The big day is finally here! Time to share your beautiful new website with the world! But have you thoroughly reviewed and proofread your website to make sure everything is running smoothly? If not, here are ten things you should do before launching your new website.

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Review and Proofread Your Website

Before your launch date, thoroughly review and proofread your website. Take a week before launching to sit down with no distractions. Break it down into one page or a section of your website per day. Do not try and do it all in one day. You will want to be well-rested and at your best when proofreading.

Mobile Version

Also, be sure and check the mobile version of your website. Sometimes we tend to forget this crucial step. The mobile version is significant because more people visit sites using their mobile devices. It’s easy to get absorbed in making sure our desktop version is perfect when the mobile version is just as important.

Check Links 

Check and double-check again that all of your links are working correctly.  Broken links can affect your SEO, and search engines could see your website as “spammy.” Check all your inbound and outbound links to ensure they are all working and direct users to the appropriate URL.  Remember, users will become frustrated with broken links and will not return to your website.

Test Forms

Be sure to test all of your forms to make sure they work appropriately.  These forms include all of your opt-in freebies that may link to a free download, your subscription forms, and any other forms that you have included on your website.  According to ConvertKit, there is an easy way to test your forms.  You can add a + sign and then some text at the end of the first part of your email.  Here are examples (Source:  ConvertKit):

1. yourname+1@gmail.com.
2. yourname+formtest@gmail.com.

ConvertKit also states that many major email providers (including Gmail and G Suite addresses) support email aliases, but not all of them. Be sure to double-check whether your email provider supports this before using this trick!

Check out ConvertKit if you are still trying to decide which email service provider to collect emails.

Add Share Icons

Share icons give users a quick and convenient way to share their content via social media outlets.  With WordPress, you can simply use a plugin.  If you use the Jetpack Plugin, they offer a way to add share buttons.   There are also platforms like ShareThis or Shareaholic that you can download and use to add the share icons.  Simply search for social media plugins in the Plugin section of WordPress.  Adding share icons allows visitors to your website to share your content easily on their social media platforms.  It’s like free advertising! 

Client Perspective

Ask someone to review your new website from a client’s perspective. Checking your website as a client is a great way to catch those errors you may not pick up from proofreading it yourself.  Ask them to jot down any issues they may have had and share them with you.  

Create Buzz

Start creating buzz about your new website launch a month or two before your actual launch date.  Post your launch date on your business social media accounts.  Share it on your social media platforms.  Another great place to share your new launch is in Facebook groups where potential clients may be hanging out.  Remember to check the rules to make sure they allow promotions.  Most groups have specific days that will enable you to promote your business.  Ask family and friends to share your news on their social media platforms.

Add Google Analytics 

Before launching your new website, make sure to have your Google Analytics installed.  This tool will give you valuable insight into how your website is performing. And, if you are not sure how to install Google Analytics, read How To Install Google Analytics.

SSL Certificate

Make sure that you have an SSL Certificate for your website.  Most hosting services provide this for their clients for free or with upgrades.   

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates the identity of a website and encrypts information sent to the server using SSL technology (Source:  GoDaddy.com).

They are critical to have because they keep users’ data secure and verify ownership of the website.  An SSL Certificate prevents attackers from creating a fake version of the site and conveys trust to users. 

Preform Website Back Up

Before launching your website, make sure to perform a backup of your website after you have completed all nine tasks above.  Most hosting platforms provide backup services.  Be sure to check your hosting service for how often they perform backups.

If you complete these ten items, your launch will be successful, and you can pop the bubbly! Are you ready to build your very own website? Check out my WordPress themes.