A straightforward website launch checklist

Content and business details

• Services, prices and availability are accurate.
• Contact details and enquiry destinations are correct.
• Spelling, dates and location references have been reviewed.
• Every important page has a clear next step.
• Images have permission for use and meaningful alternatives where needed.

Ask someone who was not involved in the build to read the site. They are more likely to notice assumptions, missing context and confusing labels.

Usability and accessibility

• Test the main journey on a phone, tablet and desktop.
• Navigate every interactive element using only a keyboard.
• Check visible focus, readable contrast and comfortable touch targets.
• Confirm headings describe the page in a sensible order.
• Test forms with missing, incorrect and successful submissions.
• Respect reduced-motion and high-contrast preferences.

Search, security and privacy

• Use one preferred HTTPS domain and redirect alternatives.
• Give every page a useful title, description and canonical address.
• Publish a sitemap and reference it from robots.txt.
• Set appropriate security headers and keep dependencies current.
• Explain analytics, enquiry handling and relevant third-party services.
• Collect only the personal information genuinely required.

Legal needs vary by business and how data is used. A website developer can implement the agreed controls and disclosures, but specialist legal advice may still be appropriate.

After launch

• Verify the site in Google Search Console and submit the sitemap.
• Check the live domain, enquiry delivery and confirmation messages.
• Review analytics for real journeys rather than chasing pageviews alone.
• Fix repeated points of confusion reported by genuine visitors.
• Keep content, software and privacy information up to date.

A launch is the beginning of useful evidence. The best improvements come from seeing what real visitors need, where they hesitate, and which questions arrive repeatedly.