Website Launch Checklist
A pre-flight technical checklist covering SEO, security, analytics, performance, and accessibility before pointing production DNS.
Freelance web designers and developers preparing to deploy a new client website or ecommerce store.
Perform 48 hours prior to the scheduled launch date, and re-verify immediately following DNS propagation.
Work through technical items sequentially. Do not switch DNS until all pre-launch tests pass.
# Pre-Flight Website Launch Technical Checklist **Client Site:** [Domain Name, e.g. https://example.com] **Staging URL:** [Staging URL] **Target Launch Date:** [Date & Time] --- ## Phase A: Technical SEO & Metadata (Pre-Launch) - [ ] Unique title tags and compelling meta descriptions implemented on all indexable pages. - [ ] Canonical URL tags configured to match the production canonical domain (including HTTPS & www/non-www preference). - [ ] Dynamic XML sitemap verified and reachable at `/sitemap.xml`. - [ ] `robots.txt` file configured to allow search crawlers (verify staging `Disallow: /` is removed!). - [ ] Open Graph (`og:title`, `og:description`, `og:image`) and Twitter Card tags validated. - [ ] Structured data (Organization, WebSite, Article, LocalBusiness) verified with zero errors. - [ ] Comprehensive 301 redirect rules mapped from legacy URL structure to prevent 404 traffic loss. --- ## Phase B: Analytics & Conversion Tracking - [ ] Google Analytics 4 (GA4) tracking script firing on all pages. - [ ] Google Search Console DNS verification record added. - [ ] Conversion events configured (Contact Form Submissions, Newsletter Signups, Button Clicks). - [ ] Meta Pixel, LinkedIn Insight Tag, or other advertising scripts installed if requested. --- ## Phase C: Security, Forms & Integrations - [ ] SSL certificate active with automatic HTTPS redirection enforced. - [ ] All contact and inquiry forms tested with real submissions and notification emails verified. - [ ] Form spam protection (Turnstile, reCAPTCHA, or honeypot) active and tested. - [ ] Payment gateway test transactions executed and verified in live mode (e.g., $1 test charge and refund). - [ ] Custom 404 error page styled with helpful navigation links back to the homepage. --- ## Phase D: Performance & Accessibility - [ ] Google PageSpeed Insights score: Performance > 85, Accessibility > 90, SEO > 95. - [ ] Images optimized in modern formats (WebP/AVIF) with explicit `width` and `height` attributes. - [ ] Font files preloaded and subsetted to prevent layout shifts (CLS < 0.1). - [ ] Color contrast verified against WCAG AA standards (minimum 4.5:1 for body text). --- ## Phase E: DNS Switchover & Post-Launch Verification - [ ] Lower TTL (Time to Live) on current DNS records to 300 seconds 24h prior to launch. - [ ] Update A and CNAME records to point to production server. - [ ] Verify SSL certificate generation on the live apex domain and subdomains. - [ ] Verify live domain resolves on mobile network (cellular) and desktop WiFi. - [ ] Submit XML sitemap URL directly into Google Search Console for fresh indexing.
Usage Assumptions & Legal Qualification
Domain registrar propagation times can take up to 24 hours. Advise clients to launch on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, never Fridays. This template is published for educational and organizational clarity. It does not constitute formal legal, accounting, or tax advice. For high-stakes contracts, consult a qualified attorney in your governing jurisdiction.
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