Can anyone advise on how to link an existing external database to a Webflow site?

To connect an external database to a Webflow site, you'll need to use third-party tools or APIs, since Webflow doesn’t support native database connections or server-side logic. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Choose the Right Integration Method

• Use a No-Code Middleware Platform: Tools like Make (Integromat), Zapier, Xano, or Parabola let you connect external databases (like Airtable, MySQL via Xano) with Webflow.
• Use Custom Code with Webflow's Embed Element: For more control, you can use JavaScript with API calls to your external database’s REST API.
• Use Webflow CMS as a Frontend: Structure your CMS to mirror your external data, then sync using automation tools.

2. Build and Secure an API for Your Database

• If your database is not already accessible via API, expose it using platforms like:
• Xano (database + REST API, no code)
• Supabase (PostgreSQL + realtime API)
• Firebase (for NoSQL/Realtime DBs)
• Secure your API with authentication (e.g., API keys, OAuth) to prevent unauthorized access.

3. Use a Tool to Sync or Fetch Data

• To Sync Data into Webflow CMS:

• Use Make or Zapier to create automation that pulls data from your external DB and pushes it into Webflow CMS items.

• Be aware of Webflow’s CMS limits (2000 items max per collection).

• To Fetch Data Live on the Frontend:

• Add a Custom Code Embed in your page (inside a component like a div).

• Use JavaScript fetch() to GET data from your API.

• Example use cases: displaying external listings, user reviews, or product feeds.

4. Display the Data Dynamically

• For CMS-synced data: Use Webflow’s Collection Lists to display content.
• For live API data: Use plain HTML elements (like a table or cards) edited via JavaScript after page load.

5. Handle CORS and Rate Limits

• Ensure your external API has CORS enabled for your Webflow domain; otherwise, browser fetches will fail.
• Be mindful of API rate limits to avoid outages or blocked requests.

Summary

You can connect an external database to Webflow by exposing your database via an API and then either syncing it to Webflow’s CMS using tools like Make or displaying it live on the frontend using custom JavaScript with fetch(). Choose the method based on whether you need real-time data updates or CMS-stored content.