Ever visited a website where listings (like team members, projects, or blog posts) instantly update when you pick a filter, without the whole page reloading? That's the magic of HubDB with AJAX filters on HubSpot CMS! It means a super-fast, smooth experience for your visitors, keeping them engaged and happy.
If you have dynamic content on your HubSpot site – like lists of team members, case studies, product catalogs, or blog articles – this guide is for you! We'll show you how to build awesome filters that make your content easy to explore.
Why It's Great for Your Website:
-
Blazing Fast: No more waiting for pages to reload. Content updates instantly.
-
Happy Visitors: A smooth experience means people stay longer and find what they need faster.
-
Better Engagement: Interactive filters encourage users to explore more of your content.
-
Easy to Use: Once set up, managing your dynamic content is a breeze.
How It Works (The Simple Idea):
-
Your HubDB Table: Imagine a smart spreadsheet (HubDB) where you store all your project details: name, category, image, etc.
-
Initial Display: Your HubSpot page first shows all your projects using a special HubSpot module. It also displays a "category" dropdown filter.
-
The "Magic" (AJAX): When someone picks a category from the filter, a tiny signal is sent behind the scenes (that's AJAX!).
-
Instant Update: HubSpot quickly grabs only the projects matching that category and sends them back. Your page then instantly updates, showing just those projects, without a full refresh!
Step-by-Step Simplified:
1. Set Up Your Data (HubDB):
Create your HubDB table. For example, a "Projects" table might have columns like:
-
Project Name
(text) -
Category
(like "Marketing," "Design," "Development") -
Image
-
Summary
2. Build Your Page (HubSpot):
On your HubSpot page, you'll add two main parts:
-
The Filter: A dropdown menu (using HubSpot's code) that lists all your project categories.
-
The Content Area: A special placeholder where your projects will appear. This area uses a HubSpot module to display the initial list.
3. The Content Display Module:
This is a HubSpot module that knows how to show your projects. It checks if a filter is active and only displays projects that match.
4. The Smart Script (JavaScript):
This little piece of code makes it all work. When you select a category in the dropdown:
-
It tells your HubSpot page what category was chosen.
-
It asks the HubSpot server for just the projects in that category.
-
When the server sends them back, it instantly updates the "Content Area" on your page. No full page reload needed!
Pro Tips for a Great Experience:
-
Loading Spinners: Add a small "loading..." message or spinner while the content updates, so users know something's happening.
-
"No Results" Message: If a filter returns nothing, tell the user, "No items found."
-
Pagination: If you have many items, add "Next Page" and "Previous Page" buttons that also update instantly.
-
Keep it Simple: Focus on the main filters your users will need.
Where You Can Use This:
This powerful technique is perfect for:
-
Blog Filters: Let visitors easily find posts by topic.
-
Team Directories: Filter team members by department.
-
Product Listings: Organize products by features or types.
-
Case Study Portfolios: Let clients browse by industry.
By adding these dynamic, instant filters to your HubSpot website, you'll create a much more engaging and user-friendly experience, making your content shine!
