Website Launch Checklist: 15 Things to Check Before You Go Live

Launch day is exciting, which is exactly when mistakes slip through. Run through this checklist before you press the button and you will catch most of the problems that make a new site look unfinished.

Content

• Read every page aloud. You will hear typos and awkward sentences that your eyes skip.
• Check names, phone numbers, emails and addresses. One wrong digit costs enquiries.
• Remove placeholder text and images. Search the site for "lorem ipsum" and "coming soon".

Design and mobile

• Test on a real phone. Open every page, tap every button and check the menu.
• Check different screen sizes. Tablets and large monitors often reveal layout issues.
• Confirm images are sharp and not enormous. Big files slow the site down.

Forms and functionality

• Submit every form. Confirm the message arrives in the right inbox and the thank-you page appears.
• Check spam protection works without blocking real enquiries.
• Click every link. Make sure none go to the wrong place or a dead page.

Speed and technical

• Run a speed test. Look at how quickly the main content appears, especially on mobile.
• Check HTTPS. The padlock should show with no warnings.
• Set up a 404 page that helps people find their way.

SEO basics

• Write a clear title and description for each page. These appear in search results.
• Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console and make sure the site is not set to hide from search engines.

Legal

• Add a privacy policy, and a cookie notice if you use analytics or marketing cookies. Keep it accurate to what your site actually does.

After launch

Keep the checklist and run through it again after big changes. Then check Search Console and analytics after a week to see that everything is being recorded. If you would rather have a team do the checking for you, that is part of every build we do. See our process for how we handle it.