Website Launch Checklist

This checklist is designed to help ensure your website launch goes smoothly, whether you're using a website builder like Squarespace, a content management system like WordPress, or a custom-built solution. We've focused particularly on elements that are commonly overlooked during the website launch process.

Pre-Launch Essentials

Domain & Technical Setup

  • Confirm domain name is properly connected to your site
  • Set up SSL certificate (check that https:// works properly)
  • Create professional email addresses with your domain
  • Check DNS settings are properly configured
  • Set up redirects for www vs non-www version of your site
  • Configure automatic backups

Content & Copy Review

  • Proofread all content for spelling and grammar errors
  • Check for outdated information or placeholder text
  • Verify all phone numbers and email addresses are correct and clickable
  • Ensure all links in navigation and footer work correctly
  • Remove any unnecessary pages or draft content
  • Check that formatting is consistent across all pages

Functionality Testing

  • Test all forms and ensure submissions are properly received
  • Verify thank you/confirmation pages work correctly
  • Test checkout process with a real purchase (if applicable)
  • Ensure search functionality works properly
  • Test all interactive elements (accordions, sliders, etc.)
  • Check that filtering and sorting options work correctly

Mobile & Responsive Testing

  • Test website on multiple devices (phones, tablets, desktops)
  • Check that menu and navigation work properly on mobile
  • Verify contact details are easily accessible on mobile devices
  • Ensure all buttons are large enough for touchscreens
  • Check that forms are user-friendly on smaller screens
  • Verify that images resize appropriately on different devices

Legal & Compliance

  • Add privacy policy page
  • Include terms and conditions page
  • Create cookie consent notice
  • Ensure GDPR compliance (especially for collecting user data)
  • Add accessibility statement
  • Include required business information (company number, registered address)

User Experience

  • Ensure site load times are optimised (under 3 seconds)
  • Create a custom 404 error page
  • Set up breadcrumb navigation for easy site traversal
  • Check readability of text (font size, contrast, etc.)
  • Ensure consistent branding throughout the site
  • Verify that call-to-action buttons are prominent

Launch Day Tasks

Final Checks

  • Perform cross-browser testing (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
  • Take a complete backup of the site before going live
  • Remove any development-related files or comments
  • Check that maintenance mode is disabled
  • Verify that password protection is removed from all pages
  • Run a broken link checker to catch any missed errors

Analytics & Tracking

  • Set up Google Analytics or equivalent tracking
  • Install Google Search Console
  • Configure key conversion goals and events
  • Set up heat mapping tools (if applicable)
  • Implement Facebook Pixel or other ad platform tracking
  • Test that all tracking codes are firing correctly

SEO Essentials

  • Verify all pages have unique meta titles and descriptions
  • Check that all images have alt text
  • Create and submit XML sitemap to search engines
  • Ensure robots.txt file is properly configured
  • Check that heading structure is logical (H1, H2, H3)
  • Verify schema markup is correctly implemented

Post-Launch Tasks

Performance Monitoring

  • Check site performance after launch (speed, uptime)
  • Monitor for 404 errors or broken links
  • Review analytics for any unusual patterns
  • Test signup/purchase flows with real users
  • Ask colleagues to test site functionality
  • Monitor form submissions and enquiries

External Platforms

  • Add site to Google Business Profile
  • Update social media profiles with new website link
  • Create social sharing images for website content
  • Set up business listings on relevant directories
  • Add website to email signatures
  • Update any offline marketing materials with new URL

Maintenance Planning

  • Schedule regular content updates
  • Set calendar reminders for plugin/theme updates
  • Plan for regular security scans
  • Create schedule for backup verification
  • Set up uptime monitoring
  • Develop ongoing SEO improvement strategy

Commonly Overlooked Elements

Security Measures

  • Change default admin username (especially in WordPress)
  • Implement strong password policy
  • Set up two-factor authentication where available
  • Configure firewall protection
  • Set up malware scanning
  • Limit login attempts to prevent brute force attacks

Performance Optimisation

  • Optimise image sizes throughout the site
  • Enable browser caching
  • Minimise CSS and JavaScript files
  • Remove unused plugins or extensions
  • Implement lazy loading for images
  • Configure a content delivery network (CDN)

User Engagement

  • Set up newsletter signup form
  • Add social sharing buttons to content
  • Create downloadable resources to generate leads
  • Implement live chat functionality if appropriate
  • Include testimonials and social proof elements
  • Add FAQ section for common questions

Final Checks Before Announcement

  • Check all pages render correctly
  • Verify site speed is acceptable
  • Ensure contact methods are working
  • Test primary conversion paths
  • Verify mobile responsiveness
  • Make sure analytics is capturing data correctly

This checklist was created by Vibe Web Design to help ensure a successful website launch. For professional web design and marketing services, feel free to contact us.