Why does the Page Section anchor link in my Webflow site not go to the proper spot when I first enter the site?

A Page Section anchor link often fails to scroll to the correct position on initial page load due to timing issues—usually caused by late-loading content such as custom fonts, images, or scripts shifting the layout after the anchor scroll is triggered.

1. Understand How Anchor Links Work in Webflow

• Anchor links refer to a specific section using a #section-id.
• When a page loads with an anchor in the URL (e.g., example.com/#services), the browser attempts to scroll to that element as soon as possible.
• If layout-affecting assets haven't fully loaded yet, the element may shift position after the scroll, causing incorrect placement.

2. Identify What's Causing Layout Shift

• Images or videos without fixed heights, especially above the anchor section, may push content down after loading.
• Web fonts can cause text reflow, altering element positions upon initial render.
• Third-party scripts like chat widgets, analytics trackers, or animations may also add height or change layout behavior after the initial load.

3. Apply a Temporary Fix

• Use a page load delay to give content time to render before scrolling:
• Add a short timeout using custom code to delay the auto-scroll (Webflow doesn't do this by default).
• Example: In the Page Settings > Before tag, you can add a script that scrolls manually after a delay.

4. Use Webflow Native Alternatives

• Instead of expecting the URL with #anchor to scroll automatically, use Webflow’s built-in scroll interactions or the "Scroll Into View" behavior triggered on load via built-in animations.
• Alternatively, trigger the scroll manually using custom code that waits for all assets to load (window.onload).

5. Double-Check Anchor Setup

• Ensure the ID is correctly applied to the target element (e.g., section, div block).
• The ID should match the anchor link exactly—case-sensitive, no typos.
• Make sure the anchor target element is not set to display: none or hidden on page load.

Summary

The anchor link is likely not scrolling to the right place because content hasn’t fully loaded when the browser attempts to scroll. Use a delayed JavaScript scroll, audit for layout shifts, and consider Webflow-native scroll animations to ensure reliable behavior.