The invention relates to improvements in the design of Fischer-Tropsch catalysts comprising a support and cobalt on the support. A first aspect is the modification of the silica support with at least 11 wt % titania to prevent the formation of cobalt silicates, thereby limiting the deactivation resulting from the silicate formation. A second aspect is the provision of C03O4 particles highly dispersed on the catalyst support with an average particle diameter of the cobalt oxide particle of less than 12 nm in order to improve catalytic activity and selectivity. A third aspect is the deposition of the catalyst precursor on the support by contact with a solution or suspension comprising the catalyst metal precursors and a carboxylic acid, preferably an alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acid in order to minimize the fracturing and fragmentation of the catalyst precursor during the following steps of drying and calcining, thereby preventing the formation of smaller catalyst particles, which should be removed by screening in order to limit pressure drop in the reactor.