The Ultimate Webflow SEO Checklist for 2025

Pre-Publishing SEO Checklist

1. Site Structure & URL Optimization

• Use SEO-friendly URLs (short, keyword-rich, and descriptive). Check under Webflow Page Settings.
• Keep URLs consistent (avoid changing them frequently). Use 301 redirects if changes are needed.
• Remove unnecessary subfolders and parameters. Ensure URLs are clean and logical.
• Enable Webflow’s auto-generated sitemap. Go to Site Settings → SEO → Generate Sitemap.
• Set up breadcrumb navigation for better UX and SEO. Use Webflow CMS or custom code.

2. On-Page SEO Optimization

• Include target keywords naturally in:
  • Page titles (H1s). Use Webflow's SEO settings per page.
  • Meta descriptions. Write compelling summaries under 160 characters.
  • First 100 words of content. Ensure the main keyword appears early.
  • Image alt texts. Add descriptive alt texts in Webflow Image Settings.
  • URLs. Use concise, readable slugs.
• Write compelling meta titles (under 60 characters) and meta descriptions (under 160 characters). Check using Google SERP preview tools.
• Use structured heading hierarchy (H1 → H2 → H3, etc.). Ensure only one H1 per page.
• Add schema markup (Webflow supports custom code injections for rich snippets). Use Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool.

3. Image & Media Optimization

• Compress images using WebP format to reduce load times. Use tools like TinyPNG or Webflow’s built-in compressor.
• Implement lazy loading for images and videos. Enable “Lazy Load” in Webflow’s settings.
• Use descriptive alt texts for all images. Improve accessibility and keyword relevance.
• Avoid oversized images that could slow page speed. Check file sizes before uploading.

4. Technical SEO Setup

• Ensure HTTPS is enabled (SSL/TLS security). Webflow provides free SSL—verify in Site Settings.
• Use canonical tags to prevent duplicate content issues. Set up in Webflow’s page settings if needed.
• Set up 301 redirects for any old URLs. Use Webflow's “301 Redirects” in Site Settings.
• Avoid orphan pages (pages without internal links pointing to them). Check internal links via Webflow CMS.
• Check for and fix broken links. Use Screaming Frog or Ahrefs to identify them.

5. Mobile & Performance Optimization

• Ensure the site is 100% responsive on all devices. Test using Google Mobile-Friendly Test.
• Optimize for Core Web Vitals:
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) <2.5s. Test with Google PageSpeed Insights.
  • First Input Delay (FID) <100ms. Monitor using Chrome DevTools.
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) <0.1. Minimize layout shifts by defining image dimensions.
• Minimize custom JavaScript and heavy animations. Reduce Lottie animations and third-party scripts.
• Enable CSS and JS minification in Webflow settings. Found under Site Settings → Hosting.

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Post-Publishing SEO Checklist

6. Indexing & Search Engine Submission

• Submit sitemap.xml to Google Search Console. Go to GSC → Sitemaps → Submit URL.
• Use URL Inspection Tool to manually request indexing of key pages. Check individual pages in GSC.
• Ensure robots.txt is properly configured. Manage via Webflow settings if necessary.
• Set up and verify Google Analytics 4 (GA4). Connect GA4 with Google Tag Manager.

7. Internal Linking & Navigation

• Add internal links to high-value pages. Use anchor links to direct traffic.
• Use descriptive anchor texts. Avoid generic text like “click here.”
• Avoid excessive nofollow attributes on internal links. Use sparingly for external links.

8. Backlink & Off-Page SEO Strategies

• Submit site to Google Business Profile if relevant. Boosts local SEO rankings.
• Share on social media and industry-related blogs. Drive referral traffic.
• Build quality backlinks via guest posting & partnerships. Use outreach strategies for link-building.

9. Ongoing SEO Monitoring

• Regularly check Google Search Console for errors. Fix crawl errors and warnings.
• Track rankings with Ahrefs, Semrush, or Moz. Monitor keyword positions.
• Monitor page speed and user experience. Use PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix.
• Update content regularly to stay fresh. Refresh outdated blog posts and landing pages.

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Final Thoughts

Following this checklist ensures your Webflow website is fully optimized for SEO, speed, and performance. Whether launching a new site or improving an existing one, these steps will help maximize search visibility and user experience.

Need help optimizing your Webflow site? Let’s chat! 🔥