· Codetonic

Pre-Launch Checklist for Your Website: 15 Essential Points

The complete checklist to make sure your website is ready to go live. SEO, performance, security, content, and more.

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Don’t Launch Your Site Without Checking These 15 Points

You’ve invested time and money into your website. Before hitting the “publish” button, make sure everything is in order. This checklist covers the points that most SMBs overlook — and that cost dearly in traffic and credibility.

Content and Copy

1. Read Everything Out Loud

Spelling mistakes kill credibility. Read every page out loud — it catches errors the eye misses. Pay special attention to proper nouns, phone numbers, and addresses.

2. Check Your Calls to Action

Every page should have one clear CTA. Does the visitor know what to do after reading your content? Call? Fill out a form? Buy? If it’s not obvious, adjust.

3. Test Your Forms

Fill out every form yourself. Are you receiving the submissions? Does the confirmation message display? Does the client receive a confirmation email?

SEO and Visibility

4. Title Tags and Meta Descriptions

Every page must have a unique <title> tag and a compelling meta description. These are the texts that appear in Google results — they determine whether people click or not.

5. Sitemap and robots.txt

Your sitemap.xml must list all your pages. Your robots.txt must not block search engines. Submit your sitemap in Google Search Console.

6. Google Business Profile

Claim your Google Business listing and link it to your website. It’s free and it’s the #1 factor for local SEO.

7. Schema.org (Structured Data)

Add the appropriate structured data: LocalBusiness, Service, FAQPage. They help Google understand your business and can generate rich results.

Performance and Technical

8. Test Speed on PageSpeed Insights

Aim for a score of 90+ on mobile. Every second of load time matters — 53% of visitors leave if the site takes more than 3 seconds to load.

9. Test on Mobile — For Real

Don’t rely on simulation tools. Pick up your phone and browse your site. Are the buttons large enough? Is the text readable without zooming? Is the form easy to fill out?

A link that leads to a 404 page is frustrating for the visitor and bad for SEO. Test every link on your site.

11. SSL Certificate (HTTPS)

Your site must load over HTTPS (padlock in the address bar). Google penalizes unsecured sites and browsers display a warning.

12. Privacy Policy

If you collect data (contact form, analytics), you need a privacy policy. It’s a legal requirement in Canada (PIPEDA).

13. Basic Accessibility

Do your images have alt text? Is your color contrast sufficient? Is your site navigable by keyboard? Accessibility is not optional.

Analytics and Tracking

14. Google Analytics

Install Google Analytics (GA4) before launch. Without data, you won’t be able to measure what’s working and what needs improvement.

15. Google Search Console

Set up Search Console to monitor your indexing, rankings, and technical errors. It’s your SEO diagnostic tool — free and essential.

After Launch

Your site is live — congratulations! But the work isn’t over:

  • Week 1: Verify that everything works (forms, links, display)
  • Month 1: Monitor Search Console for indexing errors
  • Month 3: Analyze your Analytics data and adjust your content
  • Month 6: Evaluate your SEO positioning and plan your next content

A good website isn’t a one-time project — it’s an asset that improves over time. Check out our complete guide for SMBs and discover our maintenance packages to support you after launch.