Webflow is a cloud-based platform that allows designers and developers to build responsive websites without code. Besides a visual web design interface, Webflow also offers managed hosting, a content management system (CMS), ecommerce capabilities and more.
Does a Webflow site work in mainland China?
Sites hosted on Webflow are not blocked in China (unless specifically due to content reasons), but the Webflow infrastructure is not built to cater for China by default. As a result, they are subject to the same challenges faced by many other websites in terms of compatibility and speed.
Why do Webflow pages struggle to load in China?
Two core issues: code-based incompatibilities (third-party resources that call blocked, restricted, or slow-performing domains like Google Fonts, YouTube, social scripts, etc.) and infrastructure limitations (global CDNs & offshore hosting can add latency due to geographical distance from visitors in mainland China).
What happens when a Webflow site is accessed in China?
Tests show 16s full-load times, time-outs, missing images or videos, blank text (font files blocked) and incomplete rendering, especially when assets loaded from Webflow domains stall.
How can I test whether my Webflow site works in China?
You can test your site's performance using Chinafy’s グローバル・スピード・テスト または ビジュアル・スピード・テスト to compare load times, TTFB and third-party resources inside vs. outside China.
Do I have to rebuild my Webflow site for China?
No. If you're looking for a way to get your Webflow site performing optimally in China without rebuilding or rehosting, Chinafy can generate a China-friendly version that only China-IP-based visitors see.
Note: Some businesses may still require local hosting and an ICP license depending on their operations and business needs. For those, Chinafy can support onshore configurations. Always consult your legal/compliance team as needed.
- Generates a version of your website for China visitors without affecting your current site.
- Combines both in-person and platform-level features to detect and replace blocked or slow resources that cause loading delays.
- If you're hosting offshore, Chinafy routes China-IP-based traffic to the China-optimized version of your site. If you're already hosting onshore, all your traffic will see the optimized version for China visitors.
- Chinafy then keeps your China-optimized site in sync with your global one, so any content changes are reflected accordingly.
Does adding a China CDN solve Webflow performance issues?
A China-based CDN can improve loading speeds as static assets will be delivered from a node closer to the end user. However, as with onshore hosting, a China CDN only solves part of the problem with cross-border China web performance. A CDN does not handle for third-party resources, which are often the primary technical reason why a site performs poorly in mainland China.
An ICP filing or license is legally required only if you opt for mainland China hosting or use a China-based CDN where ICP compliance is mandatory. This requirement applies to any website that is physically hosted within China or utilizes China-based infrastructure - regardless of the CMS or site-building platform being used.
Fill out the form and one of our Chinafy team members will reach out to you within 1 business day to book an initial call or with a plan for next steps.
check30%-40% faster compared to using a CDN alone.
checkVerifiable results in just 2 weeks, instead of 1-2 years.
checkLittle to no action required from your IT teams.