Large chunks of HTML shortcodes, stored in a widget

Hi all,

I am using CTM ( https://nl.www.ads-software.com/plugins/custom-content-type-manager/ ) and created a custom content type, e.g. portfolio-items. The CTM plugin offers shortcodes to read specific fields from the content-type, so for example thumbnail, title, description and url. But of course I need some styling and responsiveness with them. Therefore I created a lot of HTML + shortcodes decorated with CSS and JS behind the screens. This is hard to edit / understand for the client who knows nothing about HTML.

So, I thought about two solutions, two being my favourite:

1. I would like to store all content (including shortcodes) in some sort of widget, that the client can simple drag and drop withing Visual Composer or the editor. In worst case scenario even just use one shortcode, instead of the large chunk of code.

2. Even better, I have two vars in the large chunck of code. The vars are shortcoded as well. For example the argument [shortcode sort-by-category] where ‘sort-by-category’ should be editable to ‘sort-by-title’ or something simular. Ideally i would like to use some sort of widget where the client simply selects the sort by that updates the HTML and places it as some sort of shortcode within the page.

I know PHP well, but I am new to WP. I of course Googled, but can’t find an answer yet.

Thanks!