How can you configure a link to enable direct calling from a phone number stored in a Webflow CMS collection?

/ / Published in Web Development, EITC/WD/WFCE Webflow CMS and eCommerce, CMS Collection fields, Phone field overview, Examination review

To configure a link that enables direct calling from a phone number stored in a Webflow CMS collection, one must understand the intricacies of Webflow's CMS capabilities, the HTML protocol for telephone links, and the best practices for ensuring a seamless user experience. This process involves creating a CMS collection, adding a phone number field, and then linking this field to a clickable element that initiates a phone call when clicked. This configuration is particularly useful for businesses and services that rely on direct communication via phone calls.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Creating a CMS Collection

Firstly, you need to create a CMS collection within Webflow that will store your phone numbers. This involves the following steps:

1. Access the CMS Collections Panel: Navigate to the CMS Collections panel in your Webflow project.
2. Create a New Collection: Click on the 'Create New Collection' button.
3. Define Collection Fields: When setting up your collection, you need to define the necessary fields. For this purpose, you will need at least one field for the phone number. You can name this field "Phone Number" and set its type to "Plain Text" or "Phone" if available.

2. Adding Phone Numbers to the Collection

Once your collection is set up, you can start adding items to it:

1. Add a New Item: Click on 'New Item' to add a new entry to your collection.
2. Input the Phone Number: Enter the phone number in the designated field. Ensure that the phone number is in an appropriate format, typically including the country code (e.g., +1 for the United States).

3. Creating a Dynamic List or Template

Next, you need to create a dynamic list or a template page that will display the phone numbers:

1. Add a Dynamic List: Drag a 'Collection List' element onto your page from the Add Elements panel.
2. Bind the Collection List to Your Collection: In the settings panel, bind the collection list to the CMS collection you created earlier.
3. Add a Text Element: Within the collection item, add a text element that will display the phone number. Bind this text element to the phone number field in your collection.

4. Creating a Clickable Phone Link

To make the phone number clickable and enable direct calling, you need to use the `tel:` protocol in combination with Webflow's link settings:

1. Add a Link Block: Drag a 'Link Block' element into your collection item.
2. Nest the Text Element: Place the text element (that displays the phone number) inside the link block.
3. Set the Link Settings: With the link block selected, go to the settings panel. In the URL field, type `tel:` followed by the dynamic phone number field. This should look something like `tel:+1234567890`.

5. Using Custom Code for Enhanced Flexibility

For more advanced configurations or if you encounter limitations with Webflow's built-in options, you can use custom code to achieve the same result:

1. Embed an HTML Element: Drag an 'Embed' element into your collection item.
2. Write Custom HTML: In the custom code editor, write the following HTML code:

html
    <a href="tel:+1234567890">Call Us</a>

Replace `+1234567890` with the dynamic field value from your CMS collection. To insert the dynamic value, use Webflow's CMS field
<a href="tel:{{wf {&quot;path&quot;:&quot;phone-number&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;PlainText&quot;} }}">Call Us</a>


   Ensure that the field path matches the slug of your phone number field.

#### 6. Testing the Configuration

After setting up the link, it is important to test it to ensure it works correctly across different devices and browsers:

1. **Preview the Site**: Use Webflow’s preview mode to test the functionality.
2. **Test on Mobile Devices**: Since the primary use case for `tel:` links is mobile devices, ensure you test the link on various smartphones and tablets.
3. **Cross-Browser Testing**: Make sure the link works on different web browsers to ensure compatibility.

### Best Practices

To enhance the user experience and ensure the reliability of your phone links, consider the following best practices:

1. **International Format**: Always use the international format for phone numbers, including the country code. This ensures that the number can be dialed correctly from different regions.
2. **Consistent Formatting**: Maintain a consistent format for phone numbers across your site to avoid confusion.
3. **Accessibility**: Ensure that the phone link is accessible. Use descriptive link text that clearly indicates the action (e.g., "Call Us" instead of just displaying the number).
4. **Styling**: Style the link to make it visually distinct as a clickable element. Use CSS to change the link color, add hover effects, and ensure it aligns with your site's design.
5. **SEO Considerations**: While `tel:` links do not directly impact SEO, ensuring your site is user-friendly and accessible can contribute to overall user satisfaction and indirectly benefit your SEO efforts.

### Example Implementation

Here is a practical example of how you can implement the phone link in Webflow:

1. **CMS Collection Setup**:

    - Collection Name: Contacts
    - Fields: 
        - Name: Plain Text
        - Phone Number: Plain Text

2. **Dynamic List on a Page**:

html
<div class="collection-list">
<div class="collection-item">
<a href="tel:{{wf {&quot;path&quot;:&quot;phone-number&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;PlainText&quot;} }}" class="phone-link">
{{wf {&quot;path&quot;:&quot;phone-number&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;PlainText&quot;} }}
</a>
</div>
</div>


3. **Custom CSS for Styling**:

css
.phone-link {
color: #007BFF;
text-decoration: none;
}

.phone-link:hover {
text-decoration: underline;
}
[enlighter]

By following these steps and best practices, you can effectively configure a link in Webflow that enables direct calling from a phone number stored in a CMS collection. This functionality is essential for businesses that rely on phone communication, providing a seamless and user-friendly experience for website visitors.

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