How to Create a CMS in Webflow: Step-by-Step Tutorial

Are you ready to build your own Content Management System (CMS) in Webflow? In this step-by-step tutorial, we will guide you through the process of creating a CMS from scratch using Webflow. This tutorial is perfect for beginners who want to learn how to implement and use Webflow CMS tools effectively. So, grab your computer and let's get started!

Logging into Webflow

The first step is to go to webflow.com and click the "log in" button located at the top right-hand corner of the page. If you don't have a Webflow account, you can create one by signing up. Once logged into your Webflow account, you'll be directed to the dashboard where all your projects are displayed.

Starting a New Project

To begin creating your CMS, click on the "New Project" button in the top right-hand corner of the dashboard. You'll be presented with various templates, both free and paid. For this tutorial, we'll start with a blank site. Name your project "Fin Suite CMS Library for Webflow" and click "Create Project."

Creating a CMS Collection

Before adding any elements to the canvas, the first step is to create a CMS collection. On the left-hand side of the Webflow Designer, click on the "Add" button, represented by three circles which is the official logo for CMS. Then, click on "Create Collection" to begin setting up your CMS collection.

Naming the Collection

Name the collection "Fin Suite Products for Webflow." This collection will include items representing the products offered by Fin Suite for Webflow.

Adding Fields

Within the collection, we'll add three fields: name, description, and image. These fields will store essential information about the products.

• Name: The default field is "Title," which can be renamed to "Name." You can also add help text to guide users on what to input in this field.

• Description: This field will be set as plain text with multiple lines, allowing for a detailed product description.

• Image: Add an image field to store product images. This field will be essential for displaying visual representations of the products.

Once the fields are added and customized, click "Create Collection" to complete the setup process.

Adding Sample Items

At this point, you have the option to add sample items to the collection. However, for the purpose of this tutorial, you can bypass adding sample items as we will focus on adding actual products later.

Adding Products to the Collection

Now, it's time to add the actual products offered by Fin Suite to the collection. Click on the "Plus" button to create a new item in the CMS collection. With each item representing a specific product, input the product details, including the name, description, and image. Repeat this process for each product offered by Fin Suite for Webflow.

Implementing the CMS on the Webflow Page

With the CMS collection and products set up, it's time to implement this collection on a Webflow page. Let's begin by creating a layout to showcase the products.

Creating the Layout

In the Webflow Designer, add a section and a container to the canvas, setting padding to provide spacing around the content. Ensure to name your sections and classes for organizational purposes.

Adding the CMS Collection

Next, add a collection list wrapper inside the container to display the CMS collection items. Choose the "Fin Suite Products for Webflow" as the source for the collection list. You can customize the layout to display the items in rows and columns as per your preference.

Customizing the CMS Collection Items

To display the product information, add a div block inside each CMS collection item. Within the div block, you can add an image, a heading for the product name, and a paragraph for the product description. By binding the fields to the respective elements, the product details from the CMS collection will be dynamically displayed for each item.

Styling the CMS Collection Items

Customize the appearance of the CMS collection items by adjusting the layout, typography, and adding visual enhancements. For example, you can add shadows, margins, and borders to create a visually appealing display of the products.

Finalizing the Layout

Once the CMS collection items are styled and organized, you can fine-tune the layout by adjusting the height, padding, and adding borders to create a clean and structured display of the products.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have completed the process of creating a CMS in Webflow from scratch. By following this step-by-step tutorial, you have learned how to set up a CMS collection, add products, and implement the collection on a Webflow page.

In the next video tutorial, we will provide an overview of the different tools available in the Fin Suite CMS Library for Webflow and demonstrate how to use them effectively for your CMS website. Stay tuned for more insights and practical guidance on building and managing your CMS using Webflow's powerful features.