Webflow Templates and SEO

Webflow templates are great, and we love them. There are situations when template websites are a smart choice that can save your finances and time. A couple of years ago, I already praised templates in the article "Webflow Templates: Yay or Nay?" in 2022, and I still think the same. Moreover, over the following three years, we worked with multiple templates for multiple clients, and in the vast majority of cases, the use of a template was very much justified and brought amazing results.

But often, I hear a smart question asked by my clients: Do I need SEO services if I purchased a Webflow template? My answer is yes. The technical on-page SEO service that Rapid Fire offers is a great way to bulletproof your newborn website and give it a strong start.

Firstly, let's explain this:

What is Technical On-Page SEO and Off-Page SEO?

There are two types of search engine optimization that can be done with the purpose of improving your website's rankings on Google and other search engines, and driving more organic traffic.

Technical On-Page SEO

Technical on-page SEO focuses on elements that can be done, in most cases, inside Webflow by your web developer. One key aspect of on-page SEO is website structure, ensuring that the site is logically organized and user-friendly. Meta tags, including meta titles and descriptions, play a crucial role in attracting click-throughs from search engine results. Keyword optimization involves naturally incorporating relevant keywords into content, headings, and tags to improve visibility. Clean and descriptive URLs also contribute to better rankings.

Internal linking is another essential element, as it connects relevant pages within the website, enhancing navigation and user experience. Mobile-friendliness is a priority, ensuring the website is responsive and functions well on mobile devices. Page speed optimization is crucial for providing a smooth user experience, as faster loading times lead to higher satisfaction. Descriptive alt text for images helps search engines index the content, and creating an XML sitemap facilitates better crawling and indexing by search engines.

Off-Page SEO

Off-page SEO, on the other hand, involves activities outside of your website that influence search engine rankings. Building high-quality backlinks from reputable websites is a primary focus. Social signals from promoting content on social media platforms drive traffic and increase visibility. Guest blogging allows you to write articles for other blogs, gaining exposure and valuable backlinks in return. Influencer outreach, where you collaborate with influencers to promote your content, helps attract more attention and links.

Submitting your website to relevant online directories can improve its credibility and search engine visibility. Brand mentions on other websites contribute to your online presence. Managing online reviews and ratings enhances credibility, while local SEO optimizes your site for local searches through Google My Business and local citations.

As you can see, off-page SEO can be categorized as a bunch of actions that can be done constantly over a long period of time. On-page SEO, on the contrary, needs to be done once, and then the established principles need to be maintained and followed as the website grows.

Read more about Rapid Fire's SEO services here.

How Good Are Webflow Templates in Terms of SEO?

Webflow templates are solid websites, but they are built with design and functionality in mind first.

The basics are solid. Webflow templates feature:

• Responsive design
• Clean code
• Fast loading speed
• SEO-friendly navigation

However, Webflow templates may miss some quality when it comes to fine-tuning and an SEO-oriented approach.

What Do We Do at Rapid Fire in Terms of SEO with Webflow Templates?

Firstly, as part of any website launch, we run the website through our pre-launch checklist. It's not completely SEO-oriented, but it covers many SEO bases.

Secondly, we run the website through our SEO audit. This is where a lot of fine details come out, and opportunities for SEO optimization arise. Usually, the SEO actions we take as a result of the audit include:

• Headings optimization
• Meta tags: page titles and meta descriptions optimization
• Internal linking opportunities
• Alt texts for images and overall image optimizations
• Ensuring that pages that are not used are drafted and don't appear in a sitemap
• Ensuring that all links are set up correctly with aria labels where needed
• Pointing out all accessibility considerations
• Ensuring that when shared on social media, the website looks stunning
• And other things based on specific templates and their needs

So, can you launch your website off a template without any additional services? Yes, you can. But it's very likely that sooner or later, you will need to come back to these issues and optimization opportunities, and precious time will be lost. I would say don't hesitate to contact Rapid Fire Web Studio for a quote and a detailed explanation of what can and will be done.