How can I export and host a website built on Webflow and make a form work to send details to my client's email instead of using Webflow?
- Export your site code from Webflow as a ZIP and download it.
- Choose a third-party form handler like Formspree, Formsubmit, or Getform.
- Update the form's action attribute in the HTML with the endpoint from your chosen service and set method to "POST".
- Optionally add hidden inputs for redirects or customization.
- Upload the modified files to your hosting provider and test the form.
To export a Webflow site and enable form submissions without using Webflow’s form handling, you’ll need to export the code and configure a third-party form handling service for email delivery.
1. Export Your Webflow Site
- Go to your Webflow project and click on the Export icon (top-right corner in Designer).
- Click Prepare ZIP and then Download the exported HTML, CSS, JS, and Images.
- Webflow will strip out form functionality—they leave a placeholder for form actions but don’t process form data outside their hosting.
2. Choose a Third-Party Form Handling Service
You need a form backend to capture submissions and send emails to your client. Reliable options include:
- Formspree (https://formspree.io)
- FormSubmit (https://formsubmit.co)
- Getform (https://getform.io)
These services don’t require server-side code and work easily with exported HTML forms.
3. Update the Form’s Action Attribute
In your exported HTML file(s), find the form tag and change the action attribute to match the instructions from your chosen form service. For example:
- Formspree format:
Set action="https://formspree.io/f/yourFormID"
Add method="POST" and optionally an input with name="_replyto" for the sender’s email.
4. Optional: Add Hidden Inputs for Extra Functionality
Depending on the service, you can add hidden fields to:
- Redirect after submission (
<input type="hidden" name="_redirect" value="https://yoursite.com/thank-you">) - Customize subject lines or autoresponders
5. Upload to Your Own Hosting Provider
- Use an FTP client or your hosting provider’s panel to upload the exported files.
- Ensure the service you choose is correctly integrated and tested live.
Summary
To export your Webflow site and make forms send data to your client’s email:
- Export the code from Webflow
- Choose a third-party form handler like Formspree or Formsubmit
- Update your form's action URL in the HTML
- Host the modified files on your own server
This method bypasses Webflow’s form system and gives you full control over your hosting and submissions.
