Webflow is an incredible tool for custom web design, but if you’ve spent any time working with it, you’ve probably run into an issue that can drive even the most experienced Webflow developer up the wall—class conflicts.
Maybe you’re collaborating with a team, and someone unknowingly changes a style that was meant to stay the same. Or you reuse classes across multiple sections, only to realise that a small tweak has unexpectedly broken something elsewhere. Sound familiar?
Class conflicts can be frustrating, but they’re also common. The good news? They’re preventable. And even if you’re already dealing with a messy Webflow project, there are ways to fix it without pulling your hair out.
In this guide, we’ll break down why class conflicts happen, how to fix them, and how to prevent them in the future. Whether you’re running an agency offering custom web design services, working as a solo Webflow developer in Australia, or managing a team of Webflow experts, these strategies will help keep your projects clean, organised, and conflict-free.
In Webflow, every styled element gets a CSS class. This allows you to apply consistent styling across your site. The problem starts when multiple elements share the same class but need different styles.
Let’s say you have a class called .cta-button that’s supposed to have a blue background. But someone else working on the project uses the same class for a different button and changes the background to green. Suddenly, every instance of that class—across the entire site—turns green, even the ones that were meant to stay blue.
That’s a class conflict.
This kind of issue is especially frustrating when working on B2B websites, where brand consistency is key. And the larger the project, the more likely these problems will crop up.
There are a few common reasons class conflicts happen in Webflow:
Webflow makes it easy to reuse styles, but if you don’t have a clear naming convention, it’s easy to overwrite styles without realising it.
Global classes apply site-wide, while combo classes allow slight variations. If you don’t use them correctly, your styles may unexpectedly override each other.
Copying elements from one page to another can save time, but Webflow keeps the original class names. If you don’t rename them, you could unintentionally break other parts of your design.
When multiple Webflow developers work on the same project without a clear class naming system, conflicts are bound to happen.
You might have a .heading class for your main titles, but someone else applies .heading to a smaller subtitle and changes the font size. Now, your typography is all over the place.
If any of these sound familiar, don’t worry. There are simple ways to fix and prevent class conflicts.
One of the easiest ways to prevent conflicts is to follow a structured naming convention. A popular method is BEM (Block Element Modifier), which helps keep class names organised.
Instead of vague names like:
Use more specific names like:
This helps prevent accidental overrides while keeping everything easy to manage.
Implementing structured naming conventions, such as those recommended by Finsweet, can significantly reduce class conflicts and enhance project scalability.
Combo classes allow you to add variations to a base class without affecting all instances of that class.
For example, if you’re designing buttons, you might have:
Instead of creating completely new classes for each button style, this structure keeps things consistent while allowing flexibility.
If you’ve been working on a Webflow project for a while, there are probably duplicate or unused classes cluttering up your site.
Webflow’s Style Manager (Shortcut: G) allows you to see all your classes in one place. Use it to:
Cleaning up your styles regularly helps prevent conflicts before they become a problem.
Instead of styling each heading, paragraph, or button separately, create global styles at the beginning of your project.
For example, set up:
This way, you don’t have to style elements individually each time, reducing the risk of conflicts.
If you find yourself reusing the same elements across your site, turn them into Symbols (now called Components in Webflow).
For example, if you’re working on a project for a Webflow developer and you need a consistent footer across all pages, save it as a Symbol. Now, any changes made to that footer will update everywhere automatically.
This prevents inconsistencies and ensures your design stays uniform.
If you’re working with other Webflow developers, it’s important to set some ground rules:
A little structure goes a long way in preventing headaches later. Adopting efficient workflow practices and version control systems can minimise errors and streamline collaboration among Webflow developers.
Final Thoughts
Class conflicts in Webflow are frustrating, but they don’t have to slow you down. By using a structured approach—clear naming conventions, combo classes, and Webflow’s built-in tools—you can keep your projects organised and free of styling mishaps.
For businesses looking for expert Webflow solutions, partnering with professionals ensures a seamless development process. In Australia, our Webflow development services in Bracken Ridge provide tailored solutions to help you build high-performing, well-structured websites free from common class conflicts and ensure your site is built with best practices from the start.
At B2B Websites, we help businesses create high-performing Webflow sites without the hassle. If you need expert guidance, let’s talk. And if you found this blog helpful, be sure to check out our other blog posts.
