Root domain as default (issues and solutions, SEO)

Publishing help SEO
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For a while I’ve been trying to find a way to use a root/naked domain as the default domain for a website. (domain.com / without the www).

Webflow allows me to set the domain on my dashboard and offers documentation on how to set up the DNS servers here. Basically, using a DNS server that allows for CNAME flattening (like Cloudflare) does the trick and the solution works well. :white_check_mark:

However, I found out that this setup does not work well with Google Indexing. :x:

Looking at my Google Search Console I found out that my page is not properly indexed due to multiple “Redirect Errors”.

www.domain.com - Page with redirect. These pages aren’t indexed or served on Google
domain.com - Redirect error. These pages aren’t indexed or served on Google

Is there a solution to this indexing problem?
Could we consider using the root domain as a default as a viable alternative with Webflow?

I’d love to be able to use my root domain as default, but If it’s not technically possible I’d prefer to know it than spend more time trying to make it work. I also think the Webflow documentation should reflect that.

What do you think? @webdev @memetican (tagging you since you’re very active and knowledgeable).

Thank you!

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Hi Gustavo, I have not explored CNAME flattening, so I haven’t encountered this. But the redirect issues sounds a bit strange. What’s your domain name?

Without poking around a bit, I can’t guess much, but a few things I’d check;

  • Make sure your Default domain is set to your eg yoursite.com without the www.
  • Make sure your canonical is https://yoursite.com
    meaning https:, no www, and no ending /
  • Save and republish just to make sure those settings are current.
  • Dig through the webflow docs to see if there are any differences in setup.

Beyond that, the support team is your best bet, they diagnose these types of configuration issues often.

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Thanks for the quick reply @memetican

My link is weheartemojis.com

I went through your list and it seems like everything is in order. Initially, my canonical link was wrong but I fixed it earlier today (after reading another post you commented on).

:white_check_mark: Make sure your Default domain is set to your eg yoursite.com without the www.

:white_check_mark: Make sure your canonical is https://yoursite.com
meaning https:, no www, and no ending /

:white_check_mark: Save and republish just to make sure those settings are current.

:white_check_mark: Dig through the webflow docs to see if there are any differences in setup.

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