Launching a new website is an exciting milestone. However, the go-live process can be nerve-wracking. A single missed step can lead to broken links, poor user experience, or a drop in search engine visibility.
To ensure your launch is a resounding success, follow this ultimate checklist for launching a new website, with special considerations for businesses operating in Australia.
Phase 1: The Pre-Launch Checklist (The Week Before Go-Live)
This is where you catch potential problems before they go live.
- Content & Proofreading: Read every single page. Check for spelling and grammar errors.
- Functionality Check: Test all contact forms, call-to-action buttons, and interactive elements.
- Mobile Responsiveness: View the site on multiple devices to ensure it looks and functions perfectly.
- Browser Compatibility: Test on Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge.
- On-Page SEO Basics: Confirm unique SEO titles, meta descriptions, correct heading structures (H1, H2), and descriptive alt text for all images.
- Analytics & Tracking: Install Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and Google Search Console tracking codes.
- Legal Pages: Ensure you have your Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. For Australian businesses, your Privacy Policy must comply with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
- Favicon & Logos: Check that the favicon and all logos are in place.
- Backups: Perform a full backup of the website files and database.
Phase 2: The Launch Day Checklist (Go-Live Time!)
- Schedule for Low Traffic: Plan the launch during a period of low website traffic.
- Point DNS: Update your domain’s DNS records to point to the new server.
- Install SSL Certificate: Ensure your site runs on secure HTTPS.
- Check for “Noindex” Tags: Remove any “noindex” tags used on the staging site.
- Submit Sitemap: Submit your new XML sitemap to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.
- Run a Broken Link Scan: Use a tool to find and fix any broken links.
- Check Redirects: If migrating from an old site, double-check that all 301 redirects are working to preserve SEO value.
Phase 3: The Post-Launch Checklist (The First Week)
- Monitor Google Analytics: Keep a close eye on your traffic and user behaviour.
- Check Google Search Console: Look for any crawl errors or indexing issues.
- Performance Test: Run your site through Google PageSpeed Insights.
- Australian Business Details: It’s good practice to display your ABN (Australian Business Number) in the footer or on your contact page to build trust with local customers.
- Announce Your Launch: Share the news on social media and with your email list.
Helpful Tools for a Smoother Launch
To make this process easier, consider using these tools:
- Uptime Monitoring: UptimeRobot or similar services can alert you if your new site goes down.
- Broken Link Checking: Screaming Frog or Dr. Link Check can crawl your site for 404 errors.
- Speed Testing: Google PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix are essential for performance analysis.
The Bottom Line
A meticulous launch process is the difference between a triumphant debut and a problematic start. This checklist isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s about protecting your investment and ensuring your new digital home makes the best possible first impression on both users and search engines. A successful launch isn’t the finish line—it’s the starting pistol for your website’s journey of growth, engagement, and conversion.
Planning a website launch in Australia? Let our experienced team manage the technical details so you can focus on your business. Contact us for a seamless launch.