How can I create a blog on my Webflow site and what are the necessary steps?
TL;DR
- Create a CMS Collection for blog posts with custom fields like title, content, image, date, and tags.
- Populate the collection with sample posts, design the blog post template and listing pages using Collection Lists, link items for navigation, and publish the site.
To create a blog in Webflow, you’ll use the CMS (Content Management System) feature, which allows you to manage dynamic blog content efficiently.
1. Set Up a CMS Collection
- Go to the CMS panel in your Designer (click the database icon).
- Click “+ New Collection” and name it something like “Blog Posts.”
- Add necessary fields such as:
- Name (Title)
- Slug
- Rich Text for the main content
- Image for featured image
- Date/Time for publication date
- Switch for featured posts (optional)
- Multi-reference for categories or tags (optional)
- Create the Collection to finish.
2. Populate Blog Content
- In the CMS panel, click your new collection (e.g., Blog Posts).
- Click “+ New Blog Post” and manually add sample blog entries.
- You can later add dynamic content via Zapier, the Webflow Editor, or third-party forms.
3. Create a Blog Template Page
- Go to the Pages panel and scroll to “CMS Collection Pages.”
- Click the template page for your Blog Posts collection.
- Use Collection List elements to bind data like headings, images, and body text fields.
- Style the layout of individual blog posts here. This template automatically applies to all blog posts.
4. Design a Blog Listing Page
- Create a new static page (e.g., “Blog”) under Pages.
- Drag in a Collection List element and connect it to “Blog Posts.”
- Use filters or sorts to show only recent posts or featured posts.
- Include pagination if desired under the Collection List settings.
5. Link Blog Items for Navigation
- On the listing page, wrap your blog post preview in a Link Block.
- Set the link to navigate to the current blog post using the “Current Blog Post” option.
- Add a link to your Blog page in the navbar or footer for easier access.
6. Publish Your Site
- Once the blog is designed and content is added, click "Publish" to push the updates live.
- Your CMS-hosted blog is now live and ready to be updated easily.
Summary
To create a blog in Webflow, build a CMS Collection for blog posts, design the template and listing pages, populate them with content, and publish. This setup lets you manage blog posts efficiently and display them dynamically across your site.