Can I remove the CMS from the Webflow template I purchased in order to use basic hosting instead? I'm unable to delete the collections for it.

You can remove the CMS features from a Webflow template, but to use Basic Hosting, you must delete all CMS content—including Collections, Collection Pages, and CMS-bound elements. If you're unable to delete the Collections, it’s likely because some CMS connections still exist.

1. Understand Hosting Requirements

• Basic Hosting can only be used if your project has no CMS features.
• If any Collections, Collection Pages, CMS-bound elements, or dynamic lists remain, Webflow will require CMS Hosting instead.

2. Why You Can’t Delete Collections

• You can only delete a Collection once it is no longer referenced in the project.
• Common references include:
• CMS-bound Collection Lists on static pages
• Collection Pages (e.g., blog post templates auto-generated by the CMS)
• CMS connections in components like lightboxes, link blocks, or image elements

3. Steps to Remove All CMS Content

To completely remove CMS features from a template project:

• Delete Collection Lists:
  Go through every page (static pages, symbols, etc.) and delete any Collection List elements. Check hidden sections or display settings as well.

• Disconnect Dynamic Elements:
  Look for UI elements (like text blocks, image wrappers, etc.) that use purple-colored bind icons—this means they’re connected to the CMS. Disconnect or delete them.

• Remove Collection Pages:
  In the Pages panel, find the auto-generated Collection Pages (e.g., “Blog Post,” “Projects”). Delete each Collection Page first before deleting its Collection.

• Delete All Collections:
  Go to CMS → Collections, click into each Collection, and then click Delete—if the delete option is grayed out, there's still a reference somewhere that needs to be removed.

4. Check for Symbols & Hidden Elements

• CMS elements can also hide in Symbols, display:none elements, or interactions.
• Edit all Symbols and inspect their contents to locate any CMS-linked elements.

5. Try Using the “Clean Up” Feature

• Webflow will sometimes allow you to press “Clean Up” in the Assets or CMS settings to remove unused or unlinked items. This doesn’t remove all CMS features, but it can help.

Summary

To switch a CMS template to Basic Hosting, you must remove all CMS content, including Collections, Collection Pages, and any dynamic bindings. If you’re unable to delete a Collection, recheck every page, symbol, and component for CMS connections and remove them first. Once everything is disconnected, you'll be able to delete the Collections and downgrade to Basic Hosting.