How to Add a Rating System in Elementor Using an ACF Number Field

Creating a rating system on your website can help visitors make informed decisions, whether they’re reading reviews, comparing products, or evaluating services. Elementor, a popular WordPress page builder, combined with Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), a powerful plugin, makes it easy to add and display ratings using a simple number field. This guide will walk you through the steps to create a rating system using Elementor and ACF.

What You Need

Before we start, make sure you have the following:

• WordPress Website: You need a WordPress site to install plugins and use Elementor.
• Elementor Plugin: Install and activate the free or Pro version of Elementor from the WordPress plugin repository.
• Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) Plugin: Install and activate the ACF plugin from the WordPress plugin repository.

Step 1: Install and Activate Plugins

1. Install Elementor:
   • Go to your WordPress dashboard.
   • Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
   • Search for Elementor.
   • Click Install Now and then Activate.
2. Install ACF:
   • In the WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New.
   • Search for Advanced Custom Fields.
   • Click Install Now and then Activate.

Step 2: Create a Number Field for Ratings in ACF

1. Create a New Field Group:
   • In the dashboard, go to Custom Fields > Add New.
   • Name your field group, e.g., Product Rating.
2. Add a Number Field:
   • Click Add Field.
   • Set the Field Label to Rating.
   • The Field Name will automatically set to rating.
   • Choose Number as the Field Type.
   • In the Minimum Value, enter 1.
   • In the Maximum Value, enter 5 (for a 5-star rating system).
   • Optionally, set the Default Value to 0.
3. Set Field Group Location:
   • Under Location, choose where this rating field will appear.
   • For example, set it to show if Post Type is equal to Product.
4. Publish the Field Group:
   • Click Publish to save your new field group.

Step 3: Add Ratings to Your Content

1. Create or Edit a Product:
   • Go to Products > Add New or edit an existing product.
2. Enter a Rating:
   • Scroll down to the Product Rating (or the name you gave) section.
   • Enter a number between 1 and 5 in the Rating field.
3. Save Your Changes:
   • Click Update or Publish to save the product with its rating.

Step 4: Display the Rating in Elementor

1. Edit the Page with Elementor:
   • Navigate to the page where you want to display the ratings.
   • Click Edit with Elementor.
2. Add a Dynamic Field Widget:
   • In Elementor’s sidebar, search for the ACF Field widget.
   • Drag and drop the ACF Field widget to your desired location on the page.
3. Configure the ACF Field Widget:
   • In the widget settings, select the Field Name you created earlier (e.g., rating).
   • Choose the appropriate Post (if not set to dynamic).
4. Style the Rating:
   • To display stars instead of numbers, you can use custom code or an Elementor add-on that converts number fields to star ratings.
   • Alternatively, use Font Awesome icons to display stars based on the number.

Using Font Awesome for Star Ratings

1. Add HTML Widget:
   • Drag an HTML widget to where you want the stars to appear.
2. Insert the Following Code:

   <div class="star-rating">
     <?php 
       $rating = get_field('rating'); 
       for($i = 1; $i <= 5; $i++) {
         if($i <= $rating){
           echo '<i class="fas fa-star"></i>';
         } else {
           echo '<i class="far fa-star"></i>';
         }
       }
     ?>
   </div>
   

3. Add CSS for Styling:
   • Go to Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS in your WordPress dashboard.
   • Add the following CSS:

     .star-rating {
       color: #FFD700; /* Gold color for stars */
     }
     .star-rating .fas.fa-star {
       color: #FFD700;
     }
     .star-rating .far.fa-star {
       color: #CCCCCC; /* Gray color for empty stars */
     }
     

4. Ensure Font Awesome is Loaded:
   • Elementor usually includes Font Awesome by default. If not, you can add it manually by including the Font Awesome CDN link in your theme’s header.

Step 5: Test Your Rating System

1. View Your Page:
   • After setting up, view your page to see the star ratings displayed based on the ACF number field.
2. Adjust Ratings:
   • Go back to your products and change the Rating value to see the stars update accordingly.

Tips for a Better Rating System

• Use Consistent Styling: Ensure that the stars are consistently styled across all pages for a professional look.
• Limit Rating Display: Display the rating only where necessary to avoid clutter.
• Provide User Feedback: If users can leave ratings, ensure there’s a system to collect and validate their input.
• Optimize for Mobile: Make sure the rating stars display well on all device sizes.

Useful Resources

• Elementor Official Website
• Advanced Custom Fields Official Website
• Font Awesome Icons
• WordPress Plugin Repository
• Elementor ACF Integration Guide

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is ACF in WordPress?

Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) is a WordPress plugin that allows you to add custom fields to your posts, pages, and custom post types. These fields can be text, numbers, images, etc., and help you add more information to your content.

Can I use this method for other types of ratings?

Yes, you can modify the number field and styling to create different types of rating systems, such as 10-star ratings or percentage-based ratings.

Do I need the Pro version of Elementor for this?

No, the free version of Elementor allows you to display ACF fields. However, the Pro version offers more widgets and features that can enhance your rating system.

How do I add user ratings instead of admin ratings?

To allow users to add ratings, you’ll need to implement a front-end form where users can submit their ratings. You can use plugins like ACF Frontend or Gravity Forms integrated with ACF for this purpose.

What if my stars are not displaying correctly?

Ensure that Font Awesome is properly loaded on your site. Check for any CSS conflicts and make sure your HTML code is correctly implemented.

Can I display average ratings?

Yes, you can calculate the average rating by summing all ratings and dividing by the number of ratings. Then, display this average using the same star system.

How do I make the stars clickable for user input?

To make stars clickable, you’ll need to add JavaScript and handle form submissions. This requires more advanced coding or using additional plugins that support star ratings.

Is there a plugin that can simplify this process?

Yes, plugins like WP-PostRatings or Rating-Widget can simplify adding rating systems without manual coding. However, using ACF provides more flexibility and integration with Elementor.

How do I handle multiple ratings for a single product?

You can create a repeater field in ACF to handle multiple ratings or store ratings in a separate custom post type linked to the product.

Can I style the stars differently?

Yes, you can customize the CSS to change the color, size, and appearance of the stars to match your website’s design.

Conclusion

Adding a rating system to your WordPress website using Elementor and Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) is a straightforward process that can enhance user engagement and provide valuable feedback. By creating a simple number field for ratings and displaying them with star icons, you can create a visually appealing and functional rating system.

Whether you’re running an e-commerce site, a blog, or a service-based website, implementing ratings can help build trust with your audience and improve their experience. Follow the steps in this guide to set up your own rating system, and customize it to fit your site’s unique needs.

Remember to keep your ratings system user-friendly and visually consistent to maintain a professional appearance. With Elementor’s flexibility and ACF’s powerful custom fields, the possibilities for enhancing your website are endless!

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