Craft CMS is highly favored by developers due to its flexibility and versatility. Unlike other CMS platforms that can be restrictive and complex, Craft CMS offers a more intuitive and streamlined approach to creating and managing custom websites with ease.
One of the main benefits of Craft CMS is the developer experience, which is evident in the well-documented codebase, extensive API, and support for modern development workflows like Git and Composer. Also, it has a simple and intuitive UI, making it easy for developers to manage content and assets on the back-end.
In this article, I’ll tell you everything about Craft CMS, from its developer-friendly approach to learning resources available for developers interested in using it for web development.
Craft CMS: A Developer-Friendly Platform
Craft CMS offers a wide range of features that make it a popular choice for web developers and content creators. These include a powerful control panel, user management tools, a flexible content modeling system, customizable fields, and support for multi-site installations.
It is built on modern web development tools and workflows, making it a developer-friendly platform that supports modern development practices like Git and Composer. Its clean and well-documented codebase and extensive API provide developers the flexibility to build custom solutions quickly and efficiently.
It is available in both open-source and commercial versions, with the latter offering additional features and support options. The platform has been used to build websites for many clients, including large corporations, non-profits, and small businesses.
Craft CMS vs Drupal CMS vs October CMS
Here is a comparison table that highlights some of the key differences between Craft CMS, Drupal, and October CMS:
| Feature | Craft CMS | Drupal | October CMS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developer Features | Highly developer-friendly with Twig templating, customizable API, and content modeling. | Highly developer-friendly with Twig templating, customizable API, and content modeling. | Developer-friendly, but less advanced than Craft CMS and Drupal. |
| Ease of Use & Accessibility | User-friendly with an intuitive interface and easy setup. | Less user-friendly but extensive documentation. | User-friendly with a simple interface and easy setup. |
| Scalability and Performance | Highly scalable with caching, optimization, and other performance-tuning techniques. | Highly scalable with caching, optimization, and other performance-tuning techniques. | Highly scalable with caching, optimization, and other performance-tuning techniques. |
| Security | Secure with built-in security features. | Secure with built-in security features. | Secure with built-in security features. |
| Content Management | Flexible content management with custom fields and content types. | Flexible content management with custom fields and content types. | Flexible content management with custom fields and content types. |
| Third-party Integrations | Robust ecosystem with numerous integrations and plugins. | Robust ecosystem with numerous integrations and plugins. | Limited ecosystem with fewer integrations and plugins. |
| Price | Paid with optional premium features. | Free and open-source. | Free and open-source. |
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Reasons Why Developers Prefer Craft CMS
Craft CMS offers a wide range of features, making it a popular choice among developers. Here are some top features:
Content Modeling
Source: Content in Craft CMS
Craft CMS has a powerful content modeling system that allows developers to create custom content structures and fields, making managing complex content and data easier.
The content modeling system in Craft CMS allows developers to create complex content structures and relationships, making it easier to manage and display content on the website or web application. The system’s flexibility also means that it can be adapted to meet the specific needs of different projects.
Craft CMS uses a hierarchical structure of Sections and Entries to organize content. Sections represent the different types of content on the website.
Moreover, Developers can create custom Fields to define the content within each Section and Entry. Different fields, such as text, rich text, assets, categories, or matrix, can be used with additional settings such as validation rules and default values.
Twig Templates
Source: Craft CMS
Twig allows developers to create and extend a base template with child templates, making it easier to reuse code and maintain consistency across the website.
Twig provides a range of logic statements such as if/else, for, and while, making it easier to create dynamic templates. Twig is highly extensible, allowing developers to create custom filters, functions, and tags to extend the functionality of the templating engine.
Twig filters and variables allow developers to modify or manipulate data within a template and access data within a template.
Front-End Development
Source: Dev documentation
Craft CMS is designed with developers in mind, with a clean and well-documented codebase, a growing community of developers, and a dedicated support team.
Craft CMS has a large and growing ecosystem of plugins and extensions, making it easier for developers to extend the platform’s functionality and add new features.
Moreover, the active community of developers and users share knowledge, provide support, and contribute to the platform’s development.
Sites and Location
Source: multi-site documentation
Craft CMS supports multi-site installations, making it easier for developers to manage multiple websites from one installation.
Craft CMS is highly flexible and customizable, with built-in support for localization, allowing developers to create websites and applications easily translated into multiple languages.
Security
Source: Securing Craft
Craft CMS has built-in security features such as password hashing, two-factor authentication, access control, and CSRF protection to ensure that websites and web applications built with the platform are secure.
However, like any software platform, the security of Craft CMS also depends on how it is configured and used. Site administrators and developers must follow best practices for securing websites and web applications built with Craft CMS, such as using strong passwords, keeping the software up-to-date, and regularly monitoring security threats.
Localization
Source: Localization Guided
Craft CMS has built-in support for localization, allowing developers to create websites and applications that can be easily translated into multiple languages. Craft CMS provides a translation management interface that allows site administrators to manage translations and track progress.
The built-in localization support and customizable language settings in Craft CMS make it easy for developers to create multilingual websites and applications accessible to a global audience.
Scalability
Source: Scaling Craft
Craft CMS is a highly scalable platform that can handle websites and web applications of any size. Craft use features such as caching, load balancing, asset management, and content delivery networks (CDNs) to allow developers to extend the platform with custom functionality.
Overall, the modular architecture and customizable nature of Craft CMS make it a highly scalable platform that can be optimized to handle websites and web applications of any size, allowing developers to build websites and applications that can grow and evolve over time as their needs change.
API
Source: API Class Reference
Craft CMS provides a robust and flexible API (Application Programming Interface) that allows developers to build custom integrations, automate tasks, and access content programmatically. The API is based on the popular GraphQL query language, which allows developers to retrieve data from Craft CMS in a structured, efficient manner.
Craft CMS API provides developers with a powerful toolset, including GraphQL-based, customizability, access to content, authentication, and custom queries for building custom integrations and automating tasks within their Craft CMS projects. The API is valuable for any Craft CMS project, with flexibility, customization options, and built-in security features.
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Job Roles for Craft CMS Development Team
Craft CMS developers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining websites and web applications using the Craft CMS platform. They work closely with project managers, designers, and other developers to ensure that websites and web applications meet client requirements and industry standards.
Here is a detailed job description for some of the key roles involved in Craft CMS development:
Craft CMS Developer
- Develop and maintain websites and web applications using Craft CMS
- Build custom plugins and modules to extend Craft CMS functionality
- Create and modify templates using Twig templating engine
- Implement responsive design and optimize websites for performance and scalability
- Ensure code is clean, efficient, and maintainable using best practices
- Troubleshoot and debug issues as they arise
- Collaborate with other developers, designers, and project managers to meet project requirements.
Frontend Developer
- Build and implement website designs using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Ensure designs are responsive and optimized for various devices and screen sizes
- Work with designers to ensure website designs are implemented accurately and effectively
- Ensure website designs comply with industry standards and accessibility guidelines
- Collaborate with backend developers to integrate frontend design with Craft CMS functionality
Backend Developer
- Build and maintain Craft CMS plugins and modules using PHP
- Optimize Craft CMS performance and scalability using caching and other techniques
- Ensure Craft CMS code complies with industry standards and best practices
- Troubleshoot and debug issues as they arise
- Collaborate with frontend developers to integrate frontend design with Craft CMS functionality
Project Manager
- Plan and manage Craft CMS development projects from inception to launch
- Work closely with clients to identify project requirements and establish project goals
- Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources
- Collaborate with developers and designers to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget
- Communicate project progress to clients and stakeholders
- Ensure project deliverables meet industry standards and client requirements
The roles involved in Craft CMS development require a deep understanding of web development technologies, as well as a commitment to quality, efficiency, and collaboration.
A successful Craft CMS development team will have a mix of frontend and backend developers, project managers, and designers who work together to deliver high-quality websites and web applications to clients.
Average Salary for Craft CMS Developers
The average salary for Craft CMS developers can vary depending on several factors such as location, experience, skill level, and job requirements.
- The starting salary of a freshie Craft CMS Developer is around $99,300 /yr.
- With an increasing number of years in industry and experience, the annual salary goes around $110,000- $118,756.
- An in-demand Senior Craft CMS developer can demand a salary of up to $186,000 a year.
Best Platforms for Learning Craft CMS
Many resources are available for developers looking to learn Craft CMS. The best option depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here are some of the best learning platforms:
Craft CMS Documentation
Source: Craft CMS Documentation
The official Craft CMS documentation is a comprehensive resource that covers everything from getting started to more advanced topics such as templating, plugin development, and content modeling.
Craft CMS has extensive documentation on its website, which can be an excellent resource for learning how to use the platform. The Craft CMS documentation is well-organized and easy to navigate, and it includes many examples and code snippets to help you understand how to use the platform. Additionally, Craft CMS has an active community forum where you can ask questions and get help from other platform developers.
CraftQuest
Source: CraftQuest
CraftQuest is an online learning platform focused on Craft CMS. It offers a variety of resources for developers and designers, including video courses, tutorials, and a community forum. The platform is well-designed and easy to use, and the community is friendly and supportive.
CraftQuest offers a variety of training courses, tutorials, and live workshops for developers of all skill levels. Topics include plugin development, template design, and best practices for using Craft CMS.
CraftQuest is an excellent resource for developers and designers who want to learn more about Craft CMS. Additionally, CraftQuest offers monthly and yearly subscription options, making it an affordable choice for developers who want to continue learning and growing their Craft CMS skills.
Pluralsight
Source: Pluralsight
Pluralsight is an online learning platform offering developers a wide range of courses. They have several courses on Craft CMS, including an introductory course on getting started with the platform.
Some of the popular Craft CMS courses on Pluralsight include:
- Getting Started with Craft CMS
- Craft CMS 3 Fundamentals
- Craft CMS 3: Plugin Development Fundamentals
- Craft CMS 3: Advanced Content Modeling
Pluralsight is a great platform for developers looking to learn Craft CMS. The courses are well-structured, with clear explanations and examples, and the platform offers a variety of tools including quizzes and assessments.
Udemy
Source: Udemy
Udemy is an online learning platform that offers a variety of courses on Craft CMS, ranging from beginner to advanced levels. Courses cover templating, plugin development, and advanced content modeling.
Some popular Craft CMS courses on Udemy include:
- Craft CMS 3: Beginner to Professional by Greggory Diaz
- Craft CMS Essentials by Chris Ruppel
- Craft CMS 3 – Beyond the Basics by Edd Mann
Udemy is a great platform for developers looking to learn Craft CMS. The courses are self-paced and provide a structured way to learn the platform, making it easier to get started and stay motivated.
Craft Community on Discord
Source: Craft CMS Community
Craft CMS community on Discord is a popular chat and voice communication platform that allows users to connect with others in real-time. The Craft CMS Discord server is a place for developers, designers, and users of the platform to connect, ask questions, and share knowledge.
As a member of the Craft CMS Discord server, you’ll have access to several channels dedicated to different topics related to the platform. You can ask questions, share knowledge, and connect with other community members. The Craft CMS Discord community is an excellent resource for developers looking to get involved with the platform and connect with others who are passionate about Craft CMS.
Summary
In conclusion, Craft CMS is an excellent choice for developers who are looking for a flexible, user-friendly content management system that is designed to make building websites and web applications easy and efficient.
Craft CMS offers a wide range of features and tools that make it easy to create custom content models, templates, and plugins, and its intuitive control panel makes it easy to manage your site’s content and settings.
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