How can I achieve better performance for my Webflow website on mobile devices, as it currently has a low score on mobile performance tests compared to desktop performance?

Your Webflow site may perform well on desktop but poorly on mobile due to large assets, inefficient layout shifts, excessive scripts, or unoptimized animations. Here's how to improve mobile performance effectively:

1. Optimize Images for Mobile

• Use WebP format whenever possible by uploading WebP versions in the Assets panel or using Webflow’s automatic image optimization.
• Enable lazy loading on images (Webflow sets loading="lazy" by default for most images).
• Resize large images manually for mobile if Webflow’s responsive resizing isn’t sufficient.
• Avoid using full-resolution images in mobile breakpoints—use smaller versions where possible.

2. Reduce Animations and Interactions on Mobile

• Disable or simplify interactions and scroll-triggered animations for mobile breakpoints.
• Heavy animations and scroll events (especially ones with While scrolling in view) degrade mobile performance.
• Use conditional visibility or interaction triggers to limit complex animations only to desktop.

3. Minimize Custom Code and Third-Party Scripts

• Remove unnecessary scripts from the Page Settings or Site Settings > Custom Code.
• Load third-party scripts asynchronously or deferred whenever possible (e.g., insert them with async or defer in the embed).
• Replace heavy plugins (e.g., chat widgets or analytics tools) with lighter alternatives on mobile only, using script conditions.

4. Avoid Layout Shifts

• Set explicit width and height on images and elements to prevent Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS).
• Avoid setting elements to 100vh on mobile without accounting for mobile browser UI differences.
• Use flexbox and grid layouts carefully for consistent rendering between screen sizes.

5. Audit Fonts Usage

• Use system fonts or limit custom fonts to one or two styles.
• Ensure font-display: swap is enabled via custom CSS if needed to prevent blocking rendering.

6. Control DOM Size and Element Count

• Excessive DOM elements on mobile can slow rendering.
• Simplify layouts and hide non-essential sections using Webflow’s responsive visibility settings.
• Reuse layout components like symbols and reduce nesting where possible.

7. Use Webflow’s Responsive Tools Effectively

• Go through each breakpoint (Tablet → Landscape Mobile → Portrait Mobile).
• Regularly inspect if certain desktop features (like sliders, parallax elements, tabs) are overkill or broken on mobile.

8. Run a Mobile-Focused Audit

• Use Lighthouse in Chrome DevTools, the WebPageTest mobile test, or PageSpeed Insights, focusing on:
• First Contentful Paint (FCP)
• Time to Interactive (TTI)
• Total Blocking Time (TBT)
• Use the data to pinpoint mobile-specific issues, such as slow-loading resources or script delays.

Summary

To improve mobile performance in Webflow, optimize image delivery, minimize animations and scripts, reduce layout shifts, and leverage responsive design best practices. Regularly testing with tools like Lighthouse ensures ongoing mobile speed improvements.