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How can I fix the issue with Google PageSpeed where I have 1 blocking script resource and 4 blocking CSS resources causing a delay in rendering my Webflow page?

TL;DR
  • Move all custom scripts to the Footer using the defer attribute to delay execution.
  • Avoid or preload third-party CSS, and reduce unused frameworks.
  • Minimize complex components and animations to reduce Webflow's CSS.
  • Consider splitting long pages or exporting the site for advanced control.

Your Google PageSpeed Insights report shows render-blocking JavaScript and CSS, which delay how quickly your Webflow page becomes visible to users. Here’s how you can mitigate this within Webflow’s limitations.

1. Understand Webflow's Render-Blocking Assets

  • Webflow auto-injects JS and CSS in a way that ensures functionality across all browsers, but this can introduce render-blocking resources.
  • Webflow’s core styles and scripts are typically loaded in the <head> for safety and functionality, which PageSpeed may flag as blocking.

2. Optimize Custom Code Placement

  • Move non-critical scripts to Footer: In Page Settings > Custom Code, place custom <script> tags in the “Before tag” section instead of the header.
  • Add defer attribute: If adding inline <script> tags in the Footer, add defer (e.g., <script defer src="..."></script>) to delay execution until page load. Avoid async for scripts that depend on others.
  • Avoid blocking fonts or heavy scripts in the head.

3. Reduce or Eliminate Third-Party CSS

  • Remove unused third-party CSS frameworks like Bootstrap or Normalize if not essential.
  • If you must use external CSS, host them yourself and load them asynchronously using a preload strategy:
  • Example: <link rel="preload" href="style.css" as="style" onload="this.onload=null;this.rel='stylesheet';">

4. Minimize Webflow-Generated CSS Blocking

  • While you can’t directly move or delay Webflow's generated CSS, you can reduce complexity:
  • Avoid unnecessary interactions or animations if they require extra JS/CSS.
  • Limit the use of symbols or complex components that may increase CSS payloads.

5. Consider Page Splitting (for Large Pages)

  • If your page is large or contains many sections, consider splitting long pages into smaller ones using internal links or lazy-loading techniques.

6. Use Critical Rendering (Advanced, External Hosting Only)

  • If you export your Webflow site for custom hosting, you can:
  • Inline critical CSS in the <head>.
  • Load full stylesheets asynchronously.
  • Fully control which scripts load and when.

Summary

To fix render-blocking script and CSS issues in Webflow:

  • Move all custom scripts to the Footer and use the defer attribute.
  • Avoid or optimize third-party CSS using preload techniques.
  • Limit complexity in Webflow components to reduce core CSS size.
  • Export the site only if critical rendering optimization is essential and you need full control.

While Webflow limits some control over its core assets, these steps can significantly improve initial rendering times.

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