Integrating External Databases with Data Filtering
- Sadique Habibullah
- Apr 14
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 19
Overview
This one came from Switzerland. The client had not one but three Wix websites—and both needed to pull live data from external databases and display it directly on the sites. They didn’t want static content or manually updated collections. They wanted the data to stay in their external system but show up on their websites in real-time, with smooth search filters, paginated listings, and individual detail pages.
And of course, it all had to look and feel native to Wix.
The Challenge: Real-Time Data, Smart Filtering & SEO Control
We weren’t just building a pretty interface. We were building a system.
There were three major components to solve:
Connect and fetch data from an external source—not Wix Collections.
Display data on a listing page with search filters and pagination that responded accurately to user input.
Create detailed pages for each item, with custom URLs and strong SEO—something standard Wix dynamic pages couldn’t fully handle.
And the trickiest part? Each search filter—whether it was a text box, dropdown, or multi-level selector—had to update the results and update the pagination logic accordingly. There was no room for errors or mismatched pages.
The Solution: Custom Integration + Router Pages
We started by building a secure connection to the external databases. Instead of importing the data into Wix, we kept everything synced in real-time using backend functions in Velo. This ensured the websites always pulled fresh data whenever someone loaded a page or performed a search.
Next, we built the listing pages. These pages included:
Live search and filters, including multi-level dropdowns
Smart pagination, recalculating total pages for every search state
Responsive loading, so results appeared quickly without full page reloads
For the detail pages, we didn’t use the usual dynamic pages Wix provides. Instead, we built router pages—a more advanced, flexible solution. Why?
Because router pages gave us total control over the URLs, SEO settings, and request logic. We could define how the site handled incoming requests, pull the correct data from the external source, and pass it seamlessly to the page. That meant cleaner URLs, better SEO, and a much more scalable setup.
Results & Impact
✅ Real-Time External Data: Both Wix sites now display external database content without manual updates or duplication.
✅ Advanced Filtering & Pagination: Users can search, filter, and navigate through data with ease—across thousands of records.
✅ Clean SEO-Friendly URLs: Router pages allowed for precise control over URLs and metadata, improving both usability and discoverability.
✅ Scalable Architecture: The integration can grow with the business—new data gets picked up instantly, no site edits required.
✅ Client Satisfaction: The client now has two robust, data-powered Wix websites—without compromising on design or performance.
Technologies Used
Wix Velo – For backend data fetching, frontend rendering, and logic handling
Wix Router Pages – For custom detail pages with dynamic routing and better SEO
JavaScript – For search filters, pagination logic, and UI behaviors
Custom Query Handling – To filter and sort data in real time based on user interaction
Want to Connect Your Website to External Data?
Whether you’re working with external CRMs, product databases, or custom systems—we can build a Wix integration that makes everything feel seamless.
📩 Let’s connect, and we’ll help your website talk directly to the tools you already use.
Comments