Why does the colors and styles on a client website change when accessing it through Webflow Editor?
TL;DR
- Webflow Editor injects its own styles and scripts which can override site styles, cause font loading issues, or block custom code.
- These changes may also affect third-party scripts and show unpublished draft styles, so always check the live site for accurate styling.
If colors and styles look different when viewing a client’s site through Webflow Editor, it’s typically due to Editor-specific overlays or CSS conflicts.
1. Webflow Editor Injects Extra Styles
- Webflow Editor adds its own JavaScript and CSS overlays so editors can see inline controls for editing content.
- These injected styles may conflict with or override your site's styles depending on specificity or loading order.
2. Webfonts May Not Load Correctly
- The Editor environment can sometimes cause webfonts (like custom Google Fonts or Adobe Fonts) to load inconsistently.
- If fonts aren’t loading, fallback fonts may cause layout or color shifts.
3. CSS Variables or Custom Code May Be Skipped
- Custom code added in Page Settings or Site Settings (like variables in
<head>or</body>sections) might not fully execute inside the Editor view. - This can result in missing theming, colors, or JS-driven styling.
4. Unpublished Site Changes Displayed in Editor
- If an Editor user is logged in and viewing content that hasn’t been published, they may see a version of the site with draft changes, which may include altered styles.
5. Third-Party Scripts May Behave Differently
- If your site relies on design-related external libraries or third-party widgets, those may behave differently or fail in the Editor due to DOM manipulation blockages by the Editor script.
Summary
Webflow Editor alters page structure temporarily to allow inline editing, which can interfere with or override styles. This includes injected CSS, fonts not loading, or custom code being skipped. Always compare the live published site when resolving styling discrepancies.