Framer SEO Checklist: Everything You Need to Optimize Your Site

June 2, 2025

min read

Want your Framer site to rank higher on Google? Here's a quick-start guide to optimizing your website for search engines:

Technical Setup: Enable HTTPS, fix URL structures, and use Framer's auto-generated XML sitemaps and robots.txt files.
Metadata & Content: Write clear title tags (under 60 characters), concise meta descriptions (under 155 characters), and structured headers (H1-H3). Add schema markup for rich results.
Speed & Mobile: Improve Core Web Vitals (LCP under 2.5s, CLS under 0.1), compress images, and ensure mobile responsiveness with proper breakpoints.
Tracking & Updates: Use Google Analytics and Search Console to monitor performance. Update content regularly and fix technical issues like broken links or duplicate content.

SEO is a continuous process, but these steps will lay a strong foundation for boosting your site's visibility and traffic. Let’s dive into the details!

Framer SEO Checklist - Get More Traffic to Your Framer Website (Fast!)

Framer

Technical Setup for Framer SEO

Laying a solid technical foundation is a must for SEO success. These key steps will ensure that search engines can locate, crawl, and index your Framer website effectively.

Enable SSL/TLS Security

Securing your site with HTTPS is non-negotiable for both search engine rankings and user trust. Framer simplifies this by automatically managing SSL/TLS certificates through Let's Encrypt and ZeroSSL - no extra cost or manual setup required.

To ensure everything runs smoothly, double-check your DNS settings. Here’s what you need:

Use A records for your root domain (like example.com).
Set up a CNAME record for subdomains (like www.example.com) pointing to sites.framer.app.
Skip AAAA records and add CAA entries for letsencrypt.org and sectigo.com.

Make sure your DNS records are error-free. If you encounter SSL issues, try clearing your browser cache or testing in a different browser.

Create XML Sitemap and robots.txt Files

Framer has you covered by automatically generating your robots.txt and sitemap.xml files. You can access them by appending /robots.txt or /sitemap.xml to your domain.

While Framer doesn’t let you manually edit the robots.txt file, you can still control which pages search engines index. Use the "Show page in search engines" toggle in your page settings to add a "noindex" meta tag to pages you want hidden from search results. Don’t forget to republish your site after making these changes so they take effect.

For deleted pages, handle them carefully to protect your SEO value. If a deleted page has internal links pointing to it, either remove those links or set up a 301 redirect to a relevant page. For pages with external links or consistent traffic, always redirect them to maintain link equity.

Fix Your URL Structure

While URL structure might be a minor ranking factor, it plays a big role in user experience and click-through rates. A clear, clean URL tells users (and search engines) what to expect and makes sharing easier.

Here’s how to craft effective URLs:

Keep them simple and lowercase.
Use hyphens to separate words.
Include one or two relevant keywords.
Avoid stop words, dates, and special characters.

For example, go with /framer-seo-guide instead of /framer_seo_guide or /the-ultimate-guide-to-framer-2024.

Plan your URL structure before launching your site. Changing URLs later can hurt your SEO unless you manage the transition with 301 redirects.

With these technical elements in place, you're ready to dive into optimizing metadata and content.

Metadata and Content Setup

Fine-tuning your titles, meta descriptions, headers, and schema markup is key to helping search engines understand and rank your content effectively.

Write Better Title Tags and Meta Descriptions

Think of title tags and meta descriptions as your content's first impression in search results. Done right, they can drive more clicks and improve visibility.

Title tags should be kept under 60 characters so they display correctly on search engine results pages (SERPs). Place your most important keywords at the start of the title, and use just one pipe (|) to separate keywords from your brand name. For example, ALINE uses:
"SEO Best Practices in Spartanburg | ALINE"[26].

Meta descriptions act as a mini-ad for your content and should stay within 155 characters. Although Google only uses the provided meta description about 28% of the time, crafting persuasive descriptions with actionable words like "discover", "learn", or "get" remains crucial. Include your focus keyword naturally and highlight a clear benefit for the reader. For instance, ALINE's meta description reads:
"ALINE, A Marketing Company, provides search engine optimization (SEO) services and content strategy development to businesses in Spartanburg, South Carolina."[26]

Structure Content with Headers (H1-H3)

A well-organized heading structure not only helps readers skim your content but also aids search engines in understanding it. Google's John Mueller has noted:

"We do use H tags to understand the structure of the text on a page better."

Stick to one H1 per page, use H2 for major sections, and H3 for subsections. This hierarchy improves both user experience and search engine comprehension.

For example, Glen Allsopp at Detailed.com included the keyword "advanced link building" in both his page title and main header, which boosted user engagement and aligned with Google's RankBrain algorithm.

When planning your headers, focus on the main takeaways you want visitors to gain. These takeaways can serve as your header tags, creating a logical outline. For step-by-step content, use subheadings to break down each process - this can even help you capture featured snippets. Always include relevant keywords in your headers, but prioritize readability over keyword stuffing.

Add Schema Markup

Schema markup is a powerful tool that helps search engines interpret your content more effectively, often leading to better visibility. In fact, websites using schema markup tend to rank about four positions higher than those that don't.

For example, one client experienced a 50% increase in click-through rates after implementing FAQ schema.

JSON-LD is Google's preferred format for schema markup because it's easier to read, manage, and update than other formats. As John Lincoln from Ignite Visibility puts it:

"JSON-LD simplifies organizing data for search engines."

Focus on applying schema markup to pages that can benefit most from rich results, such as product listings, reviews, articles, and local business pages. Google's Structured Data Markup Helper can guide you in selecting the right schema type, and you can validate your markup using Google's Rich Results Test.

Since fewer than one-third of websites currently use schema markup, adding it can give you a noticeable edge. Just make sure your schema details match the information on your Google Business Profile and other online platforms.

With your metadata and structured content set up, the next step is to turn your attention to site speed and mobile performance.

Speed and Mobile Setup

After fine-tuning your technical and metadata setup, it's time to focus on speed and mobile performance. These factors not only influence user experience but also play a role in how Google ranks your Framer website. Optimizing them is a must.

Fix Core Web Vitals

Core Web Vitals are Google's performance metrics designed to measure how users experience your site. They assess loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability - factors that can make or break your search rankings and engagement.

Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): This measures how fast your main content loads. Aim for an LCP under 2.5 seconds.
Interaction to Next Paint (INP): This evaluates how responsive your site is when users interact with it. Keep this below 200ms.
Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): This tracks visual stability. A score under 0.1 ensures that layout shifts don't disrupt the user experience.

Right now, only 46% of mobile pages and 47% of desktop pages meet the recommended CLS score. To improve:

For LCP: Preload key resources like fonts and stylesheets.
For INP: Reduce JavaScript execution and use CSS animations instead of JavaScript for smoother interactions.
For CLS: Assign fixed dimensions to images and ads, and avoid placing new content above existing elements unless it's user-triggered.

Framer users can optimize further by simplifying layer structures. Reducing nesting and consolidating similar elements can make rendering faster and less complex.

As Backlinko wisely points out:

"Prioritize content quality and user experience over one single score."

Remember, while PageSpeed Insights scores are helpful, it's the actual Core Web Vitals performance that impacts SEO.

Next, let’s talk about making your media files more efficient.

Compress Images and Media Files

Images are a major contributor to page weight, accounting for about 50% of all bytes on a typical webpage. Since 2011, image sizes have ballooned - growing nearly fivefold on desktop pages and more than sevenfold on mobile. This makes proper image compression a top priority.

Framer simplifies this process by automatically converting uploaded images to the AVIF format and resizing them to various resolutions (512, 1024, 2048, and 4096 pixels) to suit different screens. AVIF offers excellent compression - WebP images, for example, are 26% smaller than PNGs and 25–34% smaller than JPEGs without sacrificing quality.

For SVGs, upload them as image fills instead of embedding them directly. Framer uses SVGO to optimize these files, further boosting performance.

The impact of image compression can be dramatic. For instance, Shinola, a luxury goods brand, reduced page weight by 50% and shaved 1 second off load times by optimizing their images.

Here are some tips for image optimization:

Use JPEG for photos, PNG for graphics requiring transparency, and rely on Framer's AVIF conversion for the best results.
Resize images to their display dimensions before uploading.
For advanced compression, try tools like the Framer Compr plugin. As Studio Duo, the plugin's creator, explains:

"Framer Compr is your go-to plugin for effortless media optimization on Framer. Compress images and videos without losing quality, speed up load times, and enhance your site's performance - all with zero hassle."

Test Mobile Performance

With mobile devices driving nearly 60% of all web traffic in 2023, optimizing for mobile is no longer optional. However, mobile pages are, on average, 70.9% slower than their desktop counterparts. Testing and improving mobile performance is essential.

Start by setting up breakpoints for different screen sizes to ensure your design adapts seamlessly. Suggested breakpoints include:

Desktop Large: 1920px
Desktop Medium: 1440px
Tablet Large: 1024px
Tablet Medium: 840px
Mobile: 390px

Adjust text sizes for each breakpoint - for example, scale a 64px heading on desktop to 44px on tablets and 32px on mobile. This ensures your design remains visually appealing and easy to read across devices.

Framer's preview tools let you test your design on various screen sizes, but it's equally important to check performance on actual devices. Focus on touch target sizes, simple navigation, and load times, especially on mobile networks.

Use relative units like percentages, ems, or rems for widths, heights, and font sizes instead of fixed pixels. On larger screens, cap your content width at around 1440px to avoid excessive stretching.

To simplify the mobile experience:

Remove unnecessary elements.
Streamline navigation so users can quickly find what they need.
Use Framer's stack feature to ensure your site scales effectively across devices.

Keep an eye on your site's mobile performance as you add new content or make design updates. Regular testing ensures your site stays user-friendly and search engine-friendly. By addressing these areas, you'll not only improve user satisfaction but also boost your site's search rankings.

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Track and Improve Your Results

Once you've worked on technical and speed optimizations, the next step is to monitor your site's performance and make updates as needed. SEO is a continuous process, and keeping an eye on your results is crucial for maintaining and improving your Framer site's rankings.

Set Up Google Search Console and Analytics

Google Search Console

To track how visitors interact with your site and measure SEO performance, set up Google Search Console and Google Analytics. These free tools provide valuable insights into your site's traffic and user behavior.

Google Analytics Setup: Start by creating a Google Analytics account. Add your Measurement ID in Framer's Site Settings under "Google Analytics Measurement ID", then publish your site. Verify the setup using real-time reports to ensure everything is working properly.
Google Search Console Setup: Use the URL Prefix method to add your site (make sure to include "https://"). Verify ownership by placing the provided meta tag in the head section of your General Settings, publish your site, and confirm ownership in Search Console. Don’t forget to submit your sitemap, which is typically located at https://www.example.com/sitemap.xml - Framer generates this automatically.

Once these tools are in place, you can start analyzing your site's performance and focus on keeping your content updated and addressing any technical issues that arise.

Update and Review Content Regularly

Search engines favor websites that stay active with fresh content. Regular updates not only signal activity but also improve user engagement and keyword relevance. Refreshing your content can lead to noticeable improvements in rankings and organic traffic.

Start with your most important pages - those that were performing well but have since slipped in rankings or those already receiving significant traffic. Pay attention to:

Pages with low rankings for target keywords.
Evergreen content published over a year ago.
Content referencing outdated dates or years.
Pages with poor user experience or minimal organic traffic.

Enhance these pages with updated insights, new data, or improved readability. For inspiration, check out competitor pages covering similar topics. Once updated, resubmit the content to Google for re-indexing and track metrics like impressions, keyword rankings, and click-through rates to measure progress.

As Tara Johns, a Website Optimization Specialist, puts it:

"Updating old content will help your ranking potential…Keeping content fresh ups your odds of being shown to the right people."

Refreshing existing content is often more efficient than creating new material. It requires fewer resources and can deliver results in just days instead of months. Aim to update content weekly to stay competitive and perform a full content audit every six months.

While content updates are crucial, technical issues also demand regular attention to ensure your site performs at its best.

Fix Common Technical Problems

Technical issues can drag down your rankings, so it's essential to address them promptly. Common issues include HTTPS security errors, indexing problems, XML sitemap errors, robots.txt misconfigurations, slow page speeds, duplicate content, broken links, and missing alt tags.

Tools like Google Search Console, Google PageSpeed Insights, Semrush, and Ahrefs can help identify and prioritize these issues. Start by fixing critical errors, then move on to warnings and notices, focusing on problems that impact crawlability and indexation.

Duplicate content is particularly harmful because it confuses search engines and weakens your site's authority. Anatolii Ulitovskyi from Unmiss explains:

"Duplicate content ultimately confuses search engines and dilutes the authority of your website, leading to lower rankings, decreased organic traffic, and a negative impact on user experience."

Keep an eye on Core Web Vitals metrics like Largest Contentful Paint, Interaction to Next Paint, and Cumulative Layout Shift. These metrics play a significant role in user experience and search rankings. Additionally, remember that 72.9% of sites lack meta descriptions. While meta descriptions don't directly impact rankings, they influence click-through rates, so it's worth optimizing them.

Make it a habit to check for broken links, review mobile performance, and verify that all images have proper alt text every month. Regular maintenance ensures your Framer site stays in top shape and helps prevent issues from affecting your search rankings.

Summary and Next Steps

After tackling technical, metadata, and speed optimizations, it's time to focus on maintaining and improving your site's performance. Start by connecting your site to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools - these platforms will help you track indexing and overall performance.

Begin with the essentials that can deliver quick results. Verify your site's indexing using the site: search operator. Fine-tune your title tags (keep them under 60 characters) and meta descriptions (under 160 characters). Organize your content effectively with one H1 tag and logical H2/H3 subheadings.

Next, enhance your images by adding descriptive alt text and compressing them into modern formats like WebP or AVIF for faster load times. Regularly test your site's speed and mobile responsiveness using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or Lighthouse.

If you're using Framer, many SEO fundamentals are already handled for you. Framer provides optimized markup, automatic sitemaps, robots.txt files, and built-in canonical tags. As the Framer team explains:

"Framer optimizes your pages for excellent SEO by default, offering full control over SEO markup, indexing rules, redirects, and more."

To achieve long-term SEO success, consistent effort is key. With Google rolling out around 600 search algorithm updates annually, staying ahead is a moving target. Consider these best practices:

Quarterly SEO audits to identify areas for improvement.
Monthly reviews of on-page elements like titles, descriptions, and headers.
Keyword reevaluation every three to six months to align with search trends.

In addition, set up a monthly maintenance routine. Check for broken links, ensure image alt text is accurate, monitor mobile performance, and review Core Web Vitals metrics. Use internal links to improve navigation and implement 301 redirects when reorganizing your site. Remember, search engines reward sites that stay current and provide relevant, updated content.

FAQs

How can I keep my Framer site secure and trustworthy for users and search engines?

To ensure your Framer site stays secure and earns the trust of both users and search engines, there are a few key steps you should take.

Start by securing your site with HTTPS through an SSL certificate. This step not only protects sensitive user data but also gives your site a boost in search engine rankings.

Next, use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication to guard against unauthorized access. It's also important to keep your site's software and plugins up to date. Regular updates help patch vulnerabilities and keep your site aligned with current security standards.

Lastly, make the most of Framer's built-in security features, including DDoS protection and data encryption, to add an extra layer of protection to your site.

By implementing these strategies, you’ll create a more secure environment for your visitors while enhancing the credibility of your site in the eyes of search engines.

How can I improve my Framer site's mobile performance, and why does it matter?

To improve the mobile performance of your Framer site, focus on these practical steps:

Compress images: Use lightweight formats like WebP and keep image file sizes under 500 KB to speed up loading times.
Reduce external embeds: Limit third-party content, such as widgets or plugins, that can slow down your site.
Use videos wisely: Skip autoplay and host videos on platforms like YouTube or Vimeo for smoother, adaptive streaming.
Enable lazy loading: Ensure images and media load only when users scroll to them, which boosts initial page speed.
Simplify custom code: Check your scripts and components, and trim anything that causes unnecessary delays.

Why does this matter? Mobile performance is a big deal - not just for user satisfaction but also for SEO. A site that takes longer than 3 seconds to load risks losing more than half its visitors. Even a one-second delay can hurt your conversion rates. With Google’s mobile-first indexing, creating a fast, responsive mobile experience isn’t optional - it’s key to staying competitive in search results and keeping visitors engaged.

How do I use schema markup on my Framer site to boost SEO and improve visibility?

Boosting SEO with Schema Markup on Your Framer Site

If you're looking to improve your site's SEO and make it more visible, schema markup is a great tool to start with. It helps search engines understand your content better, which can lead to improved rankings. The best way to implement this is by using structured data in JSON-LD format - a method that's both simple and recommended by Google.

Focus on applying schema markup to key areas of your site, like product pages, blog posts, and FAQ sections. These are high-value pages where structured data can make a significant impact.

You have two main options for adding schema to your Framer site:

Framer's built-in tools: If you're not comfortable with coding, Framer offers features that simplify the process.
Manual insertion: For those familiar with HTML, you can directly add JSON-LD code to your site's HTML.

Once you've added the markup, it's crucial to test it. Use tools like Google's Structured Data Testing Tool to verify everything is set up correctly. And here's a key tip - ensure the schema you add matches the actual content on the page. This alignment is essential for improving both relevance and performance in search results.