image | Service illustration |
| Button label | Learn More |
| Button URL | /contact/ |
The client fills in these fields in the WordPress admin area, and the website displays them according to the design created by the developer.
3. How do Gutenberg and ACF work together?
WordPress Gutenberg Editor
The client adds a custom block to a page
ACF Custom Fields
The client enters headings, images, text and links
Developer-built template
PHP, HTML, CSS and JavaScript render the block
Finished website section
A polished, responsive section using the supplied content
ACF also provides a feature for registering custom Gutenberg blocks. Developers can define the block’s fields and implement how the block appears on the front end. ACF Blocks can be developed using PHP templates and, where appropriate, integrated into a Timber/Twig theme.
4. What custom blocks can you build?
Hero sections
Headings, images and calls to action.
Service cards
Reusable service descriptions, icons and links.
Testimonials
Customer quotes, names and photographs.
FAQs and accordions
Expandable questions and answers.
Other possibilities include pricing tables, team profiles, statistics, logo grids, image galleries, case studies and contact banners.
5. Why is this a valuable development service?
- Easy content editing: clients can update their own website without contacting a developer for every small change.
- Consistent design: predefined blocks help maintain the brand’s visual style across pages.
- Reusable components: the same block can be used across multiple pages.
- Structured content: clearly defined fields make information easier to manage.
- Custom functionality: blocks can be tailored to the specific needs of a business.
One important distinction: ACF is not required for every custom Gutenberg block. Developers can also build native Gutenberg blocks using React and the WordPress Block API. ACF is a popular alternative when structured fields and PHP-based development are a better fit.
6. How this fits with Timber / Twig WordPress Development
The two services complement each other:
| Service | Main purpose |
|---|---|
| Timber / Twig development | Builds the underlying theme and controls how website pages are rendered. |
| Custom Gutenberg Blocks and ACF | Gives clients reusable content sections and an intuitive way to edit them. |
For example, you could build a custom WordPress website using Timber and Twig, then create ACF-powered Gutenberg blocks for the homepage hero, services, testimonials and calls to action.
The result is a bespoke website that developers can maintain efficiently and clients can manage independently.
For your services website: I’d position this offering as “Custom Gutenberg Blocks & ACF Development” and describe it as bespoke, reusable WordPress content blocks that give your team the freedom to edit pages while keeping your website consistent, flexible and on-brand.