Framer has become one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) and website builders in recent years. We’re using Framer for this site as well. With Framer, creating sleek, interactive websites is not difficult. However, a visually appealing website isn’t enough to succeed—SEO is essential.

So, how does Framer perform when it comes to SEO?

The short answer: Framer is pretty solid at SEO, but some effort on your part is necessary. Like many powerful CMS platforms, Framer requires SEO enhancements and best practices to unlock its full potential.

Let’s dive into Framer's SEO capabilities.

Speed

Website speed is often a common issue with many CMS platforms, requiring extra extensions or developers to optimize performance. However, Framer delivers fast websites right out of the box. While I don’t have deep technical expertise, I’m satisfied with the results. Both speed tests and manual tests on smartphones and laptops show impressive performance.

That said, maintaining this speed requires some attention from us:

• Avoid using large images. Always optimize them before uploading. Use tools like TinyPNG to compress images.

• Be cautious with external fonts, as they may slow down load times.

• Embedded tools from external sources can also impact speed.

• Limit your reliance on third-party extensions.

Here are some websites where you can check your website's speed and discover tips for potential improvements:"

• GTmetrix

• Google PageSpeed Insights

Unique Design

While not directly an SEO factor, the uniqueness of a website’s design can indirectly affect its ranking. Some argue that using overly popular CMS platforms or themes can negatively impact SEO.

One common discussion revolves around the idea that too many websites look the same, which can lead to user fatigue. Spammy sites also tend to use similar designs, which may trigger prejudice from search engines.

Framer offers an advantage here. Since it’s not yet as widely adopted as other CMS platforms, both users and search engines aren’t as "bored" with it. Plus, with its drag-and-drop editor and custom design options, Framer encourages unique, personalized websites. This uniqueness is great for both branding and SEO.

Customization Tips for Other CMS Platforms

There’s a lot of debate over whether similar-looking sites lead to user or search engine bias. While this belief is subjective, most popular CMS platforms, like WordPress, offer extensive customization options. For example, paid themes and builders like Elementor allow you to create unique designs that are both professional and easy to manage.

Larger CMS platforms also have vast communities and resources, making it possible to create fully custom themes that look and function exactly how you want. Explore WordPress's block editor for more customization.

Schema Markup

Google wants to categorize your content based on its type—whether it's a recipe, news article, or job post. While this topic is a bit technical, it’s crucial for SEO. Using Schema Markup on your posts will help Google understand and display your content correctly.

Please see Framer's schema guide

Internal Linking & Content Recommendations

Internal linking is a key part of SEO. While many CMS platforms automate this process, Framer requires manual linking. This can actually be a good thing, as carefully selected links to related articles improve user experience and SEO. Though it takes more time, the added effort is often worth it.

Update: Now it is possible to add 'Previous' and 'Next' buttons to posts in a CMS, a good feature for internal linking. Please see, CMS Previous & Next

Categories, Tags, and Taxonomies

In Framer, category pages need to be created manually. While tags might not directly impact SEO, they can help users find articles more easily when browsing.

When researching recommended CMS features for content and categories on Framer, be sure to include the term 'CMS.' Framer's field feature is easy to use and flexible, allowing you to create custom fields for your posts. For example, if you want to share sources at the end of each post, you can create a 'source' text box. This allows you to provide clearer and more organized content.

Please see: Framer: Category Pages

Meta Titles and Descriptions

Framer excels here. For each post, you can fully customize the meta title and description, or use templates like “Post Title - Site Title” for consistency. This gives you great control over how your content appears in search results.

Please see Framer's Metadata Lesson

Mobile Friendliness

Mobile usability is a major SEO factor. Framer allows full customization of mobile layouts, ensuring a smooth experience across all devices. This flexibility is a significant advantage when optimizing for mobile.

H Tags and Hierarchy

Framer recognizes header tags (H1, H2, etc.), and you can customize their appearance, including font, size, and color. Proper use of H tags is crucial for SEO, as it helps search engines understand your content structure.

Off-Page SEO

Off-page SEO, such as link building, is one of the most important aspects of SEO and is unrelated to the CMS you use. While CMS communities can help with collaboration, your niche and domain authority are far more important in shaping your off-page SEO strategy.

Google Search Console Integration

One of the essentials for SEO is tracking performance. Framer integrates seamlessly with Google Search Console, allowing you to monitor your site's performance, check page indexing, and create sitemaps effortlessly.

Editor’s Note: Both Framer and WordPress are fantastic CMS platforms, and they’ve powered countless websites, projects, blogs, and content creations. They truly deserve a lot of respect! But don’t forget to explore other CMS options before making a decision—there’s no "best" CMS. It all depends on your project, goals, budget, content type, and more.

Disclaimer:

- These tips are for informational purposes only and do not guarantee any specific SEO or business results.

- We are not affiliated with or endorsed by Framer. Framer owns the rights to its brand and platform. All opinions and recommendations are based on our own experiences and research.