This website checklist helps you test for conversions, security, responsiveness, and UI, so you’re ready when customers come through the door.
Whether you’re building a new website from scratch or giving your existing one a makeover, a website launch can feel daunting. Months of planning, designing, and optimization go into creating a site people will love to spend time (and shop!) on.
Creating a website launch checklist can help you prevent small details from slipping through the cracks. Here are 19 essential tasks to review before, during, and after your website launch to deliver a smooth user experience.
Prelaunch website checklist
1.Choose a CMS and configure Google Analytics
2.Review metadata
3.Tease the launch to generate buzz
4.Develop an SEO strategy
A comprehensive prelaunch checklist sets the foundation for a successful website launch. Without one, you may find yourself scrambling to fix overlooked issues once your new website is live.
#1 Choose a CMS and configure Google Analytics
The first step in building out a new website is to find the right content management system (CMS). Platforms like Shopify lets you manage customer information and track orders and inventory.
Set up your Google Analytics and ensure you’re properly tracking key events, like conversions. Google’s latest analytics property, GA4, tracks standard events like purchases, but you may also want to tag custom events, like specific button clicks, through Google Tag Manager.
#3 Review metadata
Metadata helps search engines understand your website content to accurately rank your pages. This includes:
1.Title tags
2.Meta descriptions
3.Alt text
4.Structured data
5.Canonical tags
#3 Tease the launch to generate buzz
Use social media, email teasers, and prelaunch incentives to build anticipation. Since SEO can take months to gain traction, early promotion ensures you have an audience eager to check out your website on day one. Share product sneak peeks or behind-the-scenes content to generate excitement.
#4 Develop an SEO strategy
Having a strong on-page search engine optimization (SEO) strategy helps you gain more visibility in search engine rankings, driving organic traffic to your website without ad spend. Target the right keywords—words that drive search traffic—by doing keyword research and creating content plans for new product pages, landing pages, and blog posts.
#5 At-launch website checklist
1.Run a site audit
2.Generate an XML sitemap
3.Check third-party integrations
4.Create back-ups
5.Check for compliance
6.Check redirects
7.Check your robots.txt file
8.Check for responsiveness
9.Review accessibility
10.Review copy, links, and branding
#7 Post-launch website checklist
1.Test the user experience (again)
2.Secure your site
3.Announce your launch
4.Map out a maintenance plan
5.Build out your blog
Once your website is launched, make sure it’s set up for growth.
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