How to Add a Topic Filter to Your Webflow Blog

Adding custom filters to your resource centre or blog is a fantastic way to improve navigation and user experience.

By enabling visitors to filter content by topics, you make it easier for them to find what they’re looking for and keep them engaged with your site.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to implement a simple filtering system in Webflow using Finsweet CMS Filtering.

Why Use Filters?

Filters make your content more accessible by allowing users to browse specific categories or topics. They:

Improve User Experience: Simplify navigation and help users find relevant content faster.
Increase Engagement: Keep visitors exploring your site by guiding them to content that matches their interests.
Enhance Organisation: Present your blog content in a structured and intuitive way.

Start by integrating the Finsweet CMS Filter functionality into your Webflow project.

Copy the following script and paste it into the <head> section of your Webflow site in the Custom Code settings:

<!-- [Attributes by Finsweet] CMS Filter --><script async src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/@finsweet/attributes-cmsfilter@1/cmsfilter.js"></script>

Ensure your blog content is set up in a Webflow CMS collection. Include a field for the topics or categories you want to filter by. For example:

Title (Plain Text): The title of the blog post.
Topic (Plain Text or Multi-Reference): The category or topic of the content.
Thumbnail Image (Image): A small preview image.

Add a Collection List:
- Drag a Collection List onto your page.
- Bind it to your CMS collection (e.g., Blog Posts).
Add the Required Attributes for Filtering:
- Select the Collection List Wrapper element and add the following attribute:
  - Name: fs-cmsfilter-element
  - Value: list
Design the Filter UI:
- Add a Form Block to your page to act as the container for your filter elements.
- Add the following attribute to the Form Block:
  - Name: fs-cmsfilter-element
  - Value: filters
- Inside the Form Block, add a Radio Button, Checkbox, or Dropdown for each topic or category you want to filter by.
- For each filter element, add the following attribute:
  - Name: fs-cmsfilter-field
  - Value: The identifier for the corresponding CMS field (e.g., topics).
Link Filter Elements to CMS Items:
- Inside your Collection Item template, add the same identifier to the dynamic text element that matches the CMS field.
  - Example: Add fs-cmsfilter-field="topics" to a text block that displays the topic.
Optional: Add a "Clear All" Button:
- Add a Button element to reset the filters.
- Add the following attribute to the button:
  - Name: fs-cmsfilter-clear
  - Value: Leave blank.

Style the filter UI to match your site’s design. For example:
- Arrange filters in a horizontal or vertical layout.
- Add hover or active states to indicate when a filter is selected.
Style the Collection List to create a clean and user-friendly display for your blog posts.

Test the Filters:
- Preview your site and select different filters to ensure they work correctly.
- Test the "Clear All" button to confirm it resets the filters.
Check Responsiveness:
- Make sure the filtering system looks and functions well on all devices, including desktop, tablet, and mobile.
Adjust as Needed:
- Refine the layout, styling, or filter options based on user feedback.

Keep Filters Simple: Limit the number of options to avoid overwhelming users.
Use Descriptive Labels: Ensure filter names are clear and easy to understand.
Optimise for Speed: Use lightweight images and efficient CMS settings to keep your site fast.
Highlight Popular Topics: Feature the most-searched categories at the top of the filter list.

By following these steps, you can create a custom filtering system that improves navigation and enhances the user experience on your blog.

With Finsweet CMS Filtering, you’ll have a dynamic and intuitive way to showcase your content and keep visitors engaged.