What are some tips for improving the speed score of a website in Webflow, in order to boost SEO?

Improving your website speed in Webflow is essential for better SEO rankings and user experience. Here are the most effective tips tailored for Webflow users.

1. Optimize Image Assets

• Use WebP format for images when possible to reduce file size.
• Compress images before uploading using tools like TinyPNG or Squoosh.
• Use correct dimensions – resize images to match their on-screen display size before uploading.
• Enable lazy loading (automatically applied in Webflow with loading="lazy" on img elements).

2. Minimize and Combine Assets

• Enable minification of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in Project Settings > Hosting.
• Avoid using excessive font variants and weights (e.g., only use 400 and 700 if that's sufficient).
• Limit third-party integrations/scripts, such as chat widgets or tracking pixels, as they can delay page load.

3. Use Webflow's Built-In Hosting Features

• Webflow uses Fastly CDN for global delivery, so just publish your site to take advantage of it.
• Use Webflow SSL hosting, which ensures HTTP/2 and performance gains with secure delivery.

4. Structure Your Page Efficiently

• Keep DOM size minimal – limit deeply nested elements and excess div wrappers.
• Avoid using too many elements with high interaction overhead, such as complex animations or sliders.
• Use reusable components and symbols instead of duplicating structures.

5. Optimize Fonts

• Choose System Fonts (like Arial or Helvetica) when possible to avoid download delays.
• When using custom fonts:
• Host locally in Webflow and avoid external font services when speed is a priority.
• Subset fonts to only include needed characters using a tool like Transfonter.

6. Reduce Page Complexity

• Split long pages into smaller ones if they take too long to load.
• Keep above-the-fold content lightweight so key visuals and headings load first.

7. Audit with PageSpeed Tools

• Use Google PageSpeed Insights or WebPageTest to identify specific issues.
• Check Core Web Vitals metrics like Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS).

8. Limit Interactions and Animations

• Use Webflow animations sparingly and only when necessary.
• Disable unused scroll or hover animations which can slow rendering, especially on mobile.

9. Avoid Duplicate Scripts

• If using custom code, ensure you don’t duplicate libraries (e.g., jQuery or GSAP) that Webflow already includes.
• Check Project Settings > Custom Code for redundant or unnecessary code blocks.

Summary

To improve speed and SEO in Webflow, optimize images, reduce unnecessary scripts and fonts, use Webflow's minification and CDN tools, and streamline your page structure. Regular audits with PageSpeed Insights can help refine your performance over time.