Let’s face it, everyone loves a good testimonial slider. They’re engaging, add credibility, and clients adore them! But Webflow’s built-in slider can be a bit… basic. 😩 This guide will equip you to build a custom CMS testimonial slider that’s as smooth as butter, using the power of Swiper.js.
Why This Matters 🤔
Imagine this: you’re building a stunning website for a client, and they want a testimonial section that truly pops. A generic slider just won’t cut it. This is where your newfound knowledge comes in, allowing you to deliver a polished and professional result that wows. ✨
1. Laying the Foundation: CMS Setup 🏗️
First things first, we need a place to store all those glowing testimonials. Head over to your Webflow CMS and create a new collection called “Testimonials.” Add the following fields:
- Name: (Plain Text) for the person giving the testimonial
- Title: (Plain Text) for their professional title
- Quote: (Multi-Line Text) for the actual testimonial
- Logo: (Image) for their company logo
Pro Tip: Use Google Sheets to organize your testimonials and import them in bulk – a massive time-saver!
2. Building the Slider Structure: It’s Like Lego, But For Websites 🧱
Now, let’s build the slider’s skeleton. Add a new section to your page and insert a Collection List element, linked to your “Testimonials” collection.
Here’s the class structure you’ll need (think of it like nesting dolls):
- Outermost Wrapper:
swiper testimonials - Inner Wrapper:
swiper-wrapper - Individual Slide:
swiper-slide
Did You Know? Each element in your CMS collection will automatically inherit these classes, making styling a breeze! 💨
3. Styling with Flair: Making it Pretty (and Functional!) 🎨
Time to inject some personality! Style your slides with background colors, padding, and typography that align with your design. Remember to adjust the layout for different screen sizes using breakpoints.
Pro Tip: Use flexbox to easily position your content within each slide. It’s your layout best friend! 🤝
4. Swiper.js: Your Secret Weapon for Slider Magic ✨
Now for the magic ingredient: Swiper.js! Add the provided Swiper.js script to your page’s <head> tag and initialize it within a <script> tag in the <body>.
Customize your slider’s behavior using Swiper.js parameters. Here are a few key ones:
slidesPerView: Control how many slides are visible at once.spaceBetween: Add spacing between slides.loop: Make your slider infinitely loop.autoplay: Set your slider to automatically transition.
Remember: Experiment with different parameters to achieve the exact effect you desire!
5. Polishing Touches: Pagination and Active Slide Styling ✨
Let’s add some finishing touches:
- Pagination: Enable pagination dots by setting
pagination: { el: '.swiper-pagination', clickable: true },in your Swiper.js initialization. - Active Slide: Target the
swiper-slide-activeclass to style the currently active slide, making it stand out.
Pro Tip: Use custom CSS properties to easily modify the pagination’s appearance.
Resource Toolbox 🧰
- Webflow: https://webflow.com/ – Your go-to website builder.
- Swiper.js: https://swiperjs.com/ – The slider library that makes magic happen.
- Figma: https://figma.com/ – Design your slider layout visually.
- Google Sheets: https://sheets.google.com/ – Organize and import your testimonials with ease.
By following these steps, you’ll have a dynamic and visually appealing testimonial slider that elevates your Webflow projects. Go forth and create something amazing! 🎉
