Website launch checklist: what to check before you go live
Launching a website is exciting — and the moment small mistakes turn into public ones or quietly cost you traffic. A broken form, a missing redirect or a stray "block search engines" setting can undo good work. This checklist covers the essentials to run through before you go live, whether you're launching your own site or checking a developer's work.
Search and SEO
- Search engine visibility is switched ON (new builds are often set to block Google — a classic, costly slip).
- Every important page has a unique title and meta description.
- An XML sitemap exists and is ready to submit to Google Search Console.
- If replacing an old site, redirects map every old URL to its new home.
Speed and technical
- Images are optimised and the site loads fast on mobile.
- It's tested across browsers and on real phones, not just a desktop.
- HTTPS is working, with no security warnings.
- There are no broken links or missing images.
Content and function
- Contact and enquiry forms actually send, and go to the right inbox.
- Phone numbers, addresses and opening hours are correct.
- Content is proofread — typos on launch day undermine trust.
- Any ecommerce checkout has been tested with a real transaction.
Tracking and safety
- Analytics (and any conversion tracking) is installed and recording.
- Google Search Console is set up and the sitemap submitted.
- A backup is in place, and you know how to restore it.
- A cookie/privacy notice is present if you need one.
After you go live
Launch isn't quite the finish line. In the first days, keep an eye on analytics and Search Console for errors, check that enquiries are coming through, and watch that rankings hold if you migrated an old site. Catching a problem in the first week is far cheaper than discovering it a month later.
Common questions
What should I check before launching a website?
The essentials: search visibility is switched on, every key page has a unique title and description, forms work and reach the right inbox, the site is fast and tested on real phones, HTTPS works, redirects are in place if you're replacing an old site, and analytics and Search Console are set up. A quick checklist prevents costly day-one mistakes.
Why did my website disappear from Google after launch?
The most common cause is the "discourage search engines" setting being left on from development, which tells Google not to index the site. The other is launching a replacement site without redirects, so old ranking URLs break. Both are avoidable with a pre-launch check, and usually fixable once spotted.
Do I need to submit my website to Google?
You don't strictly have to — Google will find it eventually — but setting up Google Search Console and submitting your sitemap helps it discover and index your pages faster, and flags any problems. It's free and one of the first things to do at launch.
What are redirects and why do they matter at launch?
Redirects send visitors (and Google) from an old page's address to its new one. When you replace a site and URLs change, redirects preserve the rankings and links those old pages had earned. Without them, you can lose years of SEO overnight — which is why they're essential when relaunching.
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