The Complete Checklist Before Going Live with Your Website

Launching a website is an exciting step for any business. But before you hit that “Publish” button, it’s important to make sure everything is in place. A well-prepared launch can help you avoid technical issues, build trust with visitors, and create a strong first impression.

Here’s a complete checklist to help you prepare your website before going live.

1. Check All Pages and Links

Go through each page on your site to make sure everything works:

• Are all pages loading properly?

• Do all internal and external links work?

• Are the navigation menus working smoothly?

Broken links or missing pages can frustrate users and affect SEO.

2. Review Your Content

Make sure your content is clear, correct, and professional:

• Fix spelling and grammar errors

• Use consistent fonts and formatting

• Double-check contact details, prices, and key information

• Replace any placeholder text or images

3. Test Mobile Responsiveness

Many users will visit your website from a mobile device. Your site should work well on all screen sizes:

• Check layout and readability on phones and tablets

• Make sure buttons, menus, and forms are easy to use

• Ensure nothing looks cut off or misaligned

4. Optimize Website Speed

A slow website can drive visitors away. Before launching:

• Compress images

• Minimize unnecessary scripts

• Use browser caching

• Test your speed using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights

5. Set Up SEO Basics

To help your website get found on search engines:

• Add title tags and meta descriptions for each page

• Use headings (H1, H2) properly

• Include relevant keywords naturally

• Create a sitemap for search engines

6. Install SSL Certificate

Security is important for both visitors and search engines. Make sure your website has an SSL certificate so it uses “https” instead of “http.”

SSL protects user data and improves your site’s credibility.

7. Test Contact Forms and Email

Make sure people can reach you:

• Submit test messages through contact forms

• Confirm that emails are delivered correctly

• Set up auto-replies if needed

Don’t forget to test any newsletter signups or booking forms too.

8. Set Up Analytics and Tracking

Install tools like Google Analytics or other tracking platforms to monitor your website traffic, behavior, and performance. This will help you improve your website over time.

9. Backup Your Website

Create a full backup before going live. If something goes wrong, you’ll be able to restore your site without losing important data.

10. Preview and Final Review

Do one last review of your website:

• Read everything again with fresh eyes

• Check design consistency

• Test on different browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox)

• Ask someone else to give feedback