Before You Launch: The Complete Checklist
Launching a website without a thorough checklist is like opening a store without checking if the lights work. Missing a critical element — broken links, missing meta tags, slow loading pages — can cost you visitors, credibility, and revenue from day one. This comprehensive checklist covers everything you need to verify before making your business website builder live.
Building with business website builder? Our platform handles many technical items automatically (SSL, sitemaps, mobile responsiveness), letting you focus on content and design quality.
Design and Layout
- Logo displays correctly at all sizes and on all pages
- Consistent color scheme and typography across all pages
- Navigation menu works correctly and includes all important pages
- Footer contains essential links, contact info, and copyright notice
- All images are high-quality and properly sized (not stretched or pixelated)
- Visual hierarchy guides visitors toward calls-to-action
- White space is used effectively for readability
- Favicon uploaded and displaying in browser tabs
Content
- All placeholder text (Lorem ipsum) has been replaced with real content
- Content has been proofread for spelling and grammar errors
- Headings are clear, descriptive, and use proper hierarchy (H1, H2, H3)
- Calls-to-action are clear and compelling on every page
- Contact information is accurate and consistent across all pages
- About page tells your story and establishes credibility
- All images have descriptive alt text for accessibility and SEO
- Phone numbers and email addresses are correct and clickable on mobile
SEO Optimization
- Every page has a unique meta title (under 60 characters)
- Every page has a unique meta description (under 160 characters)
- URLs are clean, descriptive, and keyword-relevant
- XML sitemap is generated and ready for submission
- Robots.txt file is configured correctly
- Heading tags (H1-H6) are used properly on every page
- Google Search Console for business website is set up and sitemap submitted
- Schema markup is configured for your business type
Technical Testing
- Website loads in under 3 seconds on desktop and mobile
- SSL certificate is active (padlock icon visible, HTTPS in URL)
- All internal links work correctly (no 404 errors)
- All external links open in new tabs and work properly
- Contact forms submit successfully and send notifications
- Mobile responsiveness tested on actual phones and tablets
- Website displays correctly in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge
- 404 error page is custom and helpful (not a default error)
- Custom domain is connected and propagated
Analytics and Tracking
- Google Analytics for small business website tracking code is installed and verified
- Conversion goals are configured (form submissions, clicks, purchases)
- Facebook Pixel for digital marketing agency website installed (if running social ads)
- EcomTech built-in analytics are accessible in your dashboard
Legal and Compliance
- Privacy policy page is published and linked in footer
- Terms of service page is published and linked in footer
- Cookie consent banner is configured (if required in your region)
- GDPR compliance measures are in place (for EU visitors)
- Copyright notice is current and accurate
Ecommerce Specific (If Applicable)
- Payment processing tested with real transactions
- Product pages have quality images and detailed descriptions
- Shipping rates and zones are configured correctly
- Tax settings match your legal requirements
- Order confirmation emails are working properly
- Return and refund policy is published
For a deeper ecommerce review, see our Ecommerce Website Checklist.
Post-Launch Promotion
- Submit sitemap to Google Search Console for business website
- Announce launch on all social media channels
- Send email announcement to your contact list
- Update your Google Business Profile for free website for small business with website URL
- Share with industry partners and request backlinks
- Monitor analytics daily for the first week
Ready to Launch?
Build your website with business website builder and use this checklist to ensure a flawless launch. View plans starting from free.
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