Launching a new website is exciting, and it's also when small, avoidable mistakes slip through: a contact form that emails nobody, a page that looks broken on phones, or a setting that tells Google not to index the site. This checklist covers what to check before, and right after, your business website goes live.

1. Content and messaging

  • Your homepage says what you do, for whom, and where within the first screen. Visitors decide in seconds.
  • Every page has one clear next step, such as "Get a quote", "Book a call", or "Contact us".
  • No placeholder text ("Lorem ipsum", sample testimonials, stock "John Doe" names) is left anywhere.
  • Testimonials and case studies are real. In the US, the FTC prohibits fake reviews and testimonials, and search engines treat them as spam.
  • Contact details are correct and consistent everywhere: email, phone, and address.
  • Spelling and grammar are checked, including headings, buttons, and the footer.

2. Mobile and browsers

  • Test every page on a real phone, not just a resized desktop window.
  • Menus open and close properly, and buttons are big enough to tap.
  • Text is readable without zooming, and nothing scrolls sideways.
  • Check the latest versions of Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox.

3. Speed

  • Images are compressed and sized for how they're displayed. Oversized photos are the most common cause of slow sites.
  • Run your key pages through Google PageSpeed Insights and fix anything flagged in red.
  • Remove plugins, scripts, and fonts you don't actually use.

4. SEO basics

  • Every page has a unique title and meta description that describe what's on it, ideally including the service and location you want to be found for.
  • Each page has one H1 heading, with subheadings in logical order.
  • Each important service has its own page. Search engines rank pages, not paragraphs.
  • Images have descriptive alt text.
  • An XML sitemap exists, and robots.txt isn't blocking the site. Development sites are often set to "noindex", so make sure that's switched off.
  • Structured data (schema.org) describes your business and services.
  • One version of your domain is used. http://, https://, www, and non-www should all redirect to a single address.

5. Security

  • HTTPS is active on every page, with a valid SSL certificate.
  • Admin logins use strong, unique passwords and two-factor authentication where possible.
  • Forms have spam protection, such as a honeypot field, rate limiting, or a CAPTCHA.
  • Automatic backups are set up, and you know how to restore one.

6. Forms and integrations

  • Submit every form yourself and confirm the message actually arrives. Check the spam folder too.
  • Submissions reach the right place: an inbox, your CRM, or your booking system.
  • Visitors see a clear confirmation message after submitting.
  • Email sent from your domain is authenticated (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), so replies don't land in spam.

The most common launch mistake we see: a contact form that looks fine but quietly sends messages nowhere. Test it with a real submission on the live site, not just in development.

7. Analytics and search tools

  • Install analytics (for example, Google Analytics or a privacy-friendly alternative) and confirm it's recording visits.
  • Verify your site in Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools, and submit your sitemap to both.
  • Set up conversion tracking for form submissions or calls, so you know what's working.
  • If you use cookies for tracking, make sure your privacy policy and consent approach fit the states you serve.

8. The first weeks after launch

  • Use Search Console's URL Inspection tool to request indexing of your most important pages.
  • Watch Search Console's Pages report. "Discovered – currently not indexed" is normal for new sites and usually resolves over a few weeks.
  • Check for broken links and 404 errors.
  • List your business on relevant directories and your LinkedIn company page. Links from trusted sites help search engines find and trust you faster.
  • Keep going. Add case studies and articles regularly, so the site grows instead of going stale.

Want a second pair of eyes?

Every site we build goes through this checklist before launch, and gets connected to the tools the business already runs. Learn more about our website development services, or get in touch if you'd like us to review your current site.