Decoding HubSpot's Link Field Errors: A Developer's Guide

Ever wrestled with HubSpot's Design Manager, trying to add a simple link field to a custom module, only to be met with an unhelpful error message? You're not alone! Many HubSpot users, from seasoned developers to those just starting out with custom modules, encounter unexpected issues. Recently, a HubSpot user ran into this exact problem and took to the HubSpot Community for help. Let's break down the issue and the solutions that emerged, which could save you some headaches down the road.

The Case of the Mysterious Link Field Error

The original poster described encountering an error when creating a link field in the Design Manager. This occurred even in a brand new custom module with no other modifications. The error message pointed to an issue with the supported_types for the link field.

Error:Unable to set value for fields > > supported_types > on custom widget from JSON: {"name":"test","source":"","otherAssets":[],"cssAssets":[],"jsAssets":[],"tags":[],"contentTags":[],"contentTypes":["LANDING_PAGE","SITE_PAGE","BLOG_LISTING","BLOG_POST"],"hostTemplateTypes":["PAGE","BLOG_LISTING","BLOG_POST"],"isAvailableForNewContent":true,"isEnabledForEmailV3Rendering":null,"smartType":"NOT_SMART","inlineHelpText":"","path":"/Beauty/modules/test","folderId":199020526249,"categories":[],"fields":[{"type":"link","id":"8582ac67-ed32-9fd4-cffa-25aecc35406f","default":{"url":{"content_id":null,"type":"EXTERNAL","href":""},"open_in_new_tab":false,"no_follow":false},"supported_types":["EXTERNAL","FILE","CONTENT","BLOG","CALL_TO_ACTION","PAYMENT","EMAIL_ADDRESS","PHONE_NUMBER","ANCHOR"],"label":"Link","name":"link_field"}],"messages":{},"masterLanguage":null,"updatedById":79716120}

The problem also seemed to affect URL fields, compounding the frustration. This can be particularly disruptive when trying to build out key e-commerce elements for your HubSpot-powered storefront.

The Root Cause: An Unsupported Type

A helpful community member pointed out that the supported_types array for a link field has a specific set of valid options, according to the official HubSpot documentation. The valid types are:

• EXTERNAL
• CONTENT
• FILE
• EMAIL_ADDRESS
• BLOG
• CALL_TO_ACTION
• PHONE_NUMBER
• WHATSAPP_NUMBER
• PAYMENT

In the error message, the type ANCHOR was present in the supported_types array. However, ANCHOR is not a valid supported type for link fields in HubSpot's Design Manager. The system was likely automatically adding it, causing the error.

The Solution: Removing the Offending Type

The immediate solution is to remove ANCHOR from the list of supported URL types within the Design Manager. After removing it, the original poster confirmed that the error message disappeared, and they could successfully create the link field.

Since this issue appeared to stem from the Design Manager UI automatically adding the unsupported type, it's possible that it's a platform bug. It's recommended to report such issues to HubSpot Support, including:

• The full error message
• Your HubSpot Account ID
• Details about the Design Manager adding ANCHOR as a supported type
• A link to the community post (for context)

As a temporary workaround, you could also try creating the module locally using the HubSpot CLI. This allows you to manually set the supported_types without the erroneous ANCHOR type.

A More Robust Approach to Anchor Links

While the above solution addresses the immediate error, another community member offered a more robust approach for creating anchor links within HubSpot modules. This involves using a choice field to differentiate between standard links and anchor links, providing a better user experience and cleaner code.

Here's the suggested approach:

1. Add a choice field (e.g., "link type") with "link" and "anchor" as the available options.
2. Add a URL field (e.g., "button link") and a text field (e.g., "anchor"; not a rich-text field) to the module.
3. Use conditional logic to show either the URL field or the text field based on the selected link type.

The HTML code would then look something like this:

{% if module.link_type == "link" %}
 {# Paste the whole copied snippet of the URL field here #}
{% elif module.link_type == "anchor" %}
 {% set href = module.anchor|lower|replace(" ", "-") %}
{% endif %}
...
{{module.button_label}}

This approach offers several benefits:

• Improved User Experience: The choice field and visibility rules make it clear to content editors which type of link they are creating.
• Clean Code: The logic is separated from the layout, making the code more maintainable.
• Anchor Formatting: The replace filter ensures that spaces in the anchor text are replaced with hyphens, preventing common errors.

For an even better user experience, you can add a snippet to display the anchor text within the page editor:

{% if is_in_page_editor and module.link_type == "anchor" %}
 {{href}}
{% endif %}

Key Takeaways for HubSpot Developers

This community thread highlights several important lessons for HubSpot developers:

• Validate Supported Types: Always double-check the official HubSpot documentation for valid values, especially when working with fields and modules.
• Leverage the Community: The HubSpot Community is a valuable resource for troubleshooting issues and finding creative solutions.
• Consider User Experience: When building custom modules, prioritize the user experience for content editors. Clear and intuitive interfaces can save time and reduce errors.
• Report Bugs: If you suspect a platform bug, report it to HubSpot Support. Your feedback helps improve the platform for everyone.

By understanding these principles, you can avoid common pitfalls and build more robust and user-friendly HubSpot solutions. For businesses seeking a more customizable e-commerce solution, exploring a free SAP Commerce alternative like ESHOPMAN, with its seamless HubSpot integration, can be a game-changer.