What effect is my prospect customer asking about on their current website when they want me to redesign it in Webflow?
TL;DR
- Ask the client to identify or show the specific visual effect they’re referring to (e.g., through a screen recording).
- Inspect how the effect was originally implemented (e.g., JavaScript, CSS libraries, plugins).
- Determine if Webflow can recreate it using native interactions or if custom code/embed is needed.
- Offer alternatives or embed original solutions if the effect can't be fully replicated natively.
If a prospect customer asks you about an "effect" on their current website during a Webflow redesign, they’re likely referring to a specific visual interaction or animation they want to preserve, enhance, or modify.
1. Identify the “Effect” in Question
- Ask for a specific example: Have them show you the exact page and describe when or how the effect appears (e.g., on scroll, hover, or button click).
- Screen recording: Request a short screen recording if they can’t describe it clearly.
- Effect examples may include:
- Parallax scrolling background
- Sticky headers
- Hover animations on buttons or images
- Slide-in elements on scroll
- Page transitions after clicking links
- Mouse-tracking effects (e.g., cursor-follow or tilt)
2. Inspect How It Was Implemented
- Use browser inspect tools (right-click → Inspect) to see if the effect involves:
- Custom JavaScript
- CSS libraries like Animate.css or AOS (Animate On Scroll)
- External plugins like jQuery sliders or carousels
- Lottie animations
- Note if the effect is script-dependent—this helps determine if it can be recreated using Webflow’s native tools or requires custom embeds.
3. Evaluate Webflow Rebuild Compatibility
- Most standard interactions (hover, scroll, load, click) can be rebuilt using Webflow Interactions & Animations.
- For more advanced effects:
- Custom code can be added via Embed elements or Project Settings → Custom Code.
- Effects requiring third-party libraries may need external hosting or adaptation.
- Lottie animations can be recreated using Webflow’s built-in Lottie support.
4. Suggest Alternatives If Needed
- If Webflow can’t natively replicate the effect:
- Recommend a visually similar alternative using built-in interactions.
- Or embed the same external library (e.g., use Swiper.js for sliders) manually.
Summary
When a client refers to an “effect,” they likely mean a visual interaction or animation. First, identify it clearly, inspect how it was implemented, evaluate Webflow’s ability to recreate it, and suggest equivalent solutions if necessary.