Launching a website without a checklist is like opening a restaurant without checking the kitchen. Things will go wrong. Some will embarrass you. Some will cost you customers. This comprehensive checklist catches the issues before your visitors do.
From SSL certificates to Core Web Vitals, GDPR compliance to post-launch monitoring, this 85-point checklist covers every critical aspect of website launches.
Use this checklist before every website launch. Print it, tick boxes, and don't go live until everything passes.
Pre-Launch Content & Technical Checks
Content Quality First
Before anything else, ensure all pages contain real, proofread content. Remove every placeholder, lorem ipsum text, and dummy image. Verify contact information, business hours, and pricing accuracy. Check that your copyright year in the footer matches the current year. Missing content details are the most common pre-launch oversight.
Content Quality Checklist
Essential Content Checks
- ✓All pages have real, original content
- ✓Content proofread for spelling and grammar
- ✓Contact details correct and verified
- ✓Business hours and pricing current
- ✓Team bios and photos up to date
- ✓Copyright year matches current date
Image Optimization Matters
Every image on your website should be optimized for web performance. Replace all placeholder images with real company photos or appropriate stock images. Compress images to reduce file size without visible quality loss. Add descriptive alt text to every image for both SEO and accessibility. Test that your favicon displays correctly in browser tabs across different devices.
Images and Media Requirements
Media Preparation Checklist
- ✓All placeholder images replaced with real content
- ✓Images compressed and optimized for web
- ✓Descriptive alt text on every image
- ✓Logo displays correctly at all sizes
- ✓Favicon uploaded and visible in browser tab
- ✓All videos load and play without errors
Technical Pre-Launch Requirements
SSL Certificate Installation
Your website must have an SSL certificate installed before launch. This encrypts data between your site and visitors' browsers, displays the padlock icon in their address bar, and is required by Google for all websites. Verify that your certificate is valid, not expired, and covers all necessary domains including both www and non-www versions.
Security and Performance Checks
| Check Area | Requirement | Impact if Missing |
|---|---|---|
| SSL Certificate | Valid HTTPS certificate installed | Site marked as insecure, lower rankings |
| Page Speed | Core Web Vitals passing | Poor user experience, ranking penalty |
| Mobile Responsive | Works on all device sizes | Lost mobile traffic |
| Backups | Automated daily backups configured | Data loss if attacked or crashes |
Launch Day Preparation Steps
Setup DNS Records
Update your domain's DNS records to point to your hosting provider. Allow time for DNS propagation across the internet, typically 24-48 hours.
Install SSL Certificate
Ensure your SSL certificate is properly installed and valid. Test the HTTPS connection works smoothly before going live.
Configure Analytics
Add Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and other tracking tools. Verify tracking is working before the site goes live.
Enable Backups
Configure automated daily backups of your entire website and database. Test backup restoration to ensure backups work.
Best Day and Time to Launch
Tuesday or Wednesday morning (Irish time) is ideal for your website launch. This gives you the full working week to monitor and fix any issues that arise. Never launch on a Friday—if something goes wrong, you'll spend your weekend fixing it. Avoid bank holiday weekends as well, when your team won't be available if urgent issues emerge.
Common Launch Day Mistakes to Avoid
Launching Without Backups
Never go live without automated backups in place. Server failures, hacks, and accidental deletions happen. Without backups, you could lose everything. Set up daily automated backups from day one, not after a disaster occurs.
Post-Launch: The First 48 Hours
Your job isn't done when the site goes live. In the first 48 hours: monitor your site for errors using your analytics and any uptime monitoring tools. Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console if you haven't already. Test your site again on different devices—sometimes things behave differently on live servers versus development environments.
Set up Google Business Profile (if you haven't already) and update it with your new website URL. Share the launch across your social channels. And keep a close eye on your contact form submissions—the first enquiry that comes through a working form is a great feeling.
Related Launch Resources
For more comprehensive guidance on website launches, consider reading our website brief template to ensure your project is properly scoped before development begins. You might also find our guide on questions to ask a web design agency helpful when planning your launch with a professional team.
SEO Considerations Before Launch
Before launch, configure robots.txt and sitemap files. Submit your XML sitemap to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools. Set up proper redirects from any old site pages if migrating from an existing website. Configure canonicalization correctly to prevent duplicate content issues. Ensure all meta titles and descriptions are unique and descriptive. These SEO foundations established before launch save significant work later.
GDPR and Legal Compliance for Irish Websites
If your website collects personal data from EU visitors, GDPR compliance is mandatory. Implement cookie consent notices for non-essential cookies. Create a clear privacy policy explaining what data you collect and how you use it. Have terms of service if you're running an e-commerce site. These legal requirements aren't optional—non-compliance can result in significant fines.
Ireland-Specific Legal Requirements
Irish law requires business websites to display certain information: registered company name, registered office address, CRO number (for limited companies), and VAT number (if VAT registered). Include this information clearly on your website, typically in the footer. If you're a sole trader, display your full name and address. Missing legal information can result in compliance issues and reduced customer trust.
For more on site performance and SEO setup, check our website speed optimization guide and our technical SEO checklist. Both cover essential pre-launch requirements that directly impact your success.
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Founder of Web Design Ireland. Helping Irish businesses make smart website investments with honest, practical advice.