Is there a solution to the indexing problem in Webflow when using a root/naked domain as the default domain?

Published on
September 22, 2023

Yes, there is a solution to the indexing problem in Webflow when using a root domain as the default domain. By default, Webflow sets up websites with a subdomain such as "www.yourdomain.com". However, if you want to use a root domain or naked domain (e.g., "yourdomain.com") as the default domain for your website, you may run into indexing issues with search engines.

To resolve this issue and ensure that search engines can properly index your website's root domain, you can follow these steps:

  1. Set up your DNS records:
  • In your domain registrar's DNS settings, create an A record that points your root domain (e.g., yourdomain.com) to the IP address provided by Webflow. Consult your domain registrar's documentation or support for instructions on how to create an A record.
  • If your domain registrar supports it, also create a CNAME record that points the "www" subdomain to the root domain (e.g., www.yourdomain.com to yourdomain.com). This will ensure that both the root and the "www" subdomain will work properly.
  1. Configure your Webflow project:
  • In your Webflow project settings, go to the Custom Domain section.
  • Enter your root domain (e.g., yourdomain.com) in the Custom Domain field.
  • If you have already set up a "www" subdomain in Webflow, remove it as it is no longer needed.
  • Click on the "Save Changes" button.
  1. Set the default domain in Webflow:
  • In your Webflow project settings, go to the Hosting tab.
  • Click on the "Enable Default Hosting" button.
  • Select your root domain (e.g., yourdomain.com) as the default domain.
  • Click on the "Save Changes" button.
  1. Check your website's indexing:
  • Wait for the DNS changes to propagate, which can take up to 48 hours.
  • Use Google Search Console or other SEO tools to test if your website is properly indexed. Submit a sitemap to search engines to speed up the indexing process.
  • Monitor your website's index status regularly to ensure that search engines are correctly recognizing your root domain.

By following these steps, you can overcome the indexing problem in Webflow when using a root domain as the default domain for your website.