Web app development is a complex process hence resource and time-intensive. However, with the right tools and technologies, you can create a streamlined web development process. WordPress and Laravel, for instance, are some of the powerful tools that, when integrated, make the whole web development process easy. With WordPress being a solid content management system and Laravel being a powerful PHP framework, the question is, how can you integrate the two to simplify the web development process? This guide will guide you throughout the process, ensuring you have an easy time with your web development processes.

What is Laravel? Quick Overview

Simply put, Laravel is a software development framework used in web development using PHP. Laravel comes with ready-made components that make the web development process simple and faster. What’s more, you can easily customize the components and tailor them to align with your website requirements.

Its clear and well-defined syntax simplifies reading and writing the code. In fact, the framework will handle most of the complex tasks in web development, allowing you to only implement the creativity aspect during the web development process.

Some of the Laravel features that make it a unique and popular PHP framework include the following:

• Libraries & Modular – Laravel comes packed with inbuilt modular libraries that enable developers to create a user-friendly web app.
• Artisan – Laravel comes with the Artisan command feature that helps developers execute basic tasks like package installation, database seeding, and database migrations.
• Unit testing – with the unit testing feature in Laravel, you can automate the app testing process without going the manual way.
• Routing – the routing feature in Laravel simplifies the process of defining routes in an app. Through routing, developers can map URLs to execute specific functions like sending emails, executing an API call, and showing a view.
• Database migration – Laravel maintains a database in syn across different development environments.
• Template engine – the Blade is a templating feature in Laravel that helps developers write plain PHP code. The feature also offers a shortcut option when performing basic tasks like creating forms, displaying data, and paginating records.
• Testing – Laravel has an in-built testing feature that simplifies the testing process, as mentioned before. To add on that, the framework offers reliable methods for simplified processes of stubbing and mocking external services.
• Maintenance – the maintenance mode feature in Laravel helps keep the system in maintenance mode when performing some changes to the app such as changing or updating the app.
• Event handling – developers can easily define and handle events, thanks to the event-driven architecture in the Laravel framework.
• Eloquent ORM – the inbuilt ORM – Object Relational Mapper in Laravel helps developers understand how models relate, thus enabling the development team to perform database operations seamlessly.
• Database migrations –The database migrations feature in Laravel is different from the data migration described before. In this case, database migrations in Laravel help the development team adjust the database structure without the need to write SQL queries.
• Security –The security features in the Laravel framework, including user authentication, password hashing, and input validation, help to secure the entire system throughout.

Why use Laravel with WordPress? Top benefits of the Laravel framework

The benefits of integrating WordPress into Laravel include the following:

• Enhanced security

Laravel has features that prioritize security, including SQL injection prevention, CSRF protection, and password hashing, among other features.

Integrating WordPress into Laravel enables you to secure all the sensitive data in your system. WordPress, on the other hand, has extensive security plugins which facilitate the frontend security.

When you use the two powerful tools together, you are guaranteed the data security of your system.

• Better performance & scalability

WordPress has the caching mechanism, plus it has lightweight themes which enhances the speed and overall good user experience. Laravel, on the other hand has solid API functionalities, supports effective database management, and development of scalable apps.

Integrating the two powerful tools is a sure way of building robust and well-performing web apps.

• Ease of customization

Laravel’s PHP framework allows a higher level of customization. You can adjust and tailor components, modules, and functionalities to align with your website needs. Using Laravel with WordPress enables you to elevate the WordPress features and functionalities through customization, thus creating a seamless user experience.

• Ease of integration with external systems

Laravel thrives in building solid and reliable APIs (application programming interfaces). This sets it as a unique tool suitable for integrating the WordPress website with other external services and systems, including email marketing platforms, CRMS – customer relationship management system, and payment getaway services. The integrations improve the functionality of the website, thus creating a satisfied user experience.

• Easy to maintain the code

Laravel has a clean syntax, which simplifies the coding processes. This makes it easy to read and maintain the code. A perfect instance is when using the same command to create a complete authentication system, including the dashboard UI, registration, and login. The smooth process here accelerates the development speed with streamlined workflows.

• Accelerated web development

With WordPress integrated into Laravel, you can attain a high-performing website developed quite faster.

This is because Laravel has a composer that is used to optimize code extensions to extend the website’s functionality. What’s more, the inbuilt caching mechanism like file catching and extensive support to common caching services, including Redis & Memcached, enhances the website’s overall performance.

Above all, Laravel embraces modular architecture, which enables developers to create components that can enhance the overall performance and functionality of your website.

• Access to useful resources

WordPress has an active and supportive community, just like Laravel. Therefore, Integrating the two powerful tools means access to many resources, including plugins and tutorials that will help you troubleshoot and solve common issues in your web apps.

What’s more, both WordPress and Laravel are open-source, and they continue to improve. This gives developers room to access the best-updated features and trends that can streamline the development process and produce well-performing website solutions.

• Better flexibility

Another inevitable flexibility that comes with WordPress into Laravel integration is the ultimate flexibility. In this case, the WordPress theme and plugin integration feature enables developers to easily customize the design and layout. Laravel, on the other hand, plays a major role in facilitating complex functionalities and backend customization.

What’s more the custom functionality in Laravel enables developers to customize and tailor the website’s functionalities in WordPress.

Above all, using Laravel and WordPress helps developers tailor the system according to user needs, thus enhancing the user experience. These levels of flexibility enable developers to create not only well-performing websites but also websites tailored to unique business requirements.

Note: while WordPress into Laravel integration comes with many benefits, it has its shortcomings as well. For instance, the disadvantages or challenges of integrating WordPress into Laravel can be due to:

• The fact that WordPress is not compatible with Composer poses some set of challenges during the integration process.
• The WordPress into Laravel integration is a complex process, hence the need for skilled development staff on board full-time to manage and monitor all the processes.

Step-by-step how to integrate WordPress

When integrating WordPress into Laravel, you can use different approaches: you can either use a WordPress Pete plugin or a WordPress Corcel. Below is a detailed description of the two methods:

Method one: WordPress into Laravel integration using WordPress Pete Plugin

WordPress Pete plugin creates a seamless environment and workflow process for a smooth WordPress into Laravel integration process by displaying WordPress data via RESTful API, which is then mirrored into the Laravel site.

Use this method when you want to leverage the Laravel reliable development features with WordPress content management functionalities.

The step-by-step process of integrating WordPress into Laravel using the Pete plugin includes the following:

• WordPress Pete installation

Start by installing the WordPress Pete plugin. The Pete plug in is simply an app designed to integrate Laravel into the WordPress backend. If you aren’t quite sure, start by trying the plugin on two websites for a free trial.

After downloading the software, use Terminal to install it using appropriate commands. The installation process can take some time. However, once finished, you’ll need to key in the admin password for the computer. From here, choose the PHP version you prefer, then move to the next step.

• Create a New WordPress Website

With the Pete plugin installed, navigate to the test site & create a new WordPress website for the processes.

On the right-hand side upper corner, choose to create a new WordPress, then name the installation and mark the URL for the process. Finish this step by installing WordPress in the normal way using the admin URL.

• WordPress Pete Settings configuration

After you’ve created the new WordPress website, log in and then check the plugins list. You’ll see the WordPress Pete plugin. Ideally, when you use WordPress Pete to create a new WordPress website, the plugin installs automatically.

Click settings, then Laravel integration, and follow the prompts to complete the process. Approve all the integration processes and enable the cookie functionality on all the subdomains.

Next, click on the update key, then log out. You can then log in back to allow the plugin to accept the cookie settings.

• Create a new integration

This is the final stage of performing WordPress into Laravel integration using the WordPress Pete plugin method.

On your WordPress Pete installation, click on the Create a new WordPress plus Laravel integration option. Pick the options on the menu, then complete the configuration process for the new integration.

Method two: WordPress into Laravel integrating using WordPress Corcel

Here is another method you can use to complete the WordPress into Laravel integration. The process involves using the WordPress Corcel.

Corcel is a collection of PHP models that helps developers recover data and use the same data right from WordPress. It is more of a bridge connecting Laravel with WordPress.

With Corcel installed, you can use your WordPress website as the backend admin of your project when adding data, such as customized posts or posts, into the Laravel app.

Below is the process of integrating WordPress into Laravel using Corcel:

• Corcel installation

Start the process by installing Corcel using Composer. Corcel is available on GitHub; just access it and download it right away. Once you download, configure it and then start the process of installing Laravel, then configure the Laravel settings.

• Laravel configuration for Corcel

Laravel 5.5 has an AutoDiscovery function that will register Corcel automatically. However, if you are using an older version of Laravel, you will have to register Corcel manually and then complete the configuration process using the Artisan command in your app.

• Database connection set up

At this point, you have already installed the Corcel and configured Laravel for Corcel. You now need to establish your WordPress database connection to prompt Laravel to retrieve data and other components from your WordPress website.

You will use the same name used in your PHP database file to configure the CorcelPhp file to allow seamless collaboration between Corcel and Laravel in a WordPress website.

• Define the parameters of your project

This is the final step of WordPress into Laravel integration using WordPress Corcel. You can establish different ways to use your newly WordPress-Laravel integrated system. Review the documentation to establish the process of setting parameters. After this, you can set your preferred connection for custom fields, shortcodes, custom post types, and taxonomies, among many others.

Common issues or challenges during WordPress into Laravel integration with solutions

The WordPress into Laravel integration is a complex process, and there are challenges or issues that may arise during the process. Here are some of these issues and how to resolve them:

• Authentication error – Sometimes, the WordPress authentication system may not work well in the Laravel application. This is because WordPress and Laravel use different authentication systems and approaches. So, instead of using the WordPress authentication system in this case, consider creating a custom authentication system that is compatible with both WordPress and Laravel.
• Performance issues – Performance issues can arise anytime when you integrate WordPress into Laravel. In most cases, such issues arise when you are using a shared hosting environment.

—You can resolve this challenge by optimizing WordPress and Laravel apps for better performance. Above all, choose a dedicated hosting environment for better stability.

• Permalinks not working – at times, when you set up permalinks on WordPress, they might not work after WordPress-Laravel integration because Laravel and WordPress use different routing systems and approaches.

—You can resolve this by changing the .htaccess in the WordPress root directory. Add a rewrite rule that facilitates redirecting the requests to the Laravel app.

• Session issues – Both WordPress and Laravel use session data. However, they store this data in different places, making it hard to share session data between WordPress and Laravel.

—You will need to use a package that offers a simplified interface for session data sharing between WordPress and Laravel. In this case, a laravel-WordPress-bridge is the best solution.

• Integration with WordPress plugins – Sometimes, some WordPress plugins may not be compatible with Laravel after the integration process. This is because some of the WordPress plugins depend on WordPress core functionality or depend on WordPress-specific functionality to execute specific actions.

—To can solve this in two ways: One, you can change the plugin to be compatible with Laravel, or two, find another Laravel option for the plugin.

Hiring a developer vs manual integration: which one is the best?

WordPress into Laravel integration is a technical process that requires some skills, knowledge, and experience.

First of all, you must have a solid understanding of WordPress and Laravel. In this case, you can determine if you can handle the processes depending on your skills and expertise or if you need to hire an expert to carry out the processes. Below is a detailed description of manual integration vs hiring an expert:

• Manual integration

Manual integration means carrying out the integration processes all by yourself. However, you must be proficient with web development trends and practices, databases, and extensive knowledge of both PHP and WordPress operations.

This option can only benefit highly experienced and knowledgeable developers. Again, if not well planned and executed, it can lead to a number of issues within the website, thus affecting its functionality and performance. Some of the issues that might arise during the manual process include:

• Different forms of security threats
• Prolonged development timelines
• Incompatibility issues between the WordPress platform and that of Laravel
• Debugging issues
• Handling conflicting plugins, libraries, and dependencies between the platforms.

• Hiring an expert developer

Apparently, this is the most viable solution, considering that WordPress into Laravel integration is a complex process with a lot of technical aspects involved. An expert developer has adequate experience, knowledge, and skills required to bring out a solid, well-performing, and secure system after the integration process.

But then, where can you find the right developer or rather PHP Laravel development company? This is where Aalpha information systems come in.

Our teams are equipped with skills, knowledge, experience, and trends in handling both Laravel apps and WordPress platforms.

You simply share your project details, then get a quote from us, and wait for a timely delivery of your top-notch project upon completion.

The benefits of hiring a developer are vast, including:

• Timely delivery
• Better risks management
• Take your time to focus on other core functionalities of your business
• Access to global talents for specialized services
• Cost-effectiveness
• Regular support to ensure the stability of your system

Conclusion

When you integrate WordPress with Laravel, you open many opportunities and options to leverage the content management functionalities with those of Laravel, including better flexibility and room for customizations.

The final website will not only perform well but deliver a better experience tailored to meet what users need, thus a better user experience.

However, the integration process can be complex. Don’t waste more time and resources trying to figure out the entire process on your own. Instead, reach out to our PHP development company : Aalpha Information Systems and let us complete the process for you in a professional manner.