Having a strong online presence is one of the key competencies of 21st century businesses. Digital marketing is one of the most effective ways to market brands, products and services. It is important for companies aspiring to the global recognition of their brands to be on the web. Many companies hop on the band wagon in a bid to harness the many benefits the internet has to offer them without considering the many little things involved in creating a website that would function optimally. Ranging from content to links and plugins, any single error can distort the purpose for which a website is being created.
So, you are aware of this pitfall and want to make sure that every tiny part is in place before launching your website. You are excited about it but at the same time, want to get it right at once. You know that fixing these errors definitely comes with extra costs, so, you want your website to be perfect. I want it to be perfect too. That is why I have put together this website launch checklist that will save you all the trouble of fixing issues and errors that may occur after its creation. Let’s get started!
- Prepare a list of all the items needed to launch your website.
Before launching your website, it is important to create a list of all the elements needed for a perfectly functioning website—images, layouts, menus, plugins, content, sign up forms, and sliders. It is also essential to have the technical aspects (e.g. backend development) on the list. For every item listed, have a clear definition of what needs to be done. Make sure that all content are thoroughly proofread; that all images are optimized for web; that all links redirect to the right pages; and that site speed and bandwidth are at best functionality.
- Work with a team of professionals
“No one is an island of knowledge”. This might sound like a hackneyed phrase, but it is an advice you should take before considering to launch your website. To build a great website, you need to work with a team who are experts in their respective departments. A content provider or copywriter should review your content. A web designer or developer should check the layout and images. A technical team is always required to oversee the backend development and confirm that all components are functioning at full capacity. Everyone on your pre-launch team should also work synergistically to ensure the website is ready to be launched.
- SEO is important
Content is king but SEO is the kingmaker. Without SEO, your content is just literary junk—candidly speaking. You want to make sure that the content (articles and blog posts) you put on your website show up in popular search engines whenever someone searches the internet for the kind of products or services you are selling. Include target keywords in your content and put internal links in pages and posts on your website. If you are upgrading an old website, make sure you set up a “redirect” to your new pages. You should also make sure that each page has the correct URL. It is also important to make sure that all images include tags (which should contain keywords and simple image descriptions).
- Ensure the security of your website
There is a lot of scam going around on the internet and people are often wary of new websites. They want to make sure their identities and personal information is safe before registering on a site or subscribing to a service. The aim of your website is to convert traffic to actual customers, but that may not happen if your website does not operate on a secure server. Install an SSL certificate on your website to gain the trust of potential customers. It may take some time for the service to get functioning but it is always worth the wait.
- Test your website before you launch
It is better to take your time in making sure your website is working at full functionality before launching it. Check the conversion paths to make sure the links redirect customers to the right pages. Check the speed of the site and its compatibility with popular browsers. Check its mobile-friendliness and ease of use. Lastly, make sure there are no HTML/CSS errors on your website.
With everything you need for your website in place, you can now set a launch date. You know the services your business offer and you know your target audience. Start revving up for the D-day by building anticipation through your social media platforms, newsletters, contests and promos. Hire experienced social media marketers and copywriters to create awareness for your product.
Having fulfilled these guidelines, there is only one thing left to do. Launch your website!