How to Add Webflow Sites to Google Search Console

To put your Webflow site on Google, start by using Google Search Console. This no-cost tool helps you keep an eye on and boost your site’s spot in searches. Here are the quick steps:

• Needs: A working Webflow site with a custom domain, a Google account, and access to your domain's DNS settings.
• How to Prove It's Yours: Add DNS records (best for full site view), use HTML meta tags, link Google Analytics, or Google Tag Manager.
• Add Your Sitemap: Turn on Webflow’s built-in sitemap and put it up at yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml in Google Search Console.

Main Good Things:

• Watch your search stats (clicks, keywords, and CTR).
• Find and fix problems with indexing or how easy it is to use.
• Make your site more seen in search outcomes.

Follow these steps to make sure your Webflow site shows up and works great in search engines.

Webflow SEO Google Search Console & Bing Webmaster Tools Setup for Webflow

What You Need to Start

Before you link your Webflow site to Google Search Console, you should set up a few key things to make sure the verification goes smoothly.

Make Sure Your Domain Is Live and on Webflow

To connect your Webflow site to Google Search Console, your site needs to be on a paid Site plan and must use a custom domain. Webflow sites that are free and use .webflow.io domains can't use this process.

You can check if your domain is linked by going to Site settings > Publishing > Production in your Webflow dashboard. Be sure your DNS settings are right and pointing to Webflow's servers.

If your DNS settings have old A or CNAME records, get rid of them before adding your custom domain. This step helps avoid issues that could mess up the connection.

Webflow will give you the right DNS records, like an A record and a CNAME record, found in the same Site settings > Publishing > Production section. Also, set the www version of your domain (like www.yourdomain.com) as the main one.

If you still have trouble after 48 hours, look at your DNS settings again or talk to your domain provider. If you need more help, you can contact Webflow's support team.

Next, you need a Google Account to move forward.

Set Up or Access Your Google Account

You need a Google Account to use Google Search Console. If you've used things like Gmail, YouTube, or Google Maps, you already have one.

If you don't have a Google Account, go to the Google Account sign-in page and click "Create account". Pick the account type - "For myself" for personal sites or "To manage a business" for business sites. You'll need to fill in basic info like your name, birthday, and gender, then pick a username.

You can make a new Gmail address or use another email address as your Google Account username. If using another email, you'll go through a verification.

Create a strong password and think about adding a phone number for extra safety. This helps with proving who you are and getting back into your account if needed.

Once your Google Account is set up, the last thing to do is get into your domain's DNS settings.

Get to Your Domain's DNS Settings

To finish the verification, you need to get to your domain's DNS settings. This often means logging into the control panel of your domain registrar - where you bought your domain.

Once in, you need to change DNS records, mainly the TXT records that Google gives during the verification. If you're not sure who your DNS provider is, use domain lookup tools to find out.

Common domain registrars are GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, and Cloudflare. Depending on your registrar, you can verify through the Webflow dashboard or right in your domain provider's control panel.

If you find it hard to get to your DNS settings, look at your registrar's help guide or talk to their help team. Having this access set up early will make the check work go smooth and keep you from unwanted waits.

How to Make Sure Google Sees Your Webflow Site

When your Webflow site is all set, you need to show Google that it's yours. This check is key as it opens tools that let you see how well your site shows up and does in searches. You only need to do this once with your domain, and Google has a few ways to help you with this.

Make Your Domain Yours with DNS Records

If you need to cover all bases, like subdomains and links, DNS verification should be your go-to. Pick the "Domain" property in Google Search Console for a full look at your site.

Here’s how you can do it:

1. Sign in to Google Search Console with your Google account.
2. Pick "Domain" as your property and type in your domain name (like yourdomain.com). Google will make a TXT record code for you.
3. Take this TXT record, head to your domain place's DNS section. Look for something like DNS management or DNS records.
4. Put up a new TXT record and put the code Google gave you in the right spot.
5. Save your changes.

DNS updates might be fast but can take up to 48 hours. After adding the record, go back to Google Search Console and hit "Verify". If it doesn't work right away, wait more and try again.

Once your domain checks out, you can look at other ways to verify if you want.

Use HTML Meta Tags in Webflow

For those using Webflow who want an easier way, the HTML meta tag is simpler than dealing with DNS stuff.

1. In Google Search Console, pick "URL prefix" and type in your full domain, with the start like https://www.yourdomain.com.
2. Under Other verification methods, go for "HTML tag".
3. Take the meta tag from Google. Next, jump over to your Webflow site’s SEO spot, drop the tag into the Google site verification box, and put your site out there.
4. Go back to Google Search Console and press Verify.

If the process stops before you're finished, start over and use the same HTML tag method.

More Ways to Show Your Site

Google also backs other methods that might fit better depending on your setup. If Google Analytics or Google Tag Manager are part of your Webflow site, use these for the check.

• Google Analytics: This works if you've put the tracking code in your Webflow site’s custom code area.
• Google Tag Manager: Use your ready GTM setup for the check.

Another way is by HTML file upload, not the best fit for Webflow as you can't directly add files to the main folder. This way fits more with normal hosting settings.

To dodge mix-ups, take care to cut out old check marks. Keep just the fresh log-in details on.

Pick the way that fits how well you know tech and how much cover you need. DNS check gives the most cover, but HTML meta tags are an easy pick for many Webflow users.

How to Add Your Webflow Sitemap to Google Search Console

After your site gets a check mark, the next move is to add your sitemap to Google. This helps Google find and list your pages fast, so they show up in search results quick.

"The first step to getting indexed is submitting your sitemap to Google. A sitemap is simply a file that lists all the pages on your website in a way that Google can easily read and understand. Creating and submitting this sitemap tells Google about all your pages and helps them appear in search results faster."

• BRIX Templates

Before you send it in, make sure your Webflow sitemap works and can be seen.

Turn On Webflow's Auto-Made Sitemap

Webflow makes it easy by making and keeping your sitemap new each time you update your site. This makes sure your sitemap is best set up for Google to find.

Go to your Webflow project settings to see if this tool works. Check the auto-make sitemap box is on. While there, look at the settings for each page to see that all key pages are shown. Some pages might not show by how it's set now, and this can stop Google from seeing them.

Find and Send Your Sitemap URL

Your Webflow sitemap is at yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml.

To look at it, open a web page and go to yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml. If the XML file opens right and shows your site's pages, you can send it.

Here’s how to send your sitemap to Google Search Console:

• Sign in to Google Search Console and pick your site.
• From the menu on the left, hit "Sitemaps."
• In the "Add a new sitemap" box, put sitemap.xml (don't add your full domain).
• Click Submit.

After sending, look at the Sitemaps report in Google Search Console to make sure there are no errors. See that the count of URLs Google found is what you thought.

Custom Sitemaps for Big Sites

For most, Webflow's auto-sitemap is fine. But if your site is big or needs special SEO, you might want a custom sitemap.

If you make a custom sitemap, check the XML set-up well. Even small slips can keep Google from reading your sitemap. To send your custom sitemap, use the same steps, but put in your custom sitemap name in place of sitemap.xml.

Sometimes, Google Search Console might show a "couldn't fetch" error after you send it. If so, just try to send the sitemap again. As Michael Wells, a Community Specialist, has said: "Often in Google Search Console I need to try again, no matter who or where the site is hosted."

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How to Keep Track of and Boost Your Site's Speed

After you link your Webflow site to Google Search Console and send in your sitemap, it’s key to watch how your site is doing. Keeping an eye on it often means your site will stay in good health in search results.

Look at Index Coverage Reports

The Index Coverage report helps you see how Google looks at and lists your site. It shows which pages are on Google and points out if some aren’t because of issues. Try to look at this report every month, or each week if you just changed how your site looks or its web addresses. Spotting issues early can stop bigger problems later.

The report sorts your pages into four types:

• Valid: Pages listed without trouble.
• Valid with warnings: Listed pages with small issues.
• Error: Pages that Google couldn’t list.
• Excluded: Pages Google did not list on purpose.

What should you do? Try to have lots of "Valid" pages and few "Error" ones. If errors come up, fix those marked as "failed" or "not started" first.

"The Index Coverage report gives you a fantastic overview and understanding of how Google views your website. One piece of general housekeeping that gets missed often is reviewing the valid pages within Search Console. Doing so allows you to identify if any pages are currently being indexed that shouldn't be."
– Matthew Jones, LinkedIn

Make sure to check if you are looking at "all submitted pages" or "all known pages", as the numbers could be different and may show unexpected page indexing. For a close look at certain issues, use the URL Inspection Tool.

Use the URL Inspection Tool

The URL Inspection Tool is great for checking single pages - whether you’re finding out why a page isn’t shown in search results or checking if a fix worked. Just put the full URL into the search bar on the top of Google Search Console or click the inspect icon near a URL in other reports.

When you click "Test Live URL", Google gives up-to-date data, and the Page Indexing Status part shows when the page was last crawled and points out any issues. If a page is crawled but not indexed, check its content for clearness, how it relates, and good links from other sites.

Check Mobile Usability Reports

With Google's mobile-first indexing, it's key to make your site good for mobile users. The Mobile Usability report shows problems like text that's too small, buttons or links too close, or big popups. These issues can drop your rank, so fix them first.

Look at the report to find any usability problems. Doing things like making text bigger, spacing clickable items, and making sure your design is good on many devices can make your site much better for mobile.

"The 'Excluded' section of the Coverage report has quickly become a key data source when doing SEO audits to identify and prioritize pages with technical and content configuration issues."
– Aleyda Solís, International SEO Consultant & Founder, Orainti

How to Fix Common Problems

Even when you set your stuff up right, adding your Webflow site to Google Search Console might bring up some issues. Here's how to fix what often goes wrong.

Fix Verification Problems

Getting verified is key to using the SEO tools in Google Search Console. If it fails, it’s likely because Google isn’t sure you own the site. The usual issues can be wrong DNS records, meta tags in the wrong spot, server issues, or too many redirects.

• DNS Verification Issues: Check the TXT record Google gave you again. Put it right in your domain provider's settings, and use "@" in the Host Record field. Know that DNS changes might take 2-3 days to spread. If it doesn't work, remove the old DNS record and add a new one.
• HTML Meta Tag Verification: Make sure the meta tag is right in the <head> of your homepage on Webflow. A simple typo can mess up the verification.
• HTML File Upload: Put the file in the root directory, and make sure it's open to the public. Nothing should stop access to the file.
• Google Analytics or Tag Manager: Use the same Google account and have the right rights ('Edit' for Analytics or 'Publish/Admin' for Tag Manager). Make sure the codes are in the right places on your site.

Be sure to check if your server times out or there are DNS issues to make sure your domain works right.

Fix Sitemap Submission Errors

Sitemap issues in Google Search Console usually are either "Couldn't fetch" or "Has errors."

• "Couldn't fetch" Errors: This means Google can’t get to your sitemap file. Open the sitemap URL in your browser to check if you can see the XML stuff. If your robots.txt file is blocking it, take those rules out. Also, look at the Manual Actions report in Search Console, as unfixed issues may stop Google from reading your sitemap.
• "Has errors" Status: Google got your sitemap but found issues. Usual things are using relative URLs rather than full ones, bad characters, or sitemaps that are too big (over 50MB not compressed or more than 50,000 URLs). Use an XML sitemap validator to spot and fix these issues. If your sitemap is too big, break it into smaller ones and link them with a sitemap index file.

"If the sitemaps are valid and still aren't functioning or couldn't be read, then changing the name of the sitemap file can do the magic." - John Mueller, Google Search Advocate

After you fix the mistakes, send your sitemap again in Google Search Console. If the issues are small, you can wait for Google to check it again on its own time.

What to Do When Pages Don't Show Up

If your pages don't show up in search, first look at the Index Coverage report. You might see words like "Crawled – currently not indexed" or "Discovered – currently not indexed."

• "Crawled – currently not indexed": Google saw the page but didn’t put it in search results. This could be because the page has too little or same content as others. Make the content better, make it one of a kind, and link it from pages that get a lot of visits. Use the URL Inspection Tool to ask for reindexing.
• "Discovered – currently not indexed": Google knows the page is there but hasn’t checked it yet. Make sure the page is linked inside, put in your sitemap, and ask for indexing with the URL Inspection Tool.

For different issues:

• Take out 'Disallow' lines in your robots.txt file that might stop key pages.
• If a page has a "noindex" tag but should be seen, take away the tag from your Webflow settings.
• For soft 404 errors (pages with little or no content), make the content better or add a noindex tag if the page shouldn’t be seen.
• Server errors (5xx) mean you should look at your host’s logs and call support if needed.
• To deal with same content, use canonical tags to show the favored version, bring close pages together, or set up 301 redirects to lead users to the right page.

After you do these fixes, use the "Validate Fix" option in Google Search Console to ask for reindexing. Watch your progress over time to make sure all works well.

End Thoughts

Making sure to check your site, send in your sitemap, and watch your site's numbers closely can really help your website show up better and work well in search results. These steps - making sure you own the site through DNS records or HTML tags, sending your sitemap for finding content, and always keeping an eye on your site’s health - are key to stay on top in search ranks.

"Search Console tools and reports help you measure your site's Search traffic and performance, fix issues, and make your site shine in Google Search results."
– Google Search Console

After your site is checked and your sitemap is put in, Google Search Console gives useful facts. You can see which words bring in users, find tech problems soon, and see how Google reads your pages. With this data, you can tweak your plan when needed. Often look at your data - check out your numbers, how you stand on Google, and if there are any direct flags at least every week. When you post new stuff, keep an eye on how it does in a few days, and look more into how it's doing and word ranks each month.

"The Performance report shows important metrics about how your site performs in Google Search results: how often it comes up; average position in search results; click through rate; and any special features (such as rich results) associated with your results."
– Krish Khatri

It's key to note that websites on the first page of search results get most of the traffic. If you use top Webflow templates from Temlis or a full custom design, using Google Search Console is key for making and keeping your online spot.

FAQs

Why can’t I see my Webflow site on Google after setting it up?

Fixing: Why Your Webflow Site Isn't on Google

If your Webflow site doesn't show up on Google after you set it up, don't stress - here are a few things to look into:

• Can your site be indexed? Make sure you didn't turn on no-index tags by mistake in your Webflow project settings or on specific pages. Use SEO browser tools to check if your pages are set to be indexed.
• Sitemap send to Google Search Console: Check that your sitemap is sent right and has the right URLs. Don't use links that send you elsewhere. If you find a problem, send the sitemap again and be sure it fits your site’s main version (like with or without “www”).
• Search for crawl errors: Go to Google Search Console and look for crawl problems or alerts that may stop Google from indexing your site.

If all is good and your site still won’t show, keep in mind that indexing might take a bit of time. To improve your odds, work on making good, SEO-friendly content.

How can I make sure my Webflow site is in Google Search Console if I can't touch DNS settings?

If you can't get into your domain's DNS settings, you can still make sure your Webflow site is in Google Search Console by using the HTML tag method. Here's how to do it:

• In Google Search Console, put in your site's URL and pick the HTML tag check option. Copy the code they give you.
• Go to your Webflow main page, click on Settings, and then find the SEO tab. Put the code into the Google Site Verification box.
• Save your stuff in Webflow, then go back to Google Search Console and press Verify to finish up.

This way, you can show you own your site without needing to get into DNS settings.

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