Why is my Webflow site still unpublished even though it says "Published Successfully"?

Published on
September 22, 2023

Sometimes, even if your Webflow site says "Published Successfully," it may still appear as unpublished for a few different reasons. Here are some possible explanations and solutions:

  1. DNS Propagation: After publishing a website, it takes time for the new DNS (Domain Name System) information to propagate across all servers globally. During this propagation period, your website may not be accessible to some users. DNS propagation can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours. If you recently published your site, give it some time and check again later.

  2. Cached Pages: Web browsers often store (or "cache") previously accessed pages to improve loading speed. If you're visiting your own website and seeing the old version, it's possible that your browser has cached the previous version. Try clearing your browser cache or opening your site in an incognito/private browsing window to see if the latest version appears.

  3. Caching Services: If you're using a caching service like Cloudflare or a CDN (Content Delivery Network), it may also take some time for the changes and updates to be reflected. These services propagate the changes at their own pace, which can sometimes cause delays in updating the published version of your site. You can try purging the cache in the caching service's settings to force an immediate update.

  4. Incorrect Publishing Settings: Double-check your Webflow site's publishing settings to ensure that you're publishing to the intended domain or subdomain. It's possible that you're publishing to a different environment or staging area, which doesn't reflect the changes you've made. Make sure you've selected the correct target and republish if necessary.

  5. Site Publishing Issues: In rare cases, there might be technical issues with the Webflow servers or your specific site's publishing process. To rule out this possibility, you can reach out to the Webflow support team for assistance. They can investigate any potential server-side issues that might be preventing your site from being published correctly.

With these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to identify and resolve common reasons why your Webflow site may still appear as unpublished after receiving a "Published Successfully" message. Remember to consider factors like DNS propagation, caching, publishing settings, and potential technical issues to ensure your site is accessible to all visitors.

Additional Questions:

  1. How can I clear the cache in my web browser?
  2. What is DNS propagation and how long does it typically take?
  3. How can I contact Webflow support for assistance with publishing issues?