Launching a new website is a big moment. It is also when small mistakes can quietly cost you search rankings and enquiries. Here are seven checks we run before every launch.
1. Redirects from old URLs
If page addresses are changing, every important old URL needs a permanent (301) redirect to its new equivalent. Without redirects, links and search rankings built over years can disappear overnight.
2. Search engine visibility
Sites are often hidden from search engines during development. Make sure that setting is switched off at launch, and that your XML sitemap is available and submitted in Google Search Console.
3. Page titles and descriptions
Every page should have a unique, descriptive title and meta description. These are what people see in search results, so they affect whether people click.
4. Forms that actually deliver
Submit every form and confirm the email arrives, ideally in the right inbox and not in spam. Check thank-you messages and any CRM integrations.
5. Tracking and analytics
Install analytics and test that key actions, such as form submissions, calls and purchases, are recorded as conversions. If you run ads, check their conversion tracking too.
6. Speed and mobile experience
Test key pages on a real phone over mobile data. Compress large images, remove unused plugins or scripts, and check that menus, buttons and forms are easy to use with a thumb.
7. Broken links and missing images
Crawl the site for broken links and missing images before launch. A quick scan catches problems that are easy to miss when clicking around manually.
After launch
Keep an eye on Search Console and analytics for the first few weeks. A dip in traffic straight after launch is common, but it should recover. If it does not, something above probably needs another look.
Planning a redesign? See how we design and launch websites.
