Are there any issues when using Webflow where navigation items linked to home page sections no longer work when on other pages, and should they be linked with URLs instead?

In Webflow, linking navigation items to home page sections should work seamlessly across all pages on your site. However, there can be instances where navigation items linked to home page sections do not work as expected when on other pages. Here are a few possible scenarios that can cause this issue and some solutions:

1. Anchor IDs not set correctly: Each section on your homepage should have a unique ID assigned to it, which acts as an anchor. When linking navigation items to these sections, you must ensure that you have entered the correct ID in the URL field of the link settings. Double-check the spelling, case sensitivity, and any special characters of the anchor ID to ensure it matches exactly.

2. Page structure changes: If you have recently made changes to your homepage structure, such as rearranging sections or adding/removing sections, the anchor IDs could have changed. Review your homepage to ensure the anchor IDs are still accurate, and update the navigation links accordingly.

3. Interactions interfering with navigation: If you have added scroll-based interactions, such as scroll animation triggers, to your homepage sections, they might interfere with the smooth scrolling behavior when navigating from other pages. In this case, it's generally recommended to disable these interactions on other pages where the navigation may be used.

4. JavaScript conflicts: If you have custom JavaScript code on your site, it's possible that it could interfere with the navigation functionality. Check your JavaScript code for any conflicts or errors that might impact the smooth scrolling behavior. Temporarily disabling custom code can help identify the issue.

Regarding your question about linking with URLs, it can be an alternative solution. Instead of using anchors, you can link navigation items to specific URLs that correspond to each section on your homepage. This method bypasses any potential anchor-related issues but requires manually updating the URLs if your section structure changes in the future.

To link with URLs, navigate to the other page where you want the navigation item to scroll to a specific section on the homepage. Copy the URL of that section when previewing the homepage and use that as the link URL for the navigation item on the other pages. The URL should include the full domain and the section's slug (e.g., https://www.example.com/#section-slug).

In conclusion, while linking navigation items to home page sections should work correctly, there can be situations where issues arise. By considering the factors mentioned above and potentially opting for URL-based links, you can ensure a smooth navigation experience throughout your site.