Pexels

How to integrate Pexels with Webflow

Integrating Pexels with Webflow enhances your design workflow by providing instant access to professional media content. While Pexels doesn't offer an official Webflow app, you can leverage  Code embeds for quick image placement, manual workflows for curated content selection, or build custom integrations using the Pexels API for dynamic media management and automated content updates.

Use manual upload workflow

The simplest way to add Pexels content to Webflow involves downloading images from Pexels and uploading them to your Webflow project. Visit Pexels.com, search for your desired content, and download images in the appropriate resolution. Then upload these assets through Webflow's Asset Panel or directly into image elements.

This method works well for:

• Static hero images that won't change frequently
• Background visuals for sections and containers
• Portfolio pieces where you need specific, curated content

Remember to add photographer attribution in your image alt text or caption, following the format "Photo by [Photographer Name] on Pexels" to maintain compliance with Pexels' licensing terms.

Use Code Embeds and direct linking

For faster implementation without downloading, you can embed Pexels images directly using Code Embed elements. Copy the image URL from Pexels, then add a Code Embed component in Webflow with the following structure:

This approach enables:

• Quick prototyping with placeholder images during design phases
• Dynamic image updates by changing URLs in embed code
• Reduced asset storage in your Webflow project

Configure responsive behavior by adding CSS classes to your embed elements, ensuring images scale properly across devices. Use Webflow's built-in lazy loading features to optimize page performance.

Build with Webflow and Pexels APIs

Direct Webflow and Pexels API integration enables dynamic content management and real-time media updates. This approach requires server-side implementation through platforms like Netlify Functions or AWS Lambda, as Webflow doesn't execute backend code directly.

The Pexels API provides comprehensive access to their media library through RESTful endpoints. By default, each API key supports up to 200 requests per hour (20,000 per month), with higher limits available upon approval.

Key capabilities include searching photos and videos, accessing curated content, and managing collections programmatically.

Create dynamic image galleries

Build self-updating galleries that pull fresh content from Pexels based on search criteria or curated collections:

1. Set up serverless functions to handle Pexels API calls securely without exposing API keys
2. Implement search functionality using the Pexels Search endpoint with parameters for orientation, size, color, and locale
3. Sync with Webflow CMS by creating collection items for each image, storing URLs, photographer info, and metadata

The search endpoint supports filters like orientation=landscape, size=large, and color=red, enabling precise content selection. Store image URLs in Webflow CMS text fields, then bind these to image elements dynamically.

Automate content updates

Implement scheduled content refreshes to keep your site visually fresh:

1. Configure webhook endpoints in your serverless environment to receive triggers
2. Query curated content via the Pexels Curated endpoint for editorially selected images
3. Update Webflow collections using the Webflow CMS API to modify existing items with new image URLs

The curated endpoint returns editorially selected photos. Since API responses are cached for up to 24 hours, implement a caching strategy in your middleware to avoid unnecessary requests and to respect rate limits.

Build advanced search interfaces

Create custom search experiences within Webflow sites:

1. Deploy search UI using Webflow's custom code capabilities to capture user queries
2. Process searches through your serverless function, leveraging Pexels' 28-language support via the locale parameter
3. Display results dynamically by updating Webflow elements or generating new collection items

The API returns multiple image sizes through the src object, including original, large2x, large, medium, small, portrait, landscape, and tiny variants. Select appropriate sizes based on your layout requirements to optimize loading performance.

What you can build

Integrating Pexels with Webflow opens possibilities for creating visually rich, dynamically updated websites without the overhead of managing media libraries.

• Portfolio websites with fresh inspiration: Automatically refresh portfolio backgrounds or mood boards with curated photography, keeping creative showcases current without manual updates
• E-commerce stores with lifestyle imagery: Enhance product pages with contextual lifestyle photos pulled from Pexels searches, creating immersive shopping experiences without expensive photoshoots
• Content-rich blogs with automated imagery: Generate relevant hero images for blog posts based on categories or tags, ensuring every article has professional visuals while maintaining attribution compliance
• Landing pages with A/B tested visuals: Test different hero images from Pexels collections to optimize conversion rates, swapping imagery programmatically based on performance data