Can You Export Code From Webflow? (And When Shuld We Do It)

Many Webflow users, both current and prospective, often ask whether it's possible to export code from a Webflow-developed site. The short answer is: yes. You can export your code, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, even if you're using one of the free plans—although the features and options may differ slightly depending on your plan.

Webflow's platform is praised for generating clean, semantic code, allowing designers to create without needing to write the code manually. Once you're ready to export your project, Webflow packages everything into static code, ready for use across various platforms.

However, when you export code from Webflow, you lose certain platform-specific benefits, such as the CMS and Editor functionalities, which are crucial to many users who rely on Webflow for content management. If you're considering exporting your code, it's essential to understand both the benefits and the limitations that come with it.

Steps to Export Webflow Code

Exporting your Webflow code is a simple process. Here’s how you can do it:

Open your project in Webflow Designer.
Click the export icon in the upper-right corner of the interface.
Webflow will prepare a ZIP file containing your HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and images.
Download the file and use it as needed.

The process is typically quick, although for larger, more complex websites, it may take a few extra moments to compile the code.

Can You Export Webflow Code on Free Plans?

Exporting code is primarily reserved for premium workspace users, but if you're on a free plan and meet specific criteria, such as being a student at an accredited institution, you may be able to access some premium features. If this applies to you, follow the same steps to export the code.

For those on a completely free plan, it’s still possible to export the code by publishing the site and copying the source code directly from the browser. However, this process is much more tedious and lacks the convenience of Webflow's built-in export feature.

What’s Included in the Webflow Code Export?

When exporting code from Webflow, you receive a variety of assets:

HTML: Includes all single pages and templates for collections.
CSS: In addition to Webflow’s custom CSS, the exported package includes Normalize.css.
JavaScript: All necessary JS files for interactions and animations are included. If certain JS functionalities are unnecessary for your project, you can remove them to optimize performance.
Images: All media library images are exported as well.

Additionally, Webflow exports include remote scripts and libraries such as jQuery, polyfills for older browsers like IE9, and Google Web Fonts.

What’s Not Included in a Webflow Code Export?

Exporting your Webflow code has limitations, particularly when it comes to features tied to Webflow’s APIs. These include:

eCommerce features
Website search
Form handling
Password protection

Additionally, while Webflow generates individual HTML pages for collection templates, it doesn’t export dynamic collection data. This means you won’t get individual pages for every item in a collection. You’ll need to recreate or import your collection data manually when using the exported code.

Why Export Code From Webflow?

There are several reasons to export your Webflow code:

Static Hosting: Platforms like Vercel, Cloudflare Pages, AWS Amplify, and Netlify allow for hosting static websites. Exported Webflow code is perfect for deploying to these services without requiring major changes.
Customization: Developers can take the exported code and integrate it into larger projects, adding more dynamic functionalities that go beyond what Webflow offers.
Building Web Apps: With proper adjustments, you can use Webflow’s exported code as the foundation for web apps. This allows more flexibility when integrating custom APIs or features outside of Webflow’s native capabilities.

Maximizing the Use of Exported Webflow Code

Exporting code from Webflow opens up new possibilities for how you can use and customize your website. If you need expert help in exporting or working with Webflow code, you can reach out to Flow Samurai for professional assistance. At Flow Samurai, we specialize in optimizing Webflow exports, integrating them with other platforms, and enhancing your site’s performance and functionality.

For more detailed insights, check out some of our related articles:

Additionally, explore our free resources for templates, checklists, and tips on how to make the most of your Webflow projects!

‍