A practical website launch checklist
A site is ready to launch when people can use it, its connections work and you can recover it. Appearance is one part of that check.
Walk through a customer’s task
- Open the site on a phone and a larger screen.
- Follow the main menu and important buttons.
- Read the product or service promise and any term limitations.
- Test contact forms and confirmation messages.
- For purchases, verify the intended product and cart total before any charge.
Check the public version
Confirm HTTPS and the preferred domain, with sensible redirects from alternatives. Remove accidental launch-time noindex settings from public pages, but keep staging protected. Check that important content is present in readable HTML and that the sitemap contains the intended URLs.
Prepare for an error
Keep a recent files-and-database backup, a tested restore method and a record of the release. Confirm the right account can manage the domain, hosting and content. Do not share administrator credentials across unrelated contractors.
Measure after launch
Use the correct site’s search and analytics properties. Record contact or purchase outcomes separately from page views. Check again after DNS changes have had time to propagate, and review real inquiries for problems that a technical checklist missed. Launch is a starting point for maintenance, not evidence that the site will rank immediately.
Your next step
Compare website-builder plans. Confirm current availability, inclusions and billing terms before purchasing.
Related guides
- Measure website inquiries without confusing clicks with customers
- How to check whether a website backup can actually restore