October 2024

Using Reverse Proxy Solutions to Solve SEO Challenges for Publsh.ai

Resolved a complex multi-domain issue, integrating Webflow with Next.js to enhance website performance and user experience using Cloudflare Workers.

Client Overview

The first DIY media platform where users are the captain of their own media ship.

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The client faced technical and user experience challenges due to a fragmented site structure with the homepage on Webflow and the main application on a separate Next.js subdomain. This led to navigation issues and an inconsistent experience, complicating content management and reducing flexibility in design.

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Problem Statement

Technical Issues with Webflow and Subdomain Integration

The client encountered several technical and user experience obstacles due to hosting their Webflow homepage (example.com) separately from their Next.js application (app.example.com). These challenges included:

Inconsistent User Experience: Users encountered a noticeable shift in design and navigation when transitioning between the homepage and the application.
Content Management Difficulties: Maintaining design and content consistency across platforms required additional resources and was prone to errors.
Integration Limitations: Routing and managing assets across the domains led to technical issues such as rendering problems and broken styles.‍
Underutilized Design Potential: The powerful design features of Webflow were not fully leveraged due to the limitations in integrating with the Next.js subdomain.

Solution

Implementing a Reverse Proxy with Cloudflare Workers to Unify Webflow and Next.js

GroRapid Labs developed a custom solution using Cloudflare Workers to implement a reverse proxy, unifying the client’s domain structure and creating a seamless integration between Webflow and the Next.js application.‍

Developing the Reverse Proxy Solution with Cloudflare Workers
GroRapid Labs created a custom Cloudflare Worker script to manage traffic, resource routing, and seamless navigation:

URL Consolidation: Routed traffic from app.example.com to example.com/app, establishing a unified structure with consistent navigation.
Asset Management: Configured the script to correctly route static assets, ensuring that the website maintained its styling and interactive features when served under the main domain.
Custom Redirection Rules: Developed custom redirect rules to manage complex paths and prevent broken links.
Dynamic Content Handling: Enabled dynamic routing for Webflow pages, allowing the homepage to control elements such as headers and footers for application pages.

Results

Improved Website Integration and User Experience

The solution significantly improved both the technical and user experience aspects of the site:

Unified User Experience: Navigation between the homepage and application was seamless, with no visual or structural inconsistencies.
Enhanced Design Flexibility: Webflow’s design capabilities were fully leveraged across all pages, providing a cohesive aesthetic.
Simplified Content Management: The client was able to manage content and design in Webflow while maintaining the application’s functionality in Next.js.‍
Reduced Maintenance Complexity: By consolidating domains, the client significantly reduced maintenance overhead and improved the efficiency of content updates.

Using Reverse Proxy Solutions to Solve SEO Challenges for Publsh.ai

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