Website launch checklist

Verify before going live

• Proofread every public pageContentCheck spelling, grammar, claims, pricing and contact information.
• Remove placeholder contentContentSearch for lorem ipsum, TODO notes, test data and temporary images.
• Test every form and confirmationContentSubmit real test enquiries and verify delivery, errors and thank-you states.
• Check navigation and important linksContentTest menus, CTAs, footer links, downloads and external destinations.
• Write a unique title and descriptionSEOUse the Meta Preview stage to confirm length, relevance and click appeal.
• Confirm canonical URLsSEOEvery indexable page should point to its preferred public URL.
• Remove accidental noindex rulesSEOReview robots meta tags, response headers and robots.txt before launch.
• Generate and submit an XML sitemapSEOInclude canonical indexable pages and submit it in search-engine tools.
• Add and validate structured dataSEOUse the generated JSON-LD and test it on the final live URL.
• Map redirects from old URLsSEOPreserve important backlinks and prevent avoidable 404 errors.
• Install analyticsAnalyticsConfirm the production property and measurement ID are being used.
• Test conversion eventsAnalyticsVerify enquiries, purchases, downloads and other key actions.
• Review consent behaviorAnalyticsEnsure analytics and marketing tags respect the chosen consent state.
• Test important pages on mobilePerformanceCheck real devices for loading, layout stability and interaction delays.
• Optimize production imagesPerformanceCompress assets, set dimensions and use appropriate responsive formats.
• Configure caching and compressionPerformanceConfirm static assets use effective caching and Brotli or gzip.
• Verify fonts and critical resourcesPerformanceAvoid invisible text, unnecessary font weights and render-blocking assets.
• Complete a keyboard-only checkAccessibilityReach every interactive element with visible focus and logical order.
• Review image alternative textAccessibilityDescribe meaningful images and leave decorative images empty.
• Check labels, headings and landmarksAccessibilityForms need labels and pages need a logical semantic structure.
• Verify color contrastAccessibilityCheck text, links, controls, focus indicators and disabled states.
• Force HTTPS everywhereSecurityRedirect HTTP, remove mixed content and confirm the certificate chain.
• Remove exposed keys and debug outputSecurityCheck bundles, source maps, logs, environment variables and test accounts.
• Review security headersSecurityConfigure CSP, frame protection, referrer policy and MIME sniffing protection.
• Confirm backups and rollbackOperationsKnow how to restore data and return to the previous release.
• Enable uptime and error monitoringOperationsRoute production failures to an owner who can respond.
• Test 404 and error pagesOperationsProvide useful recovery paths without exposing internal details.
• Assign post-launch ownershipOperationsDocument who owns content, leads, incidents, domains and renewals.