If you're looking to add custom content to your WordPress site, but don't know where to start? Look no further! In this blog post, we'll take a deep dive into Meta Box, one of the best plugins for adding custom content like custom post types, taxonomy types, and various field types to your website with ease.
In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at what makes Meta Box so special, and why it's become one of the most popular plugins for custom content creation in WordPress. Whether you're a blogger, a business owner, or a developer, Meta Box offers tools that can help you create a highly engaging and dynamic website that your visitors will love
By the end of this post, you'll have a better understanding of how you can leverage the power of Meta Box to enhance your WordPress site and make it truly unique. So, if you're ready to take your WordPress website to the next level, keep reading to learn more about Meta Box!
Meta Box Introduction
Meta Box is a powerful plugin for WordPress that allows users to add custom content to their website, such as post types, taxonomy types, and various field types. With Meta Box, users can manage any type of data in WordPress, making it an excellent tool for developers to save time and simplify the process of building complex websites.
The plugin has a strong focus on coding quality and performance, and it is designed to be as efficient as possible, without any bloat. It has been around for over 10 years and is used by a large number of active websites, proving its effectiveness and reliability. Whether you are looking to enhance your website's functionality or make customizations, it is the perfect tool for the job.
Meta Box was founded 11 years ago by Anh Tran, it has since grown into a 10-person team of developers and marketers who are passionate about WordPress. With over multiple hundred thousand active websites using the plugin, It helps developers manage any kind of data in WordPress with a focus on coding quality and performance.
The team behind this product also develops other products such as Slim SEO and GretaThemes, with the goal of helping customers grow their businesses and achieve their goals. In short, Meta Box is a reliable and efficient tool for adding custom content to your WordPress website.
Main Features of Meta Box
- Custom Post Types: With Meta Box, you can create custom post types, which are custom content types that you can use to organize your website's content in a meaningful way. For example, if you're running a food blog, you could create a custom post type called "Recipes" that allows you to add and organize your recipes in a way that makes sense for your website.
- Custom Taxonomy Types: Meta Box also lets you create custom taxonomy types, which are like categories and tags for your custom post types. You can use them to further organize your custom post types and make it easier for your visitors to find the content they're looking for. For example, you could create a taxonomy type called "Cuisines" to categorize your recipes by cuisine.
- Custom Field Types: One of the most powerful features of Meta Box is the ability to add custom fields to your content types. You can use custom fields to add extra information to your content, like the cooking time for a recipe, the ingredients, and more. This makes it easy to organize your content and present it in a meaningful way.
- WordPress Multisite Compatible: Meta Box is designed to work seamlessly with both individual and Multisite installations of WordPress, ensuring that your custom content stays consistent across all sites in your network. Whether you're creating a new site or adding content to an existing one, Meta Box has you covered.
- WordPress Import & Export Compatible: Moving to a new site can be a pain, but with Meta Box, you don't have to worry about losing your custom content. The plugin is fully compatible with the WordPress import and export functionality, so you can easily move all of your custom fields, post types, taxonomy types, and other data to your new site without any headaches.
- Gutenberg Compatible: WordPress's new block-based editor, Gutenberg, is a powerful tool for creating and managing content, and Meta Box is designed to work perfectly with it. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just getting started with WordPress, Meta Box gives you the tools you need to build custom content that integrates seamlessly with Gutenberg.
- Custom Field Cloning: If you've ever had to create multiple custom fields with the same configuration, you know how time-consuming it can be. Meta Box's cloning feature lets you replicate custom fields in just a few clicks, so you can save yourself time and effort while still getting the custom content you need.
- Advanced Options for Developers: Meta Box is packed with powerful features for developers, including a large collection of actions and filters that you can use to extend the plugin's functionality and customize it to meet your needs. Whether you're creating custom post types, taxonomies, or custom fields, Meta Box gives you the tools you need to take your WordPress site to the next level.
- Multilingual Support: Meta Box is available in 17 different languages, making it accessible to users all over the world. It's also fully supported by WPML, the most popular multilingual plugin for WordPress, so you can easily translate your custom content into any language you need. With Meta Box, you can create custom content in your own language and share it with a global audience.
- Settings Page: Meta Box offers a comprehensive solution for creating front-end forms, including settings pages. You can design your settings page with various styles and layouts that look like a native WordPress page. You can even integrate your settings page into the Customizer and preview changes in real-time, making customization a breeze.
- Front-end Post & User Profile Forms: With Meta Box, you can create post submission forms on the front-end, with options such as Ajax submission and Google reCaptcha. Additionally, you can also create forms for user profiles, including Login, Register, and Edit Profile.
- Conditional Logic: Meta Box has an advanced conditional logic feature that allows you to control the visibility of forms and fields based on specific conditions. For example, you can show a form only on a specific page, or hide a field based on another field's value. Meta Box supports various conditions and operators, giving you the flexibility to create complex logic.
- Relationships: Creating relationships between posts, terms, and users is a crucial aspect of WordPress development. Meta Box provides a comprehensive solution for managing relationships, with full support for post, taxonomy, and user relationships. The plugin has a custom table for storing relationship data, making it fast and efficient for querying and managing orders.
- Custom Table: When dealing with a large amount of data, saving it in the meta table may result in performance issues. Meta Box has a solution for this problem with its custom table feature. You can create custom tables, map columns to custom fields, and store data in a separate table for optimal performance.
- Front-end Views: The MB Views extension of Meta Box allows you to create custom views on the front end. With Meta Box, you can take the values of fields, customize their parameters, and display them in a template on the front end. This tool is much faster and customizable, allowing you to save time and effort in your development. You can create templates for posts, terms, or users, and choose a specific template for post content or page layout.
Integrations of Meta Box
WordPress Plugins
- Beaver Builder (via Meta Box - Beaver Themer Integrator)
- Elementor (via Meta Box - Elementor Integrator)
- Oxygen Builder (official support from Oxygen Builder since version 3.9 Beta 1)
- Brizy (official support from Brizy)
- Bricks (official support from Bricks)
- Fluent Forms
- WS Form
- Bit Form
- Piotnet Forms
- FacetWP (via Meta Box - FacetWP Integrator)
- FilterWP (official support from FilterWP)
- SearchWP (via Meta Box - SearchWP Integrator)
- GridbuilderWP (official support from GridbuilderWP)
- Piotnet Grid Builder (official support from Piotnet Grid Builder)
- Slim SEO
- Rank Math (via MB Rank Math extension)
- Yoast SEO (via Meta Box for Yoast SEO extension)
- WPML
- Polylang
- Asset CleanUp
- Autoptimize
- EWWW Image Optimizer
- Flying Pages by WP Speed Matters
- Hummingbird
- LiteSpeed Cache
- Smush
- W3 Total Cache
- WP Fastest Cache
- WP Rocket
- WP-Optimize
- Auto Listings
- WordPress Ultimate CSV, XML Importer Pro
- BlogVault
- BuddyBoss
- Click Ranger Pro
- HappyAddons
- Jetpack
- MailOptin
- MonsterInsights
- OptinMonster
- Send Pulse
- SendSMS
- SendX
- WooCommerce
- WPvivid
WordPress Themes
These are the theme shops that use Meta Box to provide extra functionality for their themes.
- GretaThemes
- FitWP
- 7Theme
- aThemes
- Bello (BoldThemes)
- BeTheme
- BIG Border
- bkninja
- BlossomThemes
- Cyberchimps
- Elegant Themes
- FOEVIS
- Grace Themes
- MysteryThemes
- Ninetheme
- Oshine
- Pixelgrade
- Rara Themes
- RealHomes
- Shinetheme
- TagDiv
- Theme Rex
- Themes21.net
- Themeum
- Themovation
- Trucking
- Zemez
Web Hostings
- A2Hosting
- Blue Host
- Cloudways
- DreamHost
- Flywheel
- Hawk Host
- Hostinger
- Kinsta
- Liquid Web
- WPMU Dev
Pricing Structure of Meta Box
Meta Box is a powerful custom content WordPress plugin that offers an all-in-one solution for your website's custom fields and custom data needs. With its three pricing plans as of February 2023, you have the option to choose what's right for you, whether you're a personal user or an agency.
Personal Plans:
- Basic Bundle: $49/year, includes essential plugins for custom fields, support for 1 site, 12 PRO extensions, 1 year of updates and support, and annual renewal.
- Ultimate Bundle: $99/year, includes everything you need for custom fields, support for 3 sites, all PRO extensions, Meta Box All-In-One plugin, 1 year of updates and support, and annual renewal.
- Lifetime Bundle: $299 (one-time), includes lifetime VIP plan for professional users, support for 3 sites, all PRO extensions, Meta Box All-In-One plugin, all solutions, lifetime updates and support, and no renewal.
Agency Plans:
- Basic Bundle: $149/year, includes essential plugins for custom fields, support for unlimited sites, 12 PRO extensions, 1 year of updates and support, and annual renewal.
- Ultimate Bundle: $229/year, includes everything you need for custom fields, support for unlimited sites, all PRO extensions, Meta Box All-In-One plugin, 1 year of updates and support, and annual renewal.
- Lifetime Bundle: $699 (one-time), includes lifetime VIP plan for professional users, support for unlimited sites, all PRO extensions, Meta Box All-In-One plugin, all solutions, lifetime updates and support, and no renewal.
Note: To bundle Meta Box into other products, you must purchase an Agency Plan.
With Meta Box, WordPress site creators can save time building custom fields and custom meta boxes. The core Meta Box plugin is free and performance-oriented, but for more features, there are optional extensions available (free or premium).
Meta Box can be used for personal and client sites, and it's also allowed to be used within themes sold on Themeforest. The software license for extensions is GNU GPL v2+ and can be used for free and commercial products, with the restriction of not including premium extensions in a free product or sharing them publicly.
Meta Box comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a 14-day refund policy, so you have nothing to lose by trying it out! Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting out, Meta Box has options for everyone, and it's all backed by expert support.
PROS of Meta Box
Native-Like User Interface
Meta Box has a user interface that is designed to look and feel like native to WordPress, making it easy and familiar for users to work with. With a native-like interface, you won't feel lost or unsure of what to do.
A Large Number of Field Types
Meta Box supports a variety of field types, including important ones like repeater, group, tab, and relationship, as well as unique field types such as open street maps, background, file upload, custom HTML, key-value, sidebar, and video. With over 40 field types available, you have plenty of options to choose from to meet your specific needs.
Supported Objects
Meta Box works with a variety of objects, including posts (posts, pages, attachments, and all post types), taxonomy terms, user settings, page comments, and even custom Gutenberg blocks. Additionally, it supports front-end forms, so you can collect information directly from your website visitors.
Page Builder Support
If you use popular page builders you'll be happy to know that Meta Box is compatible with popular page builders like Elementor, Beaver Builder, Brizy, and Oxygen Builder making it a versatile solution for building custom websites.
Allowed to Bundle with Other Products
Meta Box can also be used as a library for another theme or plugin, making it a highly versatile option. With support for methods that allow it to be included in another theme or plugin, or with the option to use Composer for bundling with modern themes or plugins, you have plenty of options for how you want to integrate it into your website. Plus, the license management for premium extensions is integrated with Composer, so you'll have the rights you need to use it effectively.
Track Changes of Custom Fields
Meta Box makes it easy to track changes to custom fields, including saving, comparing, and restoring data from revisions. With support for all field types, including groups, you'll be able to see the changes to your fields in each revision with ease.
Update Data Using REST API
Meta Box supports getting and updating data through the REST API, making it easy to access and modify custom field data from posts, pages, custom post types, and terms through the WordPress REST API.
Display Fields in Dashboard Admin Tables
Meta Box makes it easy to display your custom fields in the dashboard admin tables, giving users the ability to show and manage custom field data in an easy-to-use table format. This feature allows you to show your custom fields in the posts, terms, and users lists in the WordPress admin area, and you can even set the column position, make it sortable and/or searchable, and more.
CONS of Meta Box
No User Interface for Free Version
Unfortunately, if you're using the free version of Meta Box, you won't have access to its UI. This means that you'll have to rely on coding to create custom fields. However, if you upgrade to the premium version, you'll have access to a user-friendly UI that's easy to navigate.
Unsupported Objects
Meta Box is not compatible with widgets and menu items. If you need to create custom fields for these objects, you'll need to find a different solution that is specifically designed for this purpose. This might not be a big deal for some users, but for others who need to create custom fields for these objects, this can be a significant drawback.
Documentation is Complex
Meta Box has comprehensive documentation for all its features, but it's geared toward developers rather than non-technical users. If you're not familiar with the code, the documentation may feel confusing and difficult to follow.
Not Much Third-Party Tutorials
Meta Box is a powerful tool, but it can be challenging to learn if you're not already familiar with it. While the official documentation is complex to understand for regular users, there isn't a lot of third-party content available to help you get started. You may have to spend some time learning the ins and outs of Meta Box before you feel comfortable using it.
Alternatives to Meta Box
- Advanced Custom Fields
- Pods
- ACPT
Conclusion
Thanks for sticking with us till the end of this post, that's it for our review of Meta Box. We hope you found it informative and helpful. By now, you must have understood the power of Meta Box and how it can help you take your WordPress website to the next level.
From custom post types, and taxonomy types, to various field types, this plugin has it all. If you're looking for a plugin that can help you manage your website's custom content with ease, then look no further. Meta Box is the way to go!
Now, it's your turn to try it out. Give Meta Box a chance to make your WordPress experience smoother and more enjoyable. And don't forget to share your thoughts with us in the comments section below. We'd love to hear from you!
Also, don't hesitate to share this post with others who might find it helpful. Let's spread the word and help others benefit from the magic of Meta Box. See you in the comments!
