DEV Community: Top Expert Dev

A Beginner’s Guide to Content Editing in Drupal

Top Expert Dev — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 09:46:24 +0000

Content editors in Drupal play a crucial role in managing and maintaining website content without needing technical expertise. Managing content on a website shouldn't be complex, and Drupal makes it robust yet flexible for content editors. Whether you’re a blogger, marketer, or content manager, Drupal offers a user-friendly content editing experience.

Understanding Drupal’s Content Structure Drupal is built on content types – predefined structures that make content editing more efficient. Common ones include:

Articles (for blogs & news)
Basic pages (for static content)
Custom content types (varies per site)

Essential Tools for Content Editors To edit content efficiently, make sure you’re familiar with:

CKEditor: A WYSIWYG editor for rich content formatting.
Media Library: Organize images, videos, and PDFs easily.
Pathauto & Metatag Modules: Improve SEO & clean URLs.

Enhancing Productivity in Drupal Here are some time-saving tips for content editors:

Use Layout Builder for drag-and-drop page layouts.
Use the Paragraphs module for flexible content structuring.
Schedule content to publish automatically.

Common Challenges & How to Overcome Them

Messy Content Structure? → Implement a clear taxonomy from the start.
Slow Editing Process? → Install Admin Toolbar & Quick Edit.
SEO Struggles? → Use SEO Checklist module to optimize content.

Final Thoughts

Drupal may seem overwhelming at first, but once you leverage its features smartly, content editing becomes a breeze! If you’re new to it, start with basic content editing, then explore advanced tools like Views & Layout Builder.

How Can I migrate from Drupal 7 to Backdrop CMS?

Top Expert Dev — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 09:48:02 +0000

Drupal 7’s end-of-life (Jan 2025) has left many site owners looking for alternatives. One great option is Backdrop CMS, a Drupal 7 fork designed for small to mid-sized websites. It keeps Drupal 7’s best features while improving performance and ease of use.

If you’re considering migrating from Drupal 7 to Backdrop CMS, here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth transition.

Why Choose Backdrop CMS?

Same Familiar Structure: Built on Drupal 7’s architecture.
Lightweight & Faster: Improved performance with a smaller footprint.
Lower Maintenance Costs: No complex updates like Drupal 9/10.

Step 1: Backup Your Drupal 7 Site

Before migrating, make sure to backup your database, files, and themes to avoid data loss.

Step 2: Set Up a Backdrop CMS Environment

Download and install Backdrop CMS on a staging server.
Ensure PHP 7.3+ is installed.
Set up a new database.

*Step 3: Migrate Data from Drupal 7
*

Backdrop CMS has a built-in upgrade path:
Place your Drupal 7 database in your Backdrop site directory.
Modify settings.php to use the Drupal 7 database.
Run the Backdrop upgrade script (upgrade.php).
The system will migrate nodes, users, taxonomy, and menu items automatically.

Step 4: Rebuild Your Site

Backdrop CMS has a Layout system instead of Drupal 7’s block system, so you may need to:
Reconfigure Views (Backdrop has Views built-in).
Adjust Custom Modules (Some D7 modules are now part of the Backdrop core).
Test Content & Permissions to ensure everything works as expected.
**
Step 5: Test & Go Live**
Check for missing features.
Enable caching for better performance.
Once satisfied, switch your DNS settings and make your Backdrop site live.

Final Thoughts

Backdrop CMS is an excellent choice if you want a Drupal 7-like experience without complex migrations. It’s a cost-effective, long-term solution for small businesses, nonprofits, and organizations that don’t want to rebuild their sites entirely on Drupal 9/10.

How can I build an AI chatbot for my website?

Top Expert Dev — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 09:48:56 +0000

AI chatbots are transforming how websites interact with visitors. Whether for lead generation, support, or automation, here’s a simple way to build one!

Steps to Build an AI Chatbot:

1️⃣ Decide its Function – Will it answer FAQs, book appointments, or assist with navigation?
2️⃣ Pick a Tool:

For Beginners: Chatbot builders like Dialogflow, BotPress, or ManyChat.

For Developers: Python (Flask/Django) + AI models (OpenAI API, Rasa).
3️⃣ Train Your Bot – Use NLP models (GPT-4, spaCy) to enhance response accuracy.
4️⃣ Integrate with Website – Embed the bot using APIs or website plugins.
5️⃣ Optimize Performance – Monitor interactions and refine them based on user feedback.

6+ Best Multi-Vendor Marketplace Platforms in 2025

Top Expert Dev — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 09:37:19 +0000

The eCommerce industry is evolving, and multi-vendor Marketplace platforms are gaining massive traction. Whether you’re building an Amazon-like marketplace, a niche marketplace, or a B2B platform, choosing the right technology is critical.

Why Multi-Vendor Marketplaces Are the Future?
✔️ Global eCommerce sales are projected to hit $8.1 trillion by 2026.
✔️ Multi-vendor platforms enable businesses to scale without managing inventor

✔️ AI-driven automation is making marketplace management easier than ever.

Best Multi-Vendor Marketplace Platforms in 2025

Shopify Plus — Best for Growing eCommerce Marketplaces 🔹 AI-powered search & recommendations 🔹 Built-in checkout, payments, & shipping

🔹 Highly scalable with multi-storefront options

Magento 2 (Adobe Commerce) — Best for Enterprises
🔹 Customizable with open-source flexibility
🔹 AI-driven analytics & personalization
🔹 Supports B2B & B2C marketplaces
WooCommerce + Dokan — Best for WordPress Users
🔹 Easy to set up with WordPress
🔹 Affordable with powerful vendor features
🔹 Supports commission-based marketplace models
CS-Cart Multi-Vendor — Best for Feature-Rich Marketplaces
🔹 Built-in vendor dashboards
🔹 AI-powered pricing & automation
🔹 Multi-currency & multi-language support
Marketplace — Best for Scaling Retail Marketplaces
🔹 Cloud-based & highly scalable
🔹 Trusted by Myer & Woolworths
🔹 Seamless integrations with existing stores
Mirakl — Best for Large-Scale Marketplaces
🔹 AI-driven pricing & product matching
🔹 Trusted by Walmart & Best Buy

**
Which Marketplace Platform Is Right for You?**

📌 Shopify Plus, Magento, & Mirakl — Best for large-scale businesses
📌 WooCommerce, CS-Cart, & Sharetribe — Best for small businesses & startups
📌 Marketplace & Mirakl — Best for high-growth enterprises

How can I build a multi-vendor eCommerce marketplace using Shopify?

Top Expert Dev — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 10:05:56 +0000

In today’s booming eCommerce industry, multi-vendor marketplaces like Amazon and Etsy are thriving. The good news? You can build your own multi-vendor marketplace using Shopify!

While Shopify doesn’t have a built-in marketplace feature, you can leverage third-party apps to transform your store into a multi-vendor platform where multiple sellers can list and sell products.

Step 1: Choose Shopify Plus or Basic Shopify

Shopify doesn’t offer a built-in multi-vendor feature, but you can still create one using third-party apps like Multi Vendor Marketplace by Webkul or Multi-Vendor Marketplace by SpurIT.
If you need advanced features and scalability, Shopify Plus is a better option.

Step 2: Install a Multi-Vendor Marketplace App

Webkul Multi Vendor Marketplace – Allows vendors to manage their own inventory.
SpurIT Multi-Vendor Marketplace – Helps with order management and commission settings.
Vendor Den – Offers seamless vendor onboarding.
**
Step 3: Set Up Vendor Profiles & Commissions**
Define commission rates (fixed or percentage-based).
Allow vendors to register and manage their own products.
Enable automated payouts via PayPal, Stripe, or other payment methods.
**
Step 4: Customize Your Marketplace**
Choose a Shopify theme that supports multi-vendor functionalities.
Optimize your site for SEO & mobile-friendliness.
Enable reviews, ratings, and seller profiles for transparency.

Step 5: Set Up Payment Processing & Logistics

Use Shopify Payments or third-party gateways for secure transactions.
Offer multiple shipping options via Shopify Shipping or vendor-specific shipping rules.
**
Step 6: Launch & Market Your Marketplace**
Run Google & Facebook Ads to attract buyers and sellers.
Use content marketing (blogs, videos, and social media) to generate traffic.
Partner with influencers to build credibility.

Best WordPress Page Builders in 2025: Which One Should You Choose?

Top Expert Dev — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 10:39:35 +0000

With WordPress continuing to dominate web design in 2025, page builders have become more advanced, focusing on speed, ease of use, and design flexibility. But with so many options, which builder is right for you?

Best 5 WordPress Page Builders in 2025

Elementor – Best for Most Users

The most popular drag-and-drop builder.
Huge template library with pre-made designs.
Pricing: Free version available, Pro starts at $59/year.

Bricks Builder – Best for Speed & Developers

Ultra-fast & lightweight, built for high performance.
Works inside WordPress, no extra bloat.
Pricing: One-time payment ($99+).

Breakdance – Best for Agencies & Beginners

Drag-and-drop visual builder with powerful features.
Great for eCommerce, WooCommerce-ready.
Pricing: Starts at $99/year.

Divi Builder – Best for Designers

Real-time editing with tons of design options.
Best for creatives who love custom layouts.
Pricing: $89/year or $249 lifetime.

Beaver Builder – Best for Clean & Simple Websites

Super lightweight & stable for agency websites.
Pricing: Starts at $99/year

Which One Should You Choose?

👉 For beginners: Elementor or Breakdance.
👉 For agencies: Beaver Builder or Breakdance.
👉 For performance: Bricks or Oxygen.
👉 For designers: Divi Builder.

If you’re just starting out, Elementor or Breakdance is great. But if you want speed & performance, Bricks is your best bet!

Page Builders vs. Layout Builders – Which One Do You Prefer?

Top Expert Dev — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 10:41:53 +0000

When building a website, one of the biggest decisions is choosing between a Page Builder (like Elementor, Divi, or WPBakery) and a Layout Builder (such as Drupal Layout Builder, Oxygen, or Gutenberg).

Here’s a quick breakdown

Page Builders: Best for beginners and non-coders who want a drag-and-drop interface with pre-built elements.

Drag-and-drop functionality for easy website design.
Ideal for beginners, marketers, and non-coders.
Comes with pre-designed templates but can add bloat.

** Layout Builders**: More developer-friendly, giving flexibility over layout structure and performance.

Focuses more on structuring website content and layout.
Provides better performance and flexibility.
Requires some coding knowledge but is great for advanced users. ** Read related article : page-builders-layout-builders

Key differences**

✅ Page Builders: User-friendly, faster for simple sites, but may add extra bloat.
✅ Layout Builders: More control, better performance, but a steeper learning curve.

Which One Should You Choose?

👉 If you're a beginner or need a quick website, Page Builders are the way to go.
👉 If you need better performance, scalability, and flexibility, go for Layout Builders.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right tool depends on your goals. For quick, visually appealing websites, Page Builders are great. But if you prioritize performance and scalability, Layout Builders win.

What Is the best framework for building Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)?

Top Expert Dev — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 09:57:35 +0000

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are revolutionizing the way businesses deliver fast, reliable, and engaging experiences to users. They combine the best of web and mobile apps, offering offline functionality, push notifications, and fast performance.

Top PWA Frameworks to Consider in 2025

✅ React PWA – Ideal for large-scale applications. Offers reusable components and works well with Next.js for better performance.

✅ Angular PWA – Provides built-in support with Angular Service Workers, making it easy to implement caching and background sync.

✅ Vue PWA – A lightweight framework that’s beginner-friendly and offers seamless PWA integration using Vue CLI.

✅ Svelte PWA – A newer framework gaining traction due to its optimized performance and smaller bundle size.

✅ PWA Builder (Microsoft) – A no-code/low-code solution that quickly converts websites into PWAs.

✅ Workbox by Google – Not a full framework, but an essential tool for managing caching strategies and offline support in PWAs.
**
Why Choose PWA Over Native Apps?**

No app store approvals required
Works offline and loads instantly
Faster development & lower costs
Easier updates without app downloads

If you need a full-fledged solution, React, Angular, and Vue are the top choices. For simpler use cases, PWA Builder or Workbox can help.

How to Build an Accessible E-commerce Site for All Shoppers

Top Expert Dev — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 10:15:02 +0000

E-commerce sites that prioritize accessibility not only comply with legal standards (ADA, WCAG) but also create an inclusive shopping experience for millions of people with disabilities. Here are the key steps to achieve this:

1️⃣ Keyboard-Friendly Navigation: Ensure all interactive elements (menus, buttons, pop-ups) can be accessed via the keyboard.
2️⃣ Screen Reader Compatibility: Use semantic HTML, proper heading structures, and ARIA attributes for assistive technologies.
3️⃣ Alt Text for Images & Product Descriptions: Every image should have meaningful alt text, and products should have detailed descriptions for visually impaired users.
4️⃣ Color Contrast & Readability: Use high contrast text, avoid relying solely on color for information, and allow text resizing.
5️⃣ Accessible Forms & Checkout: Use clear labels, provide real-time validation, and avoid CAPTCHA challenges that hinder accessibility.
6️⃣ Multimedia Accessibility: Include closed captions for videos and transcripts for podcasts.
7️⃣ Testing & Compliance: Tools like WAVE, Axe, and Google Lighthouse can help audit accessibility issues.