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Why does the old design of my client's website appear broken for some visitors?

TL;DR
  • Ask users to clear their browser cache or hard refresh to fix outdated asset loading.
  • Check DNS propagation status and ensure A records point only to Webflow IPs.
  • Republish the site in Webflow to refresh CDN content and verify all domains are properly configured with SSL.

When some users see a broken old version of your client's website, the cause is typically related to browser caching, DNS propagation, or CDN caching issues.

1. Browser Cache Issues

  • Browsers often store static assets (like CSS, JS, images) to speed up load times.
  • If a visitor's browser is still using cached files from the old site, it may load outdated styles or scripts causing layout errors.
  • Ask users to clear their browser cache or perform a hard refresh (e.g., Shift + Reload).

2. DNS Propagation Delay

  • If you recently updated the domain’s DNS records, global propagation can take up to 48 hours.
  • Some users may still be routed to the old server or old version if their local DNS cache hasn’t updated yet.
  • Tools like whatsmydns.net can help you check if DNS has propagated globally.

3. CDN Caching (Webflow Hosting)

  • Webflow uses a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to serve assets quickly.
  • When publishing site changes, it can sometimes take a few minutes for the updated content to reach all edge locations.
  • Republishing the site again in Webflow can trigger a CDN purge and force updated content delivery.

4. Multiple Domains or SSL Misconfiguration

  • If you're using multiple domains or subdomains, some may not point correctly to Webflow’s servers.
  • Ensure all domains are properly connected and secured with SSL in Project Settings > Hosting under the Custom Domains section.
  • Click “Check Status” to verify connection and SSL settings.

5. Third-Party Hosting Conflict

  • If Webflow is not the only place hosting your content (e.g., still hosted on WordPress), DNS might be routing users inconsistently.
  • Make sure the A records point only to Webflow IPs: (a) 75.2.70.75, (b) 99.83.190.102.

Summary

Some users seeing a broken old design is usually caused by caching or DNS delay. To fix it, ensure users clear their cache, recheck DNS propagation, and confirm your Webflow hosting setup is configured correctly. If the issue persists, republish the site to refresh Webflow’s CDN.

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