What should I check before launching my website?

Before launching, check technical functionality, mobile responsiveness, page speed, SEO optimization, security measures, content accuracy, contact forms, analytics setup, and backup systems. This checklist covers all essential pre-launch steps.

How long before launch should I start the checklist?

Start the checklist 2-4 weeks before your planned launch date. This gives you time to fix issues, test thoroughly, and ensure everything is working perfectly before going live.

What are the most critical items on the launch checklist?

The most critical items are: mobile responsiveness, page speed optimization, SSL certificate, contact forms working, analytics setup, backup system, and content accuracy. These directly impact user experience and business success.

Should I test my website on different devices before launch?

Yes, absolutely. Test on multiple devices (smartphones, tablets, desktops) and browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) to ensure consistent functionality and appearance across all platforms.

What security measures should I implement before launch?

Implement HTTPS/SSL certificate, strong passwords, regular backups, security plugins (if using WordPress), input validation, and consider a web application firewall (WAF) for additional protection.

How do I ensure my website is SEO-ready for launch?

Optimize meta titles and descriptions, implement proper heading structure, add alt text to images, create XML sitemap, submit to Google Search Console, and ensure fast loading times for better search rankings.

What should I do if I find issues during the pre-launch testing?

Document all issues, prioritize by severity (critical, high, medium, low), fix critical issues immediately, and consider delaying launch if major problems are found. It's better to launch late than to launch with significant issues.

How can I monitor my website after launch?

Set up Google Analytics, Google Search Console, uptime monitoring, error tracking, and performance monitoring tools. Regular monitoring helps identify and fix issues quickly after launch.

Website Launch Checklist 2026: 50 Essential Steps

Website launch checklist with checkboxes and launch preparation steps

Xavier Masse

Published on Jan 1, 2025

Launching a website is a critical moment that can make or break your online success. A rushed launch with missing elements can damage your brand reputation and lose potential customers. This comprehensive checklist ensures your website is ready for success from day one. Before you go live, run a full SEO audit to catch ranking blockers early. For a deeper understanding of the full process, read our web design and development guide.

Pre-Launch Planning (2-4 weeks before launch)

1. Project Timeline and Deadlines

Set launch date and stick to it
Create milestone deadlines for each phase
Assign responsibilities to team members
Plan buffer time for unexpected issues
Schedule launch during low-traffic hours

2. Content Preparation

All content written and proofread
Images optimized and properly sized
Videos compressed and embedded
Legal pages (Privacy Policy, Terms of Service)
Contact information accurate and complete

3. Design and Branding

Logo finalized and implemented
Color scheme consistent throughout
Typography choices finalized
Brand guidelines followed
Favicon created and uploaded

Technical Preparation (1-2 weeks before launch)

4. Domain and Hosting

Domain name registered and configured
Hosting account set up and tested
DNS settings properly configured
Email accounts set up (if needed)
Backup hosting plan in place

Understanding the differences between static hosting vs CMS platforms helps you choose the right hosting solution and deployment strategy.

5. SSL Certificate and Security

SSL certificate installed and working
HTTPS redirect configured
Security headers implemented
Firewall configured (if applicable)
Regular backups scheduled

6. Performance Optimization

Content and SEO (1-2 weeks before launch)

7. On-Page SEO

Meta titles written for all pages
Meta descriptions written for all pages
Heading structure (H1, H2, H3) properly implemented
Alt text added to all images
Internal linking structure in place

8. Technical SEO

XML sitemap created and submitted
Robots.txt file configured
Canonical tags implemented
Schema markup added (if applicable)
URL structure clean and logical

9. Content Quality

All text proofread and error-free
Images high-quality and relevant
Links working and pointing to correct pages
Contact information accurate
Call-to-action buttons clear and prominent

Functionality Testing (1 week before launch)

10. Cross-Browser Testing

11. Mobile Responsiveness

iPhone (various sizes) tested
Android (various sizes) tested
Tablet (iPad, Android) tested
Touch interactions working properly
Text readable on all screen sizes

12. Form Functionality

Contact forms working and sending emails
Newsletter signup functioning
Search functionality working (if applicable)
User registration working (if applicable)
Error messages clear and helpful

13. E-commerce Testing (if applicable)

Product pages displaying correctly
Shopping cart functioning
Checkout process working
Payment processing tested
Order confirmation emails working

Analytics and Tracking (1 week before launch)

14. Analytics Setup

Google Analytics installed and configured
Google Search Console set up
Conversion tracking implemented
Goal tracking set up
E-commerce tracking configured (if applicable)

15. Monitoring Tools

Security and Compliance (1 week before launch)

16. Security Measures

Strong passwords set for all accounts
Two-factor authentication enabled
Security plugins installed (if WordPress)
File permissions properly set
Database secured

17. Legal Compliance

Privacy Policy published and accessible
Terms of Service published and accessible
Cookie policy implemented (if applicable)
GDPR compliance checked (if applicable)
Accessibility standards met (WCAG 2.1)

Final Testing (3-5 days before launch)

18. User Experience Testing

Navigation intuitive and working
Page loading fast on all devices
Content easy to read and understand
Call-to-action buttons prominent
Error pages (404, 500) customized

19. Performance Testing

20. Content Review

Launch Day Preparation

21. Pre-Launch Checklist

22. Launch Execution

Post-Launch Monitoring (First 48 hours)

23. Immediate Checks

24. Performance Monitoring

Marketing and Promotion (Launch week)

26. Email Marketing

27. SEO and Search

Google Search Console submitted
Bing Webmaster Tools submitted
Sitemap submitted to search engines
Local listings updated
Directory submissions made

Ongoing Maintenance (Post-launch)

28. Regular Monitoring

29. Content Updates

Blog posts published regularly
Product information updated
Contact information maintained
Legal pages reviewed annually
Images refreshed as needed

30. Technical Maintenance

Software updates applied regularly
Security patches installed
Backups verified monthly
Performance optimized continuously
Analytics reviewed monthly

Emergency Preparedness

31. Backup and Recovery

32. Issue Response Plan

Contact information for support team
Escalation procedure defined
Communication plan for issues
Rollback procedure tested
Post-incident review process

Quality Assurance

33. Final Quality Checks

34. User Acceptance Testing

Beta users tested the site
Feedback collected and addressed
Issues documented and fixed
Approval received from stakeholders
Launch approved by all parties

Launch Day Checklist

35. Launch Day Tasks

36. Post-Launch Tasks

Website verified as live
All functionality tested
Analytics confirmed working
Team notified of successful launch
Celebration planned (optional but recommended!)

Common Launch Day Issues

37. DNS Issues

DNS propagation can take 24-48 hours
Clear browser cache and test
Use different DNS servers to test
Contact hosting provider if issues persist
Have patience during propagation

38. SSL Certificate Issues

39. Performance Issues

Success Metrics

40. Key Performance Indicators

41. Monitoring and Reporting

Post-Launch Optimization

42. Continuous Improvement

User feedback collected regularly
Analytics data analyzed monthly
A/B testing planned
Performance optimized continuously
Content updated regularly

43. Growth Planning

Final Verification

44. Last-Minute Checks

45. Launch Day Success

Conclusion

This comprehensive checklist ensures your website launch is successful and sets you up for long-term success. Remember:

Start early and give yourself plenty of time
Test thoroughly on multiple devices and browsers
Have a backup plan for any issues
Monitor closely after launch
Celebrate your success!

Ready to launch your website? Contact us for a free consultation and launch support. Also check out our SEO services to launch with strong visibility.

A successful website launch is just the beginning. Ongoing monitoring, optimization, and updates are essential for long-term success.