Framer CMS is a great tool that simplifies creating content for your website.
One of the key functionalities that can significantly enhance user experience on any website is a filter system.
This blog post will guide you through the process of building an efficient filter system in Framer CMS, explaining its importance, and offering a step-by-step guide to implementation in Framer.
Understanding The Framer CMS
What is Framer CMS?
Framer CMS (content management system) within the Framer platform is designed to streamline the process of building and managing websites. It allows you to update your website content, such as blog posts, portfolio projects, team member information, and more, without dabbling in code.
Key Features and Benefits Of A Framer CMS
User-Friendly Interface: Framer CMS offers a highly intuitive interface, making it easy to create, edit, and manage content.
Real-Time Collaboration: Teams can collaborate in real-time, ensuring that updates and changes are synchronized seamlessly.
Dynamic Content Management: It allows for dynamic content updates, which means you can easily keep your site current and relevant without coding
The Need for a Filtering System in Framer CMS
What is a Filtering System and Why Do You Need One on Your Framer Website?
A filtering system enhances user experience by allowing visitors to easily find the content they are interested in.
By categorizing and filtering content, you can improve the overall accessibility of your site. Whether it’s filtering products in an online store or articles in a blog, a well-implemented filter system makes navigation intuitive and efficient.
Real-World Examples
E-commerce Sites
Users can filter products by category, price, and rating.
Blogs
Readers can filter articles by topic, date, or popularity.
Projects
Filter between different types of projects such as UI/UX, Motion Graphics, and Branding.
How to Build A Filter System in Framer CMS
Setting Up Your Framer CMS Environment
Start by opening your project in Framer.
Create a Collection
Navigate to the CMS panel and create a new collection for your content.
Add Fields
Define the necessary fields for your collection (e.g., title, description, category, tags). These tags will be used for filtering.
Add Content
Add your content that will appear on your website.
Creating The Filter tags
Next, you’ll need to create the tags. To do this, create a button with two variants:
Inactive State: The tag is not active on the current filter.
Active State: When a user presses this, the website will filter the content based on that tag.
Ensure each tag includes an “x” icon for users to deselect the tag. This allows them to remove the filter and return to the default view.
Making it work
Add your tags and your CMS collection in one component.
In the right-side panel, navigate to “Filters.” From here, select the field you want to filter by. Ensure the “Condition” is set to “Equal” and the value is the category you want to filter.
Create a new variant for each category. The idea is that when you click on each tag, it will move to the appropriate variant.
Testing and Optimizing Your Filter System
Test your filter system thoroughly to identify and fix any issues. Common problems include filters not updating correctly or performance issues with large datasets.
Ensure your filter system works well on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. A responsive design ensures that users have a positive experience regardless of their device.
Conclusion
Building an efficient filter system in Framer CMS can significantly enhance your website’s user experience. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can create a dynamic and responsive filter system that makes it easy for users to find the content they need.
FAQs
What are the limitations of using Framer CMS for filter systems? Framer CMS is powerful, but it may have limitations in filtering with multiple tags. It is possible but would require extensive work
Can I integrate third-party tools with my Framer CMS filter system? No, at the moment of writing this it’s not possible to integrate with third-party tools
How do I maintain and update my filter system as my content grows? Regularly review and update your CMS collections and filter criteria to ensure they remain relevant and efficient as your content library expands. Also ensure you tag your content the right way for the filters to work
