Insights and Inspiration – The Hostnicker Blog

How to Design Custom Collection Lists in Webflow

February 12, 2024

To design custom collection lists in Webflow, follow these steps for a seamless creation process.

Step 1: Create a Collection
Start by opening your Webflow Designer and accessing the CMS tab from the left sidebar. Click on the New Collection button. Name your collection, such as Blog Posts or Portfolio Items, and add fields like title, description, image, and date. After setting up the fields, create the collection.

Step 2: Add Items to Your Collection
Once you have your collection, begin adding content. Select your collection in the CMS panel and click New Item. Fill in the fields with relevant information for each entry, repeating the process to populate your collection.

Step 3: Add a Collection List to Your Page
Navigate to the page where you want the collection list. Use the Add panel represented by a plus sign in the left sidebar. Under the CMS section, find Collection List and drag it onto your page.

Step 4: Connect the Collection List to Your Collection
After placing the Collection List, a prompt will appear. Choose your collection from the dropdown menu. A Collection Item will display within the Collection List.

Step 5: Design the Collection List Item
Click on the Collection Item to start designing each item’s appearance. Include elements like headings, text blocks, and images. Bind these elements to your collection fields by selecting an element and using the settings panel to connect it to a desired field. Customize the design with fonts, colors, sizes, and spacing.

Step 6: Arranging and Styling Collection List
With the Collection List selected, use the Layout section in the right sidebar to choose between a grid or list format. Adjust spacing and alignment for a professional look. Utilize responsive view options in the top bar to ensure your design looks great on all devices.

Step 7: Preview and Publish
Regularly preview your design using the eye icon in the top left corner. Once satisfied, publish your work by clicking the Publish button in the upper right corner.

Step 8: Dynamic Filtering and Sorting (Optional)
To enhance your collection list, add dynamic filters and sorting. In the Settings panel, select your Collection List and set conditions to display items according to specific criteria. Allow users to sort by fields like date or name if applicable.

Step 9: Conclusion
With these steps, you have effectively created a custom collection list in Webflow. This boosts your site's functionality and user engagement by elegantly presenting dynamic content. Continuously experiment with interactions and animations for an even more captivating design. Enjoy the creative freedom Webflow offers to develop websites that express your unique style.