Website Launch Checklist

Website Launch Checklist

Launching a website involves more than publishing pages and connecting a domain. Before going live, you need to verify functionality, mobile responsiveness, SEO settings, analytics, security, performance, and conversion paths.

This Website Launch Checklist helps business owners, developers, freelancers, and digital marketers prepare a website for launch and reduce the risk of preventable errors.

Use it for a new website, a redesigned website, a business website migration, or a major website update.

1. Confirm Website Content and Structure

Review the website's content and navigation before launch.

• Confirm that all planned pages have been created.

• Review the homepage headline and main value proposition.

• Check About, Services, Products, Contact, and other essential pages.

• Proofread headings, paragraphs, labels, and button text.

• Remove placeholder text and unfinished sections.

• Verify business information, contact details, and service descriptions.

• Confirm that images and other media display correctly.

• Check that navigation labels are clear and consistent.

• Confirm that calls to action lead to the intended destinations.

• Add appropriate privacy policy and terms pages where required.

• Verify that testimonials, statistics, and other claims are accurate and authorized.

Verification: Review every important page from a visitor's perspective and confirm that its content is complete and accurate.

2. Check Domain and Hosting Configuration

Confirm that the website is accessible using the intended domain.

• Verify domain registration and ownership.

• Confirm that the domain points to the correct hosting or website platform.

• Check DNS records and nameserver configuration.

• Confirm that the primary domain is selected.

• Test both www and non-www versions where applicable.

• Ensure the preferred domain redirects consistently to the primary version.

• Confirm that HTTPS is enabled.

• Check the SSL/TLS certificate and its validity.

• Verify that the website loads correctly after DNS changes.

• Remove temporary preview links from public-facing navigation where appropriate.

• Confirm that hosting resources and renewal details are documented.

Verification: Open the primary domain in a private browsing window and confirm that it loads securely without unexpected redirects or certificate warnings.

3. Test All Website Links and Navigation

Broken links can frustrate visitors and prevent them from completing important actions.

• Click every main navigation link.

• Test footer links.

• Check buttons across the homepage and important landing pages.

• Test internal links between related pages and articles.

• Open external links and confirm that they lead to the correct destinations.

• Check links in images, banners, cards, and promotional sections.

• Test social media profile links.

• Test email links and telephone links where provided.

• Verify that download links point to the correct files.

• Identify and fix broken links and redirect loops.

• Confirm that links do not lead to unpublished or unfinished pages.

Verification: Use a combination of manual testing and a link-checking tool where appropriate. Record any remaining issues and their owners.

4. Test Forms and Lead Generation

Forms should collect the intended information and deliver submissions to the correct destination.

• Test every contact form.

• Confirm that required fields are enforced.

• Check email address and telephone number validation.

• Submit a test entry using realistic information.

• Confirm that the submission reaches the intended inbox or connected system.

• Verify that confirmation messages display correctly.

• Test success and error states.

• Confirm that spam protection works where configured.

• Check that form notifications reach the correct recipients.

• Review the privacy notice and consent fields where applicable.

• Verify that form submissions are tracked if they represent conversions.

• Remove test submissions from live systems where appropriate.

Verification: Complete a full test submission and confirm that the visitor sees the correct confirmation and the business receives the submitted information.

5. Verify Mobile Responsiveness

Visitors may access your website from phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops.

• Open the website on a mobile device.

• Test the homepage and important landing pages at different screen sizes.

• Confirm that text is readable without unnecessary zooming.

• Check that images resize and crop correctly.

• Verify that navigation menus open and close properly.

• Test buttons and links using touch controls.

• Check that forms are easy to complete on mobile.

• Identify horizontal scrolling and overlapping elements.

• Check that pop-ups do not obstruct important content.

• Test important conversion journeys on mobile.

• Review tablet and desktop layouts for consistency.

Verification: Complete the main visitor journey on a mobile device, including navigating to a page, submitting a form, or making a purchase if applicable.

6. Review Website Speed and Performance

Slow pages can reduce usability and discourage visitors from engaging with your content.

• Test key pages using PageSpeed Insights or an equivalent tool.

• Review mobile and desktop performance separately.

• Compress oversized images.

• Use suitable image formats and dimensions.

• Remove unnecessary scripts and widgets where possible.

• Review third-party integrations that affect loading.

• Check whether caching or other performance optimizations are available.

• Test important pages after optimization.

• Review Core Web Vitals where relevant.

• Confirm that performance improvements have not broken page functionality.

Verification: Record baseline results and prioritize issues affecting important pages and real user experience. Do not rely on a single test score as the only measure of readiness.

7. Complete Basic SEO Setup

Prepare the website so search engines can discover and understand its important pages.

• Write a unique, descriptive title for each important page.

• Add relevant meta descriptions.

• Check the main heading on each page.

• Review heading structure and content organization.

• Use descriptive, consistent URLs.

• Add meaningful alternative text to informative images.

• Check canonical tags where applicable.

• Review robots.txt for unintended crawling restrictions.

• Confirm that important pages are not accidentally marked noindex.

• Generate and validate the XML sitemap.

• Confirm that the sitemap contains preferred URLs.

• Check internal links between related pages.

• Review structured data where appropriate.

• Verify that redirects are configured for permanently moved pages.

• Remove placeholder metadata and duplicate page titles where identified.

Verification: Inspect representative pages and confirm that search engine directives match the intended launch configuration.

8. Configure Analytics and Conversion Tracking

Analytics helps you understand how visitors use the website after launch.

• Confirm that Google Analytics 4 or the selected analytics platform is installed.

• Verify the correct property and data stream.

• Test whether page views are being recorded.

• Configure relevant events and conversions.

• Test contact forms and other key conversion actions.

• Verify Google Tag Manager if used.

• Confirm that advertising pixels or tags are implemented where required.

• Establish a consistent UTM tagging convention for campaigns.

• Review internal traffic filtering where applicable.

• Check consent management and privacy requirements.

• Document which events and conversions should be measured.

• Confirm that tracking does not unintentionally duplicate events.

Verification: Use available debugging tools and test events to confirm that the expected activity is being recorded. Some analytics reports may take time to populate.

9. Review Security and Privacy

Protect website visitors and business information before making the website publicly available.

• Confirm that HTTPS works correctly.

• Change default passwords and remove unused accounts.

• Enable strong authentication for administrator accounts where available.

• Assign access according to each person's responsibilities.

• Update the website platform, plugins, and integrations where applicable.

• Remove unused plugins and components.

• Verify that backups are configured.

• Confirm that backup restoration procedures are understood.

• Review form data collection and storage.

• Publish appropriate privacy information.

• Review cookie and tracking consent requirements for the relevant jurisdictions.

• Confirm that payment processing uses appropriate secure systems if the website accepts payments.

• Check that sensitive information is not exposed in public pages or files.

Verification: Confirm that administrative access is restricted, backups are available, and relevant privacy and security requirements have been reviewed.

10. Test Website Compatibility

Check that the website functions reliably across common browsing environments.

• Test important pages in major browsers used by your audience.

• Check Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge where relevant.

• Test navigation menus, accordions, pop-ups, and other interactive elements.

• Verify that fonts and icons load correctly.

• Check image and video playback.

• Confirm that embedded content displays properly.

• Test any third-party widgets or integrations.

• Review error messages and fallback states.

• Check that interactive elements remain usable on mobile.

• Retest functionality after applying fixes.

Verification: Prioritize compatibility testing for the browsers and devices most relevant to your audience.

11. Check Email and Communication Channels

Ensure visitors can contact the business and receive expected notifications.

• Test the business email address.

• Send and receive a test email.

• Verify contact form notification delivery.

• Check confirmation and automated emails.

• Review sender names and email subject lines.

• Confirm that telephone numbers and messaging links work.

• Test WhatsApp or other contact integrations where used.

• Check email authentication settings, such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, where applicable.

• Document who receives enquiries and who is responsible for responding.

Verification: Confirm that test enquiries reach the correct recipient and that the communication process is ready for real visitors.

12. Prepare Backup and Recovery Procedures

A backup and recovery plan helps reduce disruption if something goes wrong.

• Create a backup before launch.

• Confirm what the backup includes.

• Store backup copies in an appropriate secure location.

• Verify that the backup process completes successfully.

• Document how to restore the website.

• Confirm who is responsible for recovery.

• Record hosting and platform support details.

• Save relevant DNS and configuration information securely.

• Define a process for reporting and resolving launch issues.

Verification: Do not assume a backup is usable simply because it exists. Where practical, verify the restoration process in a safe environment.

13. Complete Final Pre-Launch QA

Perform a final review shortly before publishing.

• Confirm that the correct website version is ready.

• Check the homepage and all critical landing pages.

• Verify that navigation and calls to action work.

• Test contact forms and essential conversions.

• Confirm domain, DNS, and HTTPS configuration.

• Review important SEO directives and sitemap settings.

• Confirm analytics and tracking tests are complete.

• Check mobile responsiveness and performance.

• Verify that legal and privacy information is available where required.

• Remove temporary content and test records.

• Confirm that the launch has the required stakeholder approval.

• Record any known issues and their planned resolution.

Verification: Obtain sign-off from the person responsible for the launch and ensure no unresolved critical issues remain.

14. Complete Post-Launch Checks

Publishing the website is not the end of the launch process.

• Open the live website using the primary domain.

• Test the homepage and priority pages again.

• Recheck forms and conversion journeys.

• Confirm that analytics continues to collect data.

• Check for unexpected redirects or server errors.

• Review Search Console and submit the sitemap where appropriate.

• Inspect important URLs if needed.

• Check the website for broken links or missing assets.

• Monitor website availability and performance.

• Review enquiries, transactions, or other important outcomes.

• Resolve launch-related issues and document the fixes.

• Schedule a follow-up review.

Verification: Confirm that the live website works as expected and that important monitoring systems are operating.

Common Website Launch Mistakes to Avoid

• Publishing unfinished pages: Complete content reviews before launch.

• Forgetting mobile testing: Verify important journeys on mobile devices.

• Ignoring tracking: Test analytics and conversions before relying on reports.

• Leaving pages accidentally blocked from indexing: Review robots.txt and noindex settings.

• Overlooking forms: Test delivery and confirmation, not just the form's appearance.

• Skipping backups: Confirm that a recoverable backup is available.

• Ignoring redirects during a redesign: Preserve relevant URLs or configure appropriate redirects.

• Failing to test the live domain: Preview links may behave differently from the production website.

• Stopping after publishing: Complete post-launch checks and monitor for issues.

Final Website Launch Sign-Off Checklist

Before declaring the launch complete, confirm:

• Content and navigation are complete.

• Domain, DNS, and HTTPS are configured.

• Links, buttons, and forms have been tested.

• Mobile responsiveness has been verified.

• Performance and usability have been reviewed.

• Basic SEO configuration is complete.

• Analytics and conversion tracking have been tested.

• Security, privacy, and backup requirements have been addressed.

• Email and communication channels work.

• Final pre-launch QA has been approved.

• Post-launch checks have been completed.

• Outstanding issues have owners and deadlines.

Conclusion

A successful website launch depends on preparation, testing, and follow-up. Use this checklist to verify critical components before publishing, reduce preventable issues, and ensure your website is ready to serve visitors and support business goals.

Learn. Prepare. Grow. — GoBizly

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