The complete checklist for launching a new website without mistakes

The website is ready. Before you start promoting it, a careful review is worth it. Small mistakes, like a form that doesn’t send or a broken link, can cost clients precisely in the first days, when the most people visit. Use this checklist at three moments: before, on the day of and after the launch.

Before publishing: content

• All copy proofread, with no spelling mistakes.
• No forgotten placeholder text (“lorem ipsum”, “your text here”).
• Phone, WhatsApp, email and address correct on every page.
• Prices and conditions up to date.
• High-quality images with a description (alt text).
• Privacy policy published, especially if the website collects data.

Before publishing: functionality

• Test every link in the menu, footer and buttons.
• Submit the contact form and confirm the message arrives.
• Click the WhatsApp button and check it opens with the right message.
• Browse the website on a phone, tablet and computer.
• Test in different browsers.
• For online stores, place a complete test order, from cart to payment.

Before publishing: SEO and technical

• Each page with its own title and description.
• One main heading (H1) per page, with the keyword.
• Security certificate (SSL) active and the padlock showing.
• Sitemap created and robots.txt allowing indexing.
• Company structured data set up.
• Speed tested, with optimized images.
• If the website replaces an old one, redirects from the old pages to the new ones.

On launch day

1. Publish and check the website at its final address.
2. Test the form and WhatsApp again in the live environment.
3. Check that the versions with and without “www” lead to the same place.
4. Ask two or three outsiders to browse and tell you what they think.

After launch: Google

• Google Search Console: add the website, submit the sitemap and request indexing of the main pages.
• Google Analytics: set it up to track visits and leads.
• Google Business Profile: update the website link, services and photos.

After launch: promotion

• Put the link in your Instagram bio and highlights.
• Update your email signature and WhatsApp Business.
• Send the new website to clients and partners.
• Include the address on cards, packaging and printed materials.
• Consider an ad campaign to speed up the first visits.

In the first weeks

Follow Search Console to see whether pages are being indexed and whether errors appear. In Analytics, look at where visits come from and which pages generate leads. With this data, adjust copy and calls to action. A good website is one that keeps being improved.

Checklist for online stores

• Every product with photos, price, stock and a full description.
• Variants (size, color) working in the cart.
• Shipping calculation tested for different postal codes.
• Payment tested with every method offered.
• Order confirmation and shipping emails arriving correctly.
• Discount coupons working.
• Exchange, return and privacy policies published.
• A tracking page or guidance on how to follow the order.

Checklist when replacing a website

If you already had an old website, some care avoids losing positions on Google:

1. List every old page that receives visits.
2. Create redirects from each old page to the equivalent new page.
3. Keep the same domain, if possible.
4. Submit the new sitemap in Search Console right after the switch.
5. Watch for “page not found” errors in the following weeks.

A 30-day promotion plan

• Week 1: tell clients and partners, update all social media and your Google Business Profile.
• Week 2: publish content showing what’s new on the website, such as service pages and projects.
• Week 3: publish the first blog articles and share them on social media.
• Week 4: review the Analytics numbers and adjust what is needed.

Conclusion

Launching a website carefully avoids losing clients in the first days. Review content, functionality and SEO before publishing, set up Google’s tools right after and share the new address on every channel. From then on, follow the numbers and keep improving.