3 Webflow mistakes you should avoid (to save you time and money)

Webflow has become a go-to platform for designers and developers to create beautiful and responsive websites without the need for coding. However, like any tool, it's essential to use it correctly to maximize your efficiency and avoid mistakes. In this blog post, we'll explore three common Webflow mistakes you should avoid to save both time and money.

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1) Not using a style guide

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One of the most common mistakes beginners make when using Webflow is not creating a style guide for their projects. Without a style guide, you can quickly find yourself in a web of confusion, facing issues like:

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- Confusing class names: Naming conventions become inconsistent, leading to difficulties in identifying and managing elements.

- Consistency issues: Your website's design lacks uniformity, making it look unprofessional and disorganized.

- Not scalable: As your project grows, making changes and updates becomes increasingly challenging.

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To overcome these issues, it's crucial to start every Webflow project with a style guide. A popular choice is the "Finsweet Client-First Style System," which offers:

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- Clear Class Naming System: This ensures that class names are intuitive and easy to manage.

- Ease of Management: A well-defined style guide makes it effortless to maintain design consistency.

- Scalability: Your project becomes scalable, allowing for smoother updates and expansions.

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Consider using frameworks like Client-First, Lumos, or Mast as a foundation for your Webflow builds. These frameworks incorporate best practices for styling and naming conventions, saving you time and reducing headaches during the design and development process.

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2) Not naming interactions

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Webflow's interactions panel is a powerful tool for adding animations and interactions to your website. However, it can quickly become cluttered if you don't organize it properly. To keep things in order, make it a habit to name your interactions.

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Here's a simple strategy you can follow:

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- Emoji of the Breakpoint (Mobile or Desktop): Start by indicating the target device for the interaction.

- Component: Specify the component or element the interaction is associated with.

- Interaction: Describe the interaction itself.

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For example, you might name an interaction as follows:

 💻 - Popup [SHOW]. 

This naming convention provides clarity and makes it easy to set interactions quickly for different sections and breakpoints on your website.

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3) Not using components

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Another common mistake is not utilizing Webflow's component feature effectively. Before starting a new project, take the time to identify sections that will be used multiple times throughout your site and create components for them. 

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For example, I create components for:

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- The page structure; It includes: page wrapper > navbar > main wrapper > footer

- The section structure; it includes: container > vertical padding > global padding

- The page header/hero

- CTA section

- Navbar

- Footer

- FAQ

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Once you've created these components, you can easily access them using the cmd+E shortcut, allowing you to insert them wherever needed. This not only saves you time but also ensures consistency in your design.

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In Summary

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To make the most of Webflow and save both time and money, remember these key takeaways:

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👉🏼 Use a class-naming strategy: Start every project with a style guide to ensure clear and consistent class names.

👉🏼 Name your interactions: Keep your interactions panel organized for efficient design.

👉🏼 Use components: Create components for reusable elements to streamline your workflow.

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By avoiding these common Webflow mistakes and following best practices, you'll gain time and create amazing websites more efficiently.