Can I build a Webflow site that pulls content from my own CMS through an API (JSON or XML)?
TL;DR
- Webflow doesn't support native external API integration, but you can use client-side JavaScript in Embed elements to fetch external data at runtime.
- For better control and avoiding CORS issues, use middleware like Netlify Functions, or sync data into Webflow CMS via tools like Zapier; for full dynamic control, consider exporting and hosting the site externally.
You cannot natively pull data from an external CMS API (JSON or XML) into Webflow directly on their visual designer or CMS, but there are workarounds using external tools and scripts.
1. Use Webflow Designer for Static Layouts
- Webflow Designer is primarily a visual tool for designing static and CMS-driven sites using Webflow’s native CMS.
- Webflow does not support dynamic external API calls in the Designer or the native CMS collection fields.
2. Use Embed Components with Custom JavaScript
- Use the Embed component (
</>in the Add panel) to insert JavaScript that fetches data from your API at runtime. - Content can be injected into the DOM using standard JavaScript methods like
fetchorXMLHttpRequest. - Be aware that this content is loaded client-side, so it will not be available to search engines by default (no server-side rendering).
3. Use a Proxy Server or Middleware
- To get around CORS issues and better control the API integration, you can use a proxy server (e.g., Cloudflare Workers, Netlify Functions, or AWS Lambda).
- Your middleware fetches external CMS data and serves it with the proper headers.
4. Integrate via Third-Party Tools
- Use Zapier, Make (Integromat), or n8n to schedule or trigger data sync from your CMS API into Webflow CMS using Webflow’s API.
- This creates real CMS Collection Items in Webflow from your external system.
- Works well if content doesn’t need to be real-time, as it effectively “migrates” content periodically.
5. Consider Full External Hosting (for Full Control)
- If your project depends heavily on dynamic external content, you may want to host your site outside Webflow using tools like Next.js or other Jamstack approaches.
- You could then replicate the Webflow design via exported code and fully control API integration.
Summary
Webflow can’t natively integrate real-time external CMS content via API, but you can use client-side JavaScript, middleware, or use Webflow's CMS API via tools like Zapier to sync the data. For truly dynamic API-driven apps, consider exporting your Webflow design and using a developer-controlled hosting environment.