We get it, website design and construction can be overwhelming and stressful, and you’re worried you’ll publish your site before it’s truly ready. Launching a premature site could be very detrimental to your business, so it is important that when made accessible to viewers, your site is free of error. That’s why we’ve compiled a checklist of fourteen things to do before officially launching your website.
- Content map
Creating a content map is a great way to ensure your content is generating intended results. It will allow you to provide proper content to the right people. Content maps also help for organization and easy navigation. - Favicon
Also known as a bookmark icon, the favicon is the small icon placed next to the page title in your browser tab. Use a favicon to assure better site identification, and to make your site look more professional. - Titles
Titles are one of the simplest, yet most important facets of a webpage. Titles act as an organization tool to indicate where your content is located. It is important to check titles and rid of any duplicates prior to launching your site. - Cross-browser checks
Each internet browser is different, so your site may not appear consistent across a variety of browsers. You can never be sure which browser your audience is using to view your site, so it is important to design your content so that it can be viewed consistently across every browser. Prior to launch, check every browser to make sure navigation is uniform, easy, and error-free on each. - Ensure the site functions on all devices
Like browsers, devices may also display websites differently. Thoroughly check your site on all devices including iPhones, Androids, desktop computers, laptops, iPads, etc. before making your site accessible to the general public. - Proofread
When writing the text for your website, it is easy to miss punctuation or misspell a word here or there. Proofread every single page before launching to ensure it is free of any grammatical errors. It’s also in your best interest to have someone else search for mistakes. - Test links
Go through your website and check for broken links. Make sure all the links lead to the proper web address, and that they stand out. Viewers must be able to identify a link, so we suggest both underlining them and making them a different color. - Functionality check.
Conduct a functionality check to make sure your website is running properly. Test the search bars and forms to make sure they are operating as intended. - Backup
If you use a database to run your website, you’ll probably want to have a backup strategy. That way, when unforeseeable circumstances present themselves, your hard work, time and effort will not go to waste. Backups will provide you with peace of mind so that you’ll never have to worry about losing site data. - Review site speed
The slightest delay in site loading could cause a drop in traffic. Because of this, it is crucial to make sure your site is running quickly and efficiently. Site speed is also an official Google ranking factor, meaning that a faster loading speed not only enhances viewer experience, it also boosts your rankings. - Make sure your 404 page is set up properly
Oftentimes, a viewer makes an attempt to view your page but is not able to because they made a mistake when typing the web address. When this happens, if not set up properly, the viewer will be led to an ‘error’ page, called a 404 page. You should prepare your 404 page prior to launch to increase the chances that viewers can access your site even when they mistype a URL. - Proper formatting
Formatting your site properly can provide your visitors with the aesthetic experience they’ve been looking for. It also reduces clutter, resulting in easier navigation and more results. - Consistent content and design
Staying true to one theme makes your site visually pleasing to your visitors. This enhances their experience and increases the chances that they will remain on your site longer. Before launching, make sure your website’s color scheme, format, and images complement one another. - Link social media accounts
Before you make your site officially accessible to the public, it is important to include links to your business’s social media accounts. Doing so will make it much easier for your visitors to follow your brand and remain updated on all of your work. Linking your business’s social profiles to your site also improves link building and rankings, and creates visibility.
Want to create a website that reflects your brand and gets results? Look no further than Robb Digital. With a specialty in web design and development, we’re here to fulfill all your website needs. Contact us today to learn more about all Robb Digital has to offer.