It isn't surprising that Webflow has become the go-to tool for Web Developers here at Capicua because of its features for quickly building straightforward websites. Yet many believe its capabilities end in the Front-end and don't allow us to create more complex websites. Sometimes, experimenting with a new website builder can feel like arriving in a new world, like when humans first reached Pandora, the Na'vi's world.
In this blog post, you'll learn the way of Webflow back-end and become one with it so you can thrive and offer your users websites that feel out of this world.
What is Webflow?
Before diving more into Webflow, you must understand what it is and how it works as a whole. We have extensive knowledge in the matter, but for starters, Webflow is an online platform that can enable you to build impressive websites in a straightforward way. Therefore, almost anyone with a basic understanding of Web Development can build stunning websites in the blink of an eye.
Webflow's CMS is vast and diverse, offering layers of functionalities, flexibility, and customization tools, allowing you to build rich User-Centered experiences with HTML, CSS, and Javascript’s power. Webflow is undoubtedly a blank canvas for creativity and imagination, allowing its users to create something unique and beautiful.
How Does Webflow Work?
Webflow tailors to build functional interfaces without having extensive knowledge of Programming Languages or frameworks. Nonetheless, a functional interface often requires more than just an impressive User Interface. It also needs a back-end to include servers, data storage, and user logic. By now, you should probably be wondering, “How do I integrate all these technologies and services to give more functionalities and dynamism to my custom website”?
As the whole Webflow’s idea is not to “code” (at all), you have to integrate back-end services using different third-party services. Let’s take a look at them.
Platforms to Integrate back-end Services to Webflow
1. Byteline
Byteline is a no-code platform that integrates with Webflow Content Management System (CMS), allowing users to trigger a flow on creating, updating, or deleting items. Byteline integrates back-end Services into Webflow websites. You can invoke its services like Application Programming Interface (API) Connector, which allows you to enter an API URL to access the data from the database via a simple HTTP code using a simple form.
Byteline and Webflow can work together to enhance the functionality and capabilities of Webflow CMS, making it even more powerful and flexible for users.
2. back-endless
back-endless is another no-code development platform that provides visual databases, APIs, and Serverless Hosting. You can integrate it with Webflow to add app-like functionalities to your sites. It fills in all the back-end gaps in a Webflow project, offering a range of pre-built or even own-built APIs. Using it lets you add dynamism to your site, making it more versatile and capable of handling complex tasks.
3. Airtable
Airtable is a Cloud-based Spreadsheet and Database Management System used to integrate back-end services to store data and content. Webflow has a built-in database known as CMS Collections, which stores content you reference dynamically on the Front-end.
4. Dev Acceleration
Dev Acceleration is a set of tools, programs, and methodologies to speed up the Software Development process and enhance developer productivity. It's a new breed of platform that bridges the gap between no-code and engineering. Dev Acceleration platforms can unlock back-end Engineering superpowers and build entire back-ends to power any digital application, including Webflow sites.
Depending on the query type you’re looking to add to your website, you can use several other platforms. For example, Stripe and Memberstack. Stripe is a payment processing platform that you can integrate to accept payments. On the other hand, Memberstack is a membership platform that you can use to manage user access and user authentication.
Final Thoughts
If you thought Webflow was useful only for creating rich and beautiful User Interfaces, you were just looking at the tip of the iceberg. However, if you want to deliver a more powerful Web App you must use third-party tools, which is a wonderful trait that not every low-code development tool has. I must highlight that all the platforms I mentioned are an extension of Webflow’s Front-end superpowers that will get take your product to another level.
Our human-centered approach and hard-earned reputation make us able to deliver successful, top-notch, and stunning products. Whether you're looking to move from an idea into a business or thinking of new iterations for your product, our UX-focused Custom Software Development company is here to help. Feel free to
reach out, and
let's shape the future together!
