Launching a website can make or break your business. 75% of users judge credibility based on design, and 88% won't return after a poor experience. To ensure success, follow this 15-point checklist covering technical setup, security, performance testing, SEO, and marketing. Key highlights include:

• Technical Setup: Choose reliable hosting, configure DNS, and secure your site with SSL and backups.

• Performance Testing: Optimize for speed, test across browsers, and ensure mobile compatibility.

• SEO Basics: Use proper page titles, meta descriptions, and internal links to boost visibility.

• Launch Marketing: Plan pre-launch teasers, launch day campaigns, and post-launch updates.

• Post-Launch Maintenance: Regularly monitor analytics, update content, and strengthen security.

This guide simplifies the process, helping you avoid pitfalls and maximize your website's impact. Let’s dive into the details!

SEO Basics: Technical SEO Audit Checklist

Technical Setup and Security

Building a solid technical foundation for your website is essential, especially when 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses . Here's how to launch your site securely and keep it running smoothly.

Domain and Hosting Setup

Start by choosing a hosting provider you can depend on. Shared hosting plans might cost as little as $2.75 per month, but upgrading to a more powerful hosting option can make a noticeable difference in performance . Look for:

• 99.9%+ server uptime guarantee

• Scalability for future growth

• Built-in security features

• Responsive technical support

• Server locations that match your audience's region

When configuring your DNS, ensure all critical records are in place. This includes A records for your domain, CNAME records for subdomains, and MX records for email routing. Keep in mind that DNS changes can take 24–48 hours to propagate fully.

Once your domain and hosting are set, focus on securing your site.

Website Security Setup

Website security is non-negotiable. A staggering 60% of small businesses shut down within six months of a cyberattack .

"In June 2022, WP Buffs enhanced security with Cloudflare Enterprise, reducing malicious bot traffic by 67%, boosting site performance by 22%, cutting security-related support tickets by 15%, and saving an estimated $50,000."

Here are key steps to protect your website:

1. Install an SSL certificate: Not only does this secure your site, but it can also boost conversion rates by up to 87% .

2. Configure a web application firewall (WAF): Shield your site from malicious traffic.

3. Enable two-factor authentication: Add an extra layer of security for admin access.

4. Use strong password policies: Prevent unauthorized access with complex passwords.

5. Set up regular malware scanning: Catch vulnerabilities before they become problems.

With your security measures in place, ensure you're prepared for the unexpected with reliable backups.

Backup Systems

A good backup system can save you from data loss or security breaches. Here's a recommended approach:

| Backup Component | Recommended Setup | Purpose |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Frequency | Daily automated backups | Keep recent data safe |
| Storage | Off-site cloud storage (e.g., <a href="https://aws.amazon.com/s3/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-framer-link="Link:{"url":"https://aws.amazon.com/s3/","type":"url"}" data-framer-open-in-new-tab="">Amazon S3</a>) | Protect against server issues |
| Retention | 30 days of daily backups + 12 monthly backups | Cover both short- and long-term needs |
| Testing | Monthly restoration tests | Confirm backups work as expected |
| Security | Encrypted backup files | Safeguard sensitive information

Finally, tighten server permissions to limit vulnerabilities:

• Directories: 755 (drwxr-xr-x)

• Regular files: 644 (rw-r--r--)

• Configuration files: 600 (rw-------)

Testing Website Performance

Performance testing matters: 53% of mobile users leave sites that take over 3 seconds to load . Here’s a breakdown of the key areas to test to ensure your website runs smoothly on all platforms.

Device and Browser Testing

With Chrome holding a 65% market share and Safari at 18% , testing across these platforms is critical. Here's what to focus on:

| Browser Type | Testing Priority | Key Check Points |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Chrome | High (65% share) | JavaScript functionality, CSS rendering |
| Safari | High (18% share) | iOS compatibility, form behavior |
| Firefox | Medium (8% share) | Page layout, animations |
| Edge | Medium (6% share) | Windows-specific features |
| Others | Low (3% share) | Basic functionality

For example, Shopify optimized browser performance and reduced load times from 4.3 to 1.8 seconds, resulting in a 28% increase in conversions. This highlights the importance of multi-browser testing and techniques like lazy loading.

Content and Menu Testing

Content testing isn’t just about proofreading. It's about ensuring everything - from navigation to visuals - works as intended. A SaaS company used heat map data to refine their landing page, boosting sign-ups by 35% and lowering bounce rates by 20% .

Key areas to test:

• Ensure navigation links work correctly.

• Validate text, images, and downloadable resources.

• Use Google's Core Web Vitals to measure user experience.

• Test mobile responsiveness in both portrait and landscape modes.

Another example: A B2B software company improved their site navigation, cutting bounce rates by 25% and increasing session duration by 40% .

Testing Forms and Payments

Issues with forms and payments can directly hurt revenue. In fact, 70% of consumers abandon carts due to poor checkout experiences . Here's what to test:

• Form Functionality: Check all fields, ensure error messages are clear, and track completion rates. Enhanced error messaging alone led to a 30% improvement in form completion rates .

• Payment Processing: Test successful transactions, failed payments, refunds, partial payments, and multiple currency support.

• Security Checks: Confirm SSL certificates, verify security indicators, and monitor transaction flows.

For instance, an online retailer identified and fixed a discount code bug through regular testing, increasing completed transactions by 7% . This shows how proactive testing can directly impact your bottom line.

SEO and Analytics

Search engine optimization (SEO) and analytics are key to a website's success. With 68% of online experiences starting on a search engine , it's essential to optimize your site and track its performance effectively.

Basic SEO Setup

Good SEO increases visibility. For instance, websites with blogs can have up to 434% more indexed pages . Here's a quick breakdown of key elements to focus on:

| Element | Purpose | Best Practice |
| --- | --- | --- |
| <strong>Page Titles</strong> | Boost search visibility | Use target keywords within the first 60 characters |
| <strong>Meta Descriptions</strong> | Improve click-through rates | Keep between 155-160 characters with a compelling call-to-action |
| <strong>Header Tags</strong> | Organize content | Use H1 for main titles and H2–H4 for subtitles |
| <strong>Image Alt Text</strong> | Enhance accessibility | Write descriptive text with relevant keywords |
| <strong>Internal Links</strong> | Improve navigation | Use descriptive anchor text for strategic linking

SEO tools like Yoast SEO and RankMath can simplify this process by providing easy-to-follow scoring systems. Additionally, implementing schema markup can further improve your search visibility. For example:

{ 
  "@context": "https://schema.org", 
  "@type": "Organization", 
  "name": "Your Company Name", 
  "url": "https://www.yourwebsite.com" 
}

Once your SEO basics are in place, it's time to set up tracking tools to monitor performance.

Setting Up Tracking Tools

Since Universal Analytics is no longer supported , switch to Google Analytics 4 (GA4). Here's what you need to do:

1. Create a GA4 property and configure data streams.

2. Embed the tracking code on your site.

3. Set up conversion tracking for key actions.

4. Enable enhanced measurement features.

Track important metrics like:

• Form submissions

• E-commerce transactions

• File downloads

• Video engagement

• Scroll depth

• Time spent on pages

These insights will help you understand user behavior and refine your strategies.

Search Engine Setup

To ensure search engines can properly index your site, create and submit a sitemap and configure your robots.txt file. For example:

User-agent: *
Disallow: /wp-admin/
Allow: /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php
Sitemap: https://www.yoursite.com/sitemap.xml

Steps to follow:

• Validate your sitemap before submission.

• Submit it to Google and Bing.

• Update the sitemap whenever new content is added.

• Block sensitive areas from being indexed.

• Ensure essential resources are crawlable.

Use tools like Google Search Console to monitor your site's visibility and address any technical issues that arise. This will help you stay on top of your site's performance and search rankings.

Launch and Marketing

Once technical and performance checks are done, it's time to focus on a well-planned launch and targeted marketing efforts. A strong launch strategy is key - especially since 94% of first impressions are based on design .

Pre-Launch Checks

Before you hit "publish", go through a detailed final review. Use this checklist to ensure everything is in order:

| Check Type | Key Actions | Priority |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Content | Proofread all pages and check formatting | High |
| Technical | Test forms, buttons, and payment systems | Critical |
| Mobile | Make sure the site works well on all devices | High |
| Security | Check SSL certificates, backups, and firewalls | Critical |
| Performance | Measure page load times and server responses | Medium

Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can help confirm your site meets performance benchmarks . Also, double-check that backups are functional and secure.

Once everything checks out, shift your attention to planning a strategic marketing rollout.

Website Launch Marketing

Capitalize on your site's strengths with a well-coordinated marketing plan. Personalized emails, for instance, can increase transaction and revenue rates by up to six times . Here's how to structure your marketing efforts:

• Pre-Launch Campaign: Share teaser content across your channels to build excitement. Time these announcements for peak engagement periods, avoiding major holidays .

• Launch Day Activities: Roll out a multi-channel campaign that includes:

  • Sending personalized launch emails to your subscriber list

  • Announcing the launch on social media

  • Kicking off pre-planned paid ad campaigns

  • Monitoring website performance and user interactions

• Promotional Strategy: Focus on the platforms where your audience is most active. Here's a quick breakdown:

| Channel | Purpose | Key Actions |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Email Marketing | Direct outreach | Send personalized launch announcements |
| Social Media | Build awareness | Highlight key features and benefits |
| Press Release | Gain media coverage | Share news with industry publications

Post-Launch Tasks

Once the site is live, keep the momentum going by staying proactive:

• Use tools like Google Analytics 4 to track performance and gather user feedback through on-site surveys.

• Monitor site security and performance regularly.

• Update content frequently to keep your site engaging.

• Stay on top of security updates with a Web Application Firewall (WAF) and periodic audits as traffic grows.

Keep stakeholders informed with regular updates on performance and planned improvements.

Next Steps

Your website is live, but the work doesn't stop there. With websites influencing 97% of customer purchases , regular updates and maintenance are key to staying ahead. Here's a simple guide to help you keep your site optimized for long-term success:

| Timeframe | Key Actions | Tools/Resources |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | Check automated backups | Automated backup tools |
| Monthly | Run security scans, analyze performance, and review analytics | Google Analytics 4, vulnerability scanners |
| Quarterly | Update and audit content, refine SEO strategy | SEO monitoring tools |
| Annually | Conduct a full website audit | Professional audit services

Data can guide your improvements. In 2023, Wayfair saw a 28% boost in organic traffic and a 15% rise in conversions by focusing on weekly performance reviews and monthly content updates .

In addition to these scheduled tasks, make sure to:

• Update all software and plugins as soon as updates are available

• Keep an eye on user behavior to spot trends or issues

• Apply security patches without delay

Need expert help? Striking Alchemy offers services specifically designed for small businesses and growing brands. Our team can assist with:

• Improving website performance

• Fine-tuning SEO and content strategies

• Monitoring security and applying updates

• Enhancing conversion rates

• Providing detailed analytics and reporting

Continuous improvement is essential in today’s competitive online space. Reach out to Striking Alchemy for customized website maintenance plans that support your growth.

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