Why does the Page Section anchor link in my Webflow site not go to the proper spot when I first enter the site?
TL;DR
- Add top spacing or use scroll-margin-top on anchor targets to offset fixed headers.
- Ensure anchor links match exact section IDs in element settings.
- Prevent layout shift by eager loading key content near anchors and avoiding heavy lazy-loaded elements nearby.
- Use full URL paths when linking from other pages and test anchor behavior on the live published site.
Anchor links in Webflow may not scroll to the correct page section on initial load, especially when content is still loading or fixed headers are involved. Here's how to troubleshoot and fix it:
1. Check for Fixed or Sticky Headers
- If you have a fixed header, it can cover the top of the target anchor section.
- In Webflow, this leads to the section starting under the header, appearing misaligned.
- Fix: Add top padding or margin to the target section equal to your header height, or use "scroll-margin-top" (via custom CSS if needed).
2. Ensure Proper ID Usage
- The anchor link must point to a section with an exact matching ID.
- For internal anchor links (e.g.,
#about), the corresponding section should have the ID set to "about" in the Element Settings panel (not just the class name).
3. Delayed Page Rendering or Lazy Loading
- If images or other content in the page load after the browser jumps to the anchor, it may push sections down after the scroll occurred.
- Fixes:
- Use
loading="eager"for critical images above or near the anchor target. - Avoid using large lazy-loaded embeds (e.g., YouTube or Lottie) too close to anchor points.
4. Linking to Anchors from Other Pages
- If you link to an anchor from outside the current page, ensure the anchor is on the target page, and the URL includes the full path with hash (e.g.,
/about#team). - On load, Webflow may not scroll until the entire page content has rendered, leading to misalignment.
5. Test in Live Publishing
- Webflow's Designer Preview or staging domain may behave differently than a live published site.
- Publish your site to the main Webflow domain and test the anchor behavior there.
Summary
Your anchor isn't landing on the correct position because of fixed headers, lazy-loading delays, or layout shifts on page load. Add spacing below headers, ensure immediate content loads above anchors, and test on the published site for accurate behavior.