What are some common problems with Google Search Console that can occur when relaunching a website using Webflow?

When relaunching a website using Webflow, it is important to be aware of potential problems that can occur with Google Search Console. Here are some common issues and how to address them:

1. Dropped rankings: After relaunching a website, you may notice a drop in rankings in Google search results. This can be due to changes in URL structure, missing or incorrect meta tags, or changes in site architecture. To address this issue, you should:

• Set up 301 redirects to redirect old URLs to new ones. This will help preserve the rankings and traffic from the old site.
• Check the meta tags (title, description, etc.) on each page and ensure they accurately reflect the content. Use relevant keywords to optimize them for search engines.
• Review and improve the overall site architecture. Ensure that the new site is properly structured and organized for search engines to crawl and index.

1. Missing or incorrect sitemaps: A sitemap is crucial for search engines to understand the structure of your website and index all its pages. If your sitemap is missing or contains incorrect URLs, it can lead to indexing issues. To address this problem:

• Generate a new sitemap using the Webflow sitemap generator tool.
• Submit the new sitemap to Google Search Console to ensure proper indexing of your site's pages.
• Regularly monitor the status of your sitemap in Google Search Console to identify and fix any potential issues.

1. Crawl errors: When relaunching a website, it is common to encounter crawl errors in Google Search Console. These errors indicate that Google bots are having difficulty accessing certain pages on your site. To resolve crawl errors:

• Identify the specific pages or URLs that are experiencing crawl errors.
• Check if there are any broken links or missing internal links on those pages. Fix them to ensure that Google bots can navigate your site correctly.
• Use the "Fetch as Google" feature in Google Search Console to test if the problematic pages can be accessed and crawled. If not, investigate and resolve any server or coding issues that may be causing the problem.

1. Changing domain or protocol: If you have changed your domain name or protocol (HTTP to HTTPS) during the relaunch, it can lead to additional challenges in Google Search Console. To address this issue:

• Update the Domain property settings in Google Search Console to reflect the new domain or protocol.
• Add the new version of the site (with the new domain or protocol) as a separate property in Google Search Console.
• Set up 301 redirects from the old domain to the new one to ensure a smooth transition for both users and search engines.

By being aware of these common problems that can occur when relaunching a website using Webflow and taking the necessary steps to resolve them, you can minimize any negative impact on your search engine rankings and ensure a successful website relaunch.

Additional questions:

1. Why are my website rankings dropping after relaunching with Webflow?
2. How can I fix crawl errors in Google Search Console after relaunching my website on Webflow?
3. What steps should I take when changing the domain or protocol of my website on Webflow to avoid SEO issues?