Crowd Favorite Development Standards
Welcome to the Crowd Favorite Development Standards documentation. These standards represent our commitment to building exceptional web experiences using open-source technologies, with a focus on WordPress and Laravel development.
Our Philosophy
We strive to build sites and applications that are robust, fault-tolerant, and accessible to the widest possible audience. This approach starts with a solid foundation of semantic HTML and builds up from there, adding features for browsers and devices that support them without breaking the experience for those that don’t.
Quality and speed are equals in our development process. While we work efficiently to meet project deadlines, we never compromise on code quality, security, or accessibility. This philosophy ensures that the solutions we deliver are built to last and can evolve with our clients’ needs over time.
Standards Sections
Philosophy & Approach
Our foundational principles for creating exceptional web experiences using open-source technologies. Learn about our technology focus and development philosophy.
Markup & HTML
Semantic markup forms the foundation of every project we build. Explore our standards for semantic structure, accessibility, and progressive enhancement.
CSS & Styling
CSS architecture significantly impacts both the maintainability of our projects and the performance experienced by end users. Discover our approach to styling, organization, and responsive design.
PHP Development
PHP development practices form the backbone of both our WordPress and Laravel projects. Review our standards for code architecture, performance optimization, and code quality.
JavaScript
Modern JavaScript development practices apply consistently across our WordPress and Laravel projects. Learn our patterns for DOM manipulation, API integration, and performance optimization.
Version Control
Version control practices ensure consistent collaboration and maintainable project history across all team members. Understand our branching strategy, commit practices, and code review process.
Tools & Environment
We use a consistent but flexible approach to environments and tooling to ensure that all team members can work efficiently within project needs while maintaining code quality standards.
Project Structure
Consistent project organization improves team efficiency and makes it easier to maintain projects over time. Explore our standards for WordPress themes, plugins, and Laravel applications.
Performance
Performance optimization affects every aspect of web development, from initial planning through ongoing maintenance. Discover our approach to caching, database optimization, and performance monitoring.
Security
Security considerations permeate every aspect of web development, from initial architecture decisions through ongoing maintenance. Learn our practices for input validation, authentication, and secure coding.
Using These Standards
These standards are designed to be practical and actionable. Each section includes:
- Principles - The “why” behind our practices
- Implementation - Concrete examples and code samples
- Best Practices - Proven approaches for common scenarios
- Platform-Specific Guidance - WordPress and Laravel specific recommendations
Whether you’re joining the Crowd Favorite team or collaborating with us on a project, these standards provide a comprehensive guide to our development practices and expectations.
Continuous Improvement
These standards evolve as technologies and best practices change. They represent our current understanding and approach, informed by years of experience building web applications. We welcome feedback and contributions that help improve these standards for everyone.