What are the limitations of Webflow's CMS, including the maximum number of references, items per collection, and collection items per project? How can these limitations be bypassed with a higher hosting plan?

Webflow's CMS offers a great set of features, but it does have certain limitations that users should be aware of. These limitations include the maximum number of references, items per collection, and collection items per project.

1. Maximum Number of References:
In Webflow's CMS, each reference field can have up to 1,000 items referred to it. This limitation is in place to ensure optimal performance and prevent potential issues with large datasets. If you have a collection where you need to reference more than 1,000 items, you'll need to find an alternative solution. One possible workaround is to create multiple collections with smaller sets of referenced items and use custom code or CMS filters to achieve the desired functionality.

2. Items per Collection:
Each Webflow CMS plan has a limit on the number of items per collection. The limits are as follows:

- CMS Lite plan: 2,000 items per collection
- CMS Pro plan: 10,000 items per collection
- CMS Business plan: 10,000 items per collection

If you reach the item limit for a collection, you'll need to upgrade your hosting plan to increase the limit. Upgrading to a higher plan will give you a higher item limit and allow you to add more items to your collections.

3. Collection Items per Project:
Webflow places a maximum limit on the total number of collection items allowed in a project. This includes all collections combined. The limits are as follows:

- CMS Lite plan: 10,000 collection items
- CMS Pro plan: 50,000 collection items
- CMS Business plan: 20,000 collection items (coming soon)

If you reach the collection item limit for your project, you'll need to either delete unused items or upgrade your hosting plan to increase the limit. Upgrading to a higher plan will give you a higher collection item limit and allow you to add more items to your project.

By upgrading your hosting plan to a higher tier, you can bypass these limitations and unlock higher thresholds for references, items per collection, and collection items per project. It's important to note that increasing these limits may have an impact on performance, so it's crucial to optimize your design and structure your collections efficiently to ensure smooth website operation.

Remember to check Webflow's official website or contact their support to get the most up-to-date information on these limitations and how they may have evolved since this answer.