Why does the checkout page work when edited on Webflow, but not on the live site after pressing "add to cart"?

Published on
September 22, 2023

When encountering a situation where the checkout page appears to be functioning correctly on Webflow but not on the live site after pressing "add to cart," there are a few possible reasons and solutions to consider:

  1. Incomplete integration with a payment gateway: Ensure that the payment gateway you have integrated with Webflow is properly configured. Check if you have set up the necessary API keys, enabled the appropriate features, and configured the webhook URLs correctly. If any of these settings are missing or incorrect, it can prevent the checkout process from working as expected on the live site.

  2. Custom code conflicts: If you have added custom code to your checkout page, such as JavaScript or third-party scripts, there could be a conflict between those scripts and the functionality of the checkout process. Check if there are any console errors or conflicts in the browser's developer tools. Try removing or disabling any custom code temporarily and see if the checkout process starts working correctly.

  3. Validation errors: Additionally, ensure that all required form fields on the checkout page have been properly validated. If any required fields are missing or not meeting the specified validation criteria (such as email address format), the checkout process may not proceed on the live site. Double-check the validation rules on your forms to ensure they are working correctly.

  4. Compatibility issues: Webflow websites rely on modern web technologies, such as HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. It's possible that the live site where the checkout page isn't working as expected may be using outdated or incompatible browsers that are not fully compatible with these technologies. Check if the issue is consistently happening across different browsers and versions. If so, consider updating browsers or utilizing compatibility fixes for older versions.

  5. Cache and publishing issues: Sometimes, changes made to the checkout page in Webflow may not be immediately reflected on the live site due to caching or publishing issues. Clear the cache on the browser and ensure that you have published the latest version of your site to your custom domain. Additionally, try opening the live site in an incognito or private browsing window to bypass any cached files.

By troubleshooting these potential issues, you can pinpoint the underlying cause of the checkout page not functioning properly on the live site and take corrective actions to resolve the problem. It's also worth reaching out to Webflow support or consulting with experienced Webflow developers if the issue persists.

Additional Questions:

  1. How to debug payment gateway integration issues in Webflow?
  2. What are the best practices for adding custom code to a Webflow checkout page?
  3. How to ensure cross-browser compatibility for a Webflow website?