It’s where you get to start using Webflow custom code and create integrations to really open up the world and give you endless possibilities with your website. So, in this guide, we’re going to teach you everything you need to know about Webflow custom code and how to extend your website with integrations from the basics to API magic.
What is Webflow custom code?
Whatever you want to do with your Webflow project, you can also do with Webflow custom code and more. Webflow custom code is any extra scripts, styles, or code snippets you can put in your Webflow project to improve its functionality or design. Webflow’s visual builder is powerful, but with custom code, while giving you the flexibility to do whatever you want beyond what Webflow offers, your site will feel truly unique.
Everything from embedding third-party widgets to adding custom animations to tweaking the CSS for your perfect pixel design can be done with custom code. It is the secret sauce that will make your great website into an exceptional one.
How to add custom code to Webflow
Adding custom code in Webflow is as easy as pie (if you’re into baking, that is). Here’s how you can do it:
At the project level
- Go to your Webflow dashboard and open the project settings.
- Click on the Custom Code tab.
- Add <style> or <script> tags in the Header or footer section, depending on when we want the code to load.
At the page level
- Open the page settings for any specific page in your project.
- Scroll down to the Custom Code section.
- Insert your code in the Header or Footer fields.
Inside embed elements
- Drag an Embed element from the Webflow Add panel onto your canvas.
- Paste your custom code into the text area.
That’s it! Publish your project and watch your code come to life.
Best practices for custom code in Webflow
Before you start sprinkling code snippets all over your Webflow project, here are some tips to ensure your site stays sleek and fast:
- Test locally: Always test your custom code in a staging environment before pushing it live.
- Minify your code: Reduce file sizes for faster load times.
- Use comments: Comment on your code so you (and others) know what purpose your code serves later.
- Avoid overuse: Custom code on your site can make it harder to maintain your site and harder to keep it running at a fast and speedy speed.
- Stick to standards: It runs in any browser because we follow best practices of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and there is no proprietary stuff on the page.
What are Webflow integrations?
Webflow integrations refer to when you connect your website to other tools and platforms so that it’s easier to manage workflows, track analytics, and improve the user experience on your website. Webflow integrations can be Webflow native or third-party and add functionality to your site without rebuilding the wheel.
Built-in vs. third-party integrations
Webflow-native integrations
Webflow offers several built-in integrations that work seamlessly with your project. Here are some popular options:
- Zapier: A powerful way to connect Webflow with hundreds of other apps (like Slack or Google Sheets) to automate your workflows.
- Google Analytics: This will be a fundamental analytics tool that will track visitor behavior, as well as website performance.
- Facebook Pixel: With tracking conversions and retargeting your visitors, you optimize your advertising.
Examples of third-party integration
Webflow comes equipped with third-party integrations that allow you to add in functions you use, but are external to your site. Some popular examples include:
- Calendly: Add a scheduling widget so users can book appointments directly on your site.
- Airtable: Power complex workflows or manage data using Airtable as your dynamic backend.
- HubSpot: Connect HubSpot’s CRM with ease to capture and manage leads.
How to set up Webflow integrations
- Choose your tool: Decide which integration you want to use based on your needs.
- Follow documentation: Most tools provide detailed instructions for integrating with Webflow.
- Use embed codes: Copy and paste embed codes into Webflow’s Custom Code or Embed elements.
- Test the integration: Ensure everything is working as expected before going live.
Webflow API integration
What is the Webflow API?
The Webflow API is a developer’s interface for programmatically doing things inside your Webflow projects. It’s this API that allows you to create a CMS, manage CMS items, integrate workflows, and even sync other data with your Webflow site.
Benefits of Webflow API integration
- Manage CMS items: Add, update, or delete CMS items without manually editing your Webflow site.
- Automate workflows: Streamline repetitive tasks by connecting Webflow to other platforms.
- Sync external data: Keep your site’s content in sync with external databases or tools.
Use cases for API integration
Automating blog post updates
Fed up of having to manually upload blog posts? Publish content from Airtable or Contentful using the Webflow API to automatically fetch it.
Synchronizing integrations with CRMs such as HubSpot or Salesforce
Integrate your Webflow with your CRM to keep your customer data up to date. There, it automatically creates leads or updates records whenever a form is submitted.
Custom dashboards and reporting
Build custom dashboards to monitor your site’s performance, analytics, or sales data by pulling information directly from Webflow.
How to get started with the Webflow API
- Obtain API credentials: Go to your Webflow account settings and generate an API key.
- Read the documentation: Familiarize yourself with the Webflow API documentation.
- Use tools: Leverage tools like Postman to test API calls before integrating them into your app.
- Build and test: Develop your integration, test it thoroughly, and deploy it.
Optimizing performance with custom code & integrations
While custom code and integrations are powerful, they can sometimes affect your site’s performance if not implemented carefully. Here are a few tips:
- Lazy load assets: Ensure images, videos, and scripts load only when needed.
- Compress files: Minimize the size of CSS, JavaScript, and image files.
- Audit regularly: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to identify performance bottlenecks.
- Monitor third-party scripts: Limit the use of heavy third-party scripts that can slow down your site.
Final thoughts
There are endless possibilities for designers and developers with Webflow custom code and integrations. Whether you’re putting a trivial widget in place, automating workflows, or going down the rabbit hole of API integration, the key is a reasonable balance of creativity and performance.
Frequently asked questions
What is Webflow custom code and how does it work?
Webflow custom code allows you to embed HTML, CSS, or JavaScript directly into your project to extend its functionality beyond Webflow’s built-in features. You can add it at the project, page, or element level to implement custom styling, scripts, or third-party widgets.
Can I integrate third-party tools with Webflow?
Yes, Webflow supports integrations with third-party tools through custom embed codes, native integrations like Zapier and Google Analytics, or API connections for advanced workflows.
How do I use the Webflow API for automation?
The Webflow API lets you programmatically manage CMS items, automate tasks, and sync data by using API keys and making requests via tools like Postman or custom scripts.
