WhaleSync

How to integrate WhaleSync with Webflow

WhaleSync connects Webflow CMS with external databases and spreadsheets through bidirectional sync. Install from the Webflow Marketplace for visual configuration without code.

Use the WhaleSync app

Install WhaleSync from Webflow's Apps panel and connect through OAuth authentication. The visual interface handles field mapping, sync direction, and error monitoring.

Setup process:

1. Install WhaleSync from the Webflow Apps panel
2. Connect your external platform (Airtable, Notion, or Google Sheets) via OAuth
3. Map Webflow collections to tables in your external data source
4. Define field relationships through the visual interface
5. Activate synchronization

Supported field types

WhaleSync supports 18+ CMS field types bidirectionally, including multi-reference fields, rich text, images, date/time, and options. Item ID fields sync one-way only (read-only from Webflow).

Synthetic fields

WhaleSync adds special fields to control CMS item states (Published, Draft, Archived) and track record IDs and timestamps.

Publishing note: Changes synced through WhaleSync update CMS data, but don't automatically go live. You must manually publish your site in Webflow after syncing.

Build with Webflow APIs

For use cases requiring custom logic beyond WhaleSync's visual interface, build directly with Webflow's CMS API. This approach provides complete control over sync behavior but requires development resources.

Key endpoints:

• GET /v2/sites/:site_id/collections — List collections for mapping
• POST /v2/collections/:collection_id/items — Create CMS items
• PATCH /v2/collections/:collection_id/items — Bulk update up to 100 items per request

Rate limits

Webflow allows 60 requests/minute for Starter/Basic plans, 120 requests/minute for CMS/Business/Ecommerce plans. The publishing endpoint restricts to 1 publish/minute regardless of plan.

What you can build

Integrate WhaleSync with Webflow for real-time, two-way data synchronization that scales content operations without developer involvement.

• Event management platforms: Sync event databases from Airtable to Webflow Collections with speaker profiles, session schedules, and venue information. Updates propagate automatically when organizers modify spreadsheet data. Webflow uses this architecture internally for their Field Events Platform managing 30,000+ records.
• Programmatic SEO campaigns: Manage hundreds of location-specific landing pages or directory listings through spreadsheet-based workflows. Sync content from Airtable, Notion, or Google Sheets to Webflow CMS in real-time without manual page creation.
• Resource libraries: Manage documentation or help articles in Notion with collaborative editing, then sync approved content to Webflow CMS automatically.
• Directory and marketplace sites: Build member directories or vendor marketplaces where administrators manage profiles and categories in Airtable while maintaining design-focused Webflow storefronts.