The Ultimate Website Launch Checklist

Congratulations on creating your website! Building a website is no small feat, and you’ve done an amazing job bringing your vision to life. Now your new site is almost ready to go live.

With so many details to manage, that final website checklist might feel like a lot. But don’t worry, we’re here to make it easy.

This go-live checklist will guide you through those last important touches to ensure your site is polished, professional, and ready to launch.

Website launch checklist

Our comprehensive website launch checklist is essential for a smooth and successful launch. Covering every detail ensures your site is polished, professional, and ready to impress.

To make it manageable, we’ve broken the checklist down into 12 parts, each focusing on a critical area—security, performance, design, SEO, and more. With each step, you’re setting your site up for lasting success.

Domain, hosting and security setup (1-6)

Choose a reliable hosting plan for your website’s performance

Set up password protection for secure areas

Install SSL certificate for site security

Set up backup and recovery systems

Create a staging environment for testing

Design & Usability (7-13)

Ensure mobile and tablet responsiveness

Test across multiple browsers (Chrome, Safari, etc.)

Add alt text and enable keyboard navigation for accessibility

Optimize font readability and color contrast

Test design consistency (logos, fonts, color scheme)

Set up intuitive, logical navigation

Implement breadcrumb navigation for better site structure

Performance & Speed (14-20)

Compress images for faster load times

Test server response time using tools (e.g., GTmetrix)

Set up caching and use a CDN for global site speed

Remove unused plugins and scripts

Use Google PageSpeed Insights to boost load time

Streamline CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files

Enable Gzip compression for quicker page loads

SEO Optimization (21-26)

Set up clean URL structure and canonical tags

Add meta tags, titles, and descriptions for each page

Use alt text for images

Optimize header tags (H1, H2, etc.) for better readability and SEO

Integrate relevant keywords throughout your pages

Create an internal linking structure to guide visitors

Content Review & Final Proofing (27-30)

Align content with brand voice and messaging

Check content formatting and readability

Proofread all written content for accuracy

Ensure copyright year and contact details are up to date

Technical SEO Setup (33-37)

Submit sitemap to Google and Bing for indexing

Set up and configure robots.txt file

Implement schema markup to improve search visibility

Ensure XML sitemap is up to date

Verify ahref tags for multilingual sites

Functionality & Interactive Features (38-42)

Test all forms (contact, subscription, feedback)

Verify link and button redirects

Customize your 404-error page

Test embedded media like videos and slideshows

Ensure all calls-to-action (CTAs) are functional

Email & Contact Integration (44-48)

Set up email list segmentation for targeted marketing

Ensure contact forms are linked to email accounts

Integrate email sign-ups with your email system

Test email forms and notifications

Verify email subscriptions and responses

Social Media & Marketing Integration (49-53)

Add social media links and icons

Implement Open Graph and Twitter Cards for social sharing

Enable social sharing buttons on key pages

Ensure social media links open in new tabs

Create a central page with all contact and social links

Analytics & Tracking Configuration (54-58)

Set up Google Analytics tracking code

Integrate Google Search Console for performance monitoring

Use heatmaps and session recording tools for UX insights

Set up conversion tracking and goals

Install Facebook Pixel or other ad platform pixels

Compliance, Privacy, and Legal Setup (59-60)

Add privacy policy, terms of service, and disclaimers

Set up cookie consent banner and ensure ADA compliance

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Domain, hosting, and security setup checklist

A solid domain, hosting, and security setup is where a reliable website begins. Making sure these foundational elements are in place ensures your site is accessible, secure, and ready to welcome visitors with confidence.

1. Register all brand-related domains and set up DNS

Register all domains connected to your brand, including common variations or misspellings. This protects your brand identity and makes it easy for visitors to find you. With the right DNS settings, any version of your domain will lead users to the right place.

2. Make sure your current hosting plan is optimal for your site’s performance

Your hosting plan is the backbone of your website’s speed and site’s performance. Choose a reliable plan. If your site is slow, visitors are more likely to leave and not come back. This greatly impacts your business, website traffic, and search engine ranking.

3. Limit access with password protection

Password protection is useful for sections that require extra site security. This can include admin areas, staging environments, or restricted content. Adding password protection before launching your website ensures a more secure start.

4. Protect your site with an SSL certificate

A SSL certificate is essential for building trust, safeguarding user data, and meeting Google’s security requirements. Without SSL, your site may be vulnerable to cyberattacks. Google can detect vulnerable sites and lowers their ranking in search results to protect web visitors. If you have multiple domain extensions, look for SSL packages that cover several domains. This way, all areas of your new site are protected, keeping you and your visitors safe.

5. Set up backup and recovery

A solid backup and recovery setup protects your entire site if technical issues arise. It also allows you to quickly restore it if something happens or you make changes you aren’t too happy with.

6. Create a staging environment for safe testing

A staging environment lets you test changes before they go live. This gives you the chance to catch any issues without affecting the website layout visitors see. Think of it as a soft website launch to polish every detail before the official launching.

Design, navigation, and accessibility checklist

Your new website should look great and function smoothly on all devices. Ensure compatibility of your site’s design across mobile devices, accessibility for all users, and a consistent website layout.

7. Check mobile and tablet responsiveness

Make sure your new website looks and works well on mobile devices and tablets. Many visitors browse on the go, they’ll use any device that their hands can get on, may it be a phone or tablet.

8. Verify browser compatibility across Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge

Different devices use different browsers. Test your site on each to ensure it displays and functions properly. This gives users a smooth, consistent, high-quality experience on varying search engines.

9. Ensure accessibility compliance, including alt text and keyboard navigation

Accessibility means making your site usable for everyone, including people with disabilities. Add alt text to images, enable keyboard navigation, and follow ADA guidelines to help create an inclusive experience for all visitors.

10. Review font readability and color contrast for inclusivity

Excessive screen time can strain the eyes. Bold colors or hard-to-read fonts can make it even worse. Choose clear fonts and softer colors to create a comfortable web design. Doing so encourages visitors to return and supports a positive user experience.

11. Test design consistency across all pages (logos, color scheme, fonts)

Check that logos, colors, and fonts are consistent across pages. A cohesive website layout builds trust and gives your brand a professional look.

12. Create an intuitive, logical navigation structure

Arrange menus and links so visitors can find what they need quickly. For example, placing your “Contact” link in the top menu makes it easy to locate without extra clicks.

13. Set up breadcrumb navigation to improve site structure and SEO

Breadcrumbs show visitors their current location on your site. This secondary navigation lets them go back a step with a simple click, improving navigation and supporting search engine rankings.

Loading time and performance checklist

It’s essential to fine-tune your site’s performance to give visitors the best experience. These are the things you need to take into account for your new site to run quickly and smoothly.

14. Compress images

Large images can slow down your landing pages. Compressing them keeps quality high while reducing file size. This helps pages load faster and improves the experience for visitors.

15. Check server response time

Server response time impacts how quickly your pages load. Use tools like Bitcatcha and GTmetrix to measure response time and see if your plan fits your site’s performance needs.

16. Set up caching and a CDN

Caching saves data, so returning visitors don’t need to reload everything. A Content Delivery Network (CDN) distributes content across global servers, making your new site faster for all visitors.

17. Remove unused plugins and scripts

Excess plugins and scripts slow down your site. Deleting those you don’t need improves load times and keeps your site efficient.

18. Improve website speed with page load tools

Fast-loading pages keep visitors engaged. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and Pingdom check load times and show ways to boost website speed.

19. Streamline CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files

Go through your code and remove unnecessary spaces, line breaks, or comments. This reduces file sizes and boosts loading speed.

20. Enable Gzip compression

Gzip compresses code files like CSS, JavaScript, and HTML, reducing resource size and speeding up load times. Unlike image compression, Gzip targets code files to help pages load faster.

On-page SEO and metadata optimization checklist

Optimizing your website for search engines might sound complicated. But it’s easier than you think. With a few steps, like setting up meta descriptions, organizing header tags, and adding keywords, you can help search engines understand your content. Plus, it makes it easier for visitors to find and enjoy.

21. Set up URL structure and canonical tags

Start with clear, descriptive URLs for each page. This helps search engines know exactly what each page is about. Plus, it stops duplicate content from messing with your rankings.

22. Add meta tags, titles, and descriptions for each page

Meta titles and descriptions help search engines and visitors find your pages. Here’s how to use them:

Meta titles. Keep your title short and clear—it’s the clickable link people see in search results. Make it stand out!

Meta descriptions. Write a quick, friendly summary of the page. It shows under the title in search results and helps visitors decide if your page is worth checking out.

23. Use alt text for images

Alt text helps search engines and visitors understand your images. Add a short description to explain what each image shows. This makes your site easier to find and more accessible for everyone. For added SEO value, you can insert the keywords within the alt text as well.

24. Optimize header tags (H1, H2, etc.) for search engines and readability

Headers make your content easy to follow and help search engines understand your article better. Keep them clear and simple so visitors and search engines can easily find what they need.

25. Integrate keywords across pages for content optimization

Add relevant keywords naturally into your content. This tells search engines what your page is about and helps you rank higher. Also make use of a strategic keyword placement to boost your rankings significantly.

26. Create solid linking structure

Linking to other pages via internal and external links is key to better traffic and credibility. External links from reputable websites with high domain authority tell search engines that your article is reliable. While internal links guide visitors to more of your content, while external links add credibility.

Content review and final proofing checklist

Before you click publish, take a moment to review your new website content. Ensure it aligns with your brand identity and is consistent throughout.

27. Align content with brand voice and messaging

Your brand voice and messaging should be consistent across your site. This includes your tone, style, and overall language. A unified tone builds trust with visitors, helping them connect with your brand.

If you’re running out of things to say or add, you can use an AI writing tool to help you in the process.

28. Check content formatting and readability

Formatting plays a vital role in keeping your audience engaged. Break up long paragraphs with headings, bullet points, and shorter sections so that your content is easier to digest. Create a logical flow so visitors can follow along smoothly. This improves the user experience and helps keep them on your site longer.

29. Proofreading and quality assurance

Proofreading is essential for ensuring there are no spelling or grammar mistakes. Clean, well-written content increases your credibility. Visitors are more likely to trust your website when it’s polished. Taking the time to fix errors shows your attention to detail.

30. Update copyright year and contact information

Always make sure your copyright year is up-to-date and that your contact page has current details. This small detail signals that your site is regularly maintained and gives visitors confidence that they can reach you when needed.

Technical SEO setup checklist

For better visibility in search results, it’s important to set up key technical elements on your site. These include your XML sitemap, robots.txt, and schema markup, which help search engines crawl and understand your site.

33. Sitemap creation and submission

Think of your sitemap as a map of your website. It lists all your pages; help search engines find and index them. Submitting your sitemap ensures that important content on your site is easily discovered. It helps your pages show up in search results.

34. Robots.txt configuration

Your robots.txt file acts like a guide for search engines. It tells them which pages to crawl and which to skip. Unlike your sitemap, which lists all pages you want indexed, robots.txt helps control which pages search engines should ignore. This keeps your site organized. It also prevents unnecessary or duplicate content from being indexed.

35. Schema markup for search visibility

Schema markup is extra information you add to your site. It helps search engines understand your content better. By using schema markup, your website can show up in more engaging ways in search results. This includes rich snippets, which can help attract more visitors.

36. Ensure XML sitemap is up to date

An XML sitemap is a file that lists the URLs of all the pages on your website. It helps search engines discover and index your content. Regularly update your XML sitemap as your site evolves. When you add or change content, updating your sitemap helps search engines find it quickly.

37. Verify hreflang tags for multilingual sites

If your site is multilingual, hreflang tags help search engines display the right content to the right audience. These tags tell search engines which pages are intended for different languages or regions. This ensures visitors see the correct version of your site, improving their experience and your SEO.

Functionality and interactive features checklist

Now that your site structure is solid, it’s time to check that all interactive elements work smoothly.

38. Test contact, subscription, and feedback forms

Test all contact forms and subscription forms to make sure they send data correctly. If forms don’t work, you risk losing potential leads or subscribers.

39. Verify link and button redirects

Check that all links and buttons lead to the correct pages. Broken links frustrate visitors and hurt your SEO. When search engines find too many dead ends, they may reduce your site’s ranking or even remove pages from their index.

40. Set up and customize a 404-error page

A 404-error page helps visitors who land on missing pages. Customize it with helpful links, a search bar, and a call to action to guide users back to active pages on your site.

41. Test embedded media functionality

Ensure videos, slideshows, and other embedded media work properly. Broken media can disrupt the user experience and lower engagement.

42. Ensure all calls-to-action (CTAs) are functional

CTAs are powerful prompts that encourage users to take action. Make sure all CTAs lead visitors to the right place. Empower users with clear, actionable buttons, like “Subscribe Now” or “Get Started,” to guide them toward completing key goals.

43. Test e-commerce functionality (if applicable)

According to Forter, online purchases depend on how long the online checkout process takes. Customers will not tolerate friction-filled checkouts, which is why your online store must have a hassle-free checkout and payment process. Ensuring a seamless checkout experience for buyers prevents cart abandonment.

Email and contact integration checklist

Before you go live, make sure your email features are set up correctly. Proper email integration keeps things organized and ensures that visitors can easily reach you.

44. Set up email list segmentation

Segment your email list by user interests or actions. It helps ensure your messages resonate with the right audience by delivering the right information at the right time.

45. Ensure contact forms are connected to email accounts

Make sure your contact forms are linked to the right email accounts. This way, you’ll get messages directly and can respond quickly to any inquiries.

46. Integrate email sign-ups with your email system

Link your email sign-up forms to your email system. It helps you manage and organize your subscribers with ease, keeping things smooth and streamlined.

47. Verify email forms and notifications

Test all email forms by submitting them yourself. Ensure visitors receive confirmation emails when they submit a form or sign up.

48. Test email subscriptions and responses

Sign up as a new user to test your email subscription process. Make sure new subscribers get their welcome email or confirmation. Connect your marketing tools like email automation and social media tracking.

49. Add social media links and icons

Add social media links and icons to your site to make it easy for visitors to find and follow you. Social media keeps you connected with your audience and helps them stay engaged with your brand.

50. Implement Open Graph and Twitter Cards

Add Open Graph and Twitter Cards to your site’s meta tags to improve how your content looks when shared on social media. It helps increase click-through rates and encourages more people to visit your site.

51. Enable social sharing buttons

Add social sharing buttons to your blog posts and important pages so that visitors can easily share your content with their networks. Doing so increases your reach and gets more people to engage with your website.

52. Ensure social media links open in new tabs

Set social media links to open in new tabs. This way, visitors can stay on your site while exploring your social profiles. It helps keep them engaged and encourages them to browse more pages.

53. Add a central page with all your contact links

Create a central contact page with links to all your social media profiles and contact options like MyLinks. This makes it simple for visitors to connect with you on their preferred platform. It’s easy access that can boost engagement and interaction.

Analytics and tracking configuration checklist

Setting up analytics tools is key to understanding how visitors interact with your website. These insights help you improve your site’s performance and user experience over time.

54. Set up Google Analytics tracking code

Install the Google Analytics tracking code on all pages. This tool tracks important metrics like visitor behavior, traffic sources, and bounce rates. By analyzing this data, you can identify which parts of your site need improvement and optimize your content strategy to keep visitors engaged.

55. Integrate Google Search Console

Connect your website to Google Search Console. This tool helps monitor your site’s presence in Google search results. You can see which pages are performing well and which need attention. It also alerts you to technical issues, such as broken links or crawl errors, helping you improve your site’s search engine ranking.

56. Use heatmaps and session recording tools

Implement heatmaps and session recording tools to track user interactions on your site. Heatmaps show where users click, scroll, and hover the most. Session recordings let you watch how visitors navigate your site. This data helps you optimize the user interface (UI) and improve navigation, ensuring a smoother experience and better conversion rates.

57. Set up conversion tracking and goals

Set up conversion tracking in Google Analytics to measure key actions, like form submissions or product purchases. This helps you understand which parts of your website are most effective in guiding users toward your business goals. Tracking these conversions lets you refine your strategy and focus on the areas that need improvement.

58. Install Facebook Pixel or other ad pixels

Install Facebook Pixel or similar pixels to track the performance of your ads. These pixels help you understand how users are interacting with your advertisements. By analyzing this data, you can optimize ad targeting and retarget visitors who didn’t complete actions like signing up or purchasing. This improves your ad ROI by bringing back potential customers.

Compliance, privacy, and legal setup checklist

Before your site goes live, it’s essential to meet legal and privacy requirements to build trust with your visitors and ensures you’re following the right regulations.

59. Add privacy policy, terms of service, and disclaimers

A privacy policy explains how you collect and protect user data. Your terms of service outline the rules for using your site, and disclaimers protect you legally.

60. Set up cookie consent banner and ensure ADA compliance

A cookie consent banner lets visitors know you’re using cookies. This is required in many countries. Make sure your site follows GDPR and ADA compliance guidelines to ensure it’s an accessible and safe space for everyone, including users with disabilities.

Ready to launch?

And there you have it; a comprehensive checklist to ensure you are all set before you launch your website.

For any last-minute questions or support, visit domain.com. We offer SSL packages, email marketing tools, website backup options, and much more to ensure your site is secure and performs at its best.

Feeling overwhelmed? Let our team of professionals help get your site live. We’ll work with you to design and launch your website, ensuring all of your boxes are checked.

Website launch checklist: 60 things to do before your website is published