1. Set a Clear Goal for the Website
Before anything else, understand the purpose of the website. Is it a business site, a portfolio, an online store, or a blog? Every detail from the layout to features should support that goal.
2. Check Website Content
Go through every page and make sure:
- The text is clear, well-written, and error-free.
- Headlines are meaningful and relevant.
- Placeholder content like “Lorem Ipsum” is removed.
- All internal links are working.
- The contact information is correct.
3. Test All Contact Forms
Your forms should be working properly. Submit a test message and make sure:
- Emails are being received.
- The thank-you message appears.
- There are no spam issues.
4. Make Sure It’s Mobile-Friendly
More than 50% of visitors browse from mobile. Use tools like Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to:
- Check if the design works on different screen sizes.
- Ensure that buttons, forms, and text are readable on phones.
5. Set Up Basic SEO
Help your site show up on search engines. You should:
- Add SEO titles and meta descriptions.
- Use a plugin like Rank Math or Yoast.
- Check that each page has only one H1 tag.
6. Optimize Site Speed
Fast websites perform better. Do this before launching:
- Compress images using tools like TinyPNG.
- Use caching plugins like WP Rocket.
- Minify CSS and JavaScript.
7. Set a Favicon
A favicon is the small icon that shows in the browser tab. It helps your site look professional. Add it via your WordPress Customizer.
8. Set Up Google Analytics
You need data to track performance. Set up Google Analytics or GA4 and test if it’s recording visits correctly.
9. Submit to Google Search Console
After launch, submit your sitemap to Google Search Console to help your site get indexed.
10. Install a Security Plugin
A fresh WordPress site is often a target. Use tools like Wordfence or iThemes Security to protect your site.
11. Create a Backup System
If anything breaks, you should be able to restore it. Set up automatic backups with plugins like UpdraftPlus or Jetpack.
12. Double-Check All Buttons and Links
Click every button and menu link. Make sure they lead to the right pages.
13. Optimize Images
Heavy images slow down your site. Use the right format (WebP or JPG) and compress large files.
14. Set Up a Custom 404 Page
Sometimes users land on a broken page. A custom 404 page helps guide them back instead of frustrating them.
15. Install a Caching Plugin
A caching plugin speeds up your site for visitors. WP Super Cache, W3 Total Cache, or WP Rocket are great options.
16. Enable SSL (HTTPS)
Your site should use HTTPS for security. Make sure your SSL certificate is active and no pages are showing mixed content errors.
17. Test Browser Compatibility
Your site should work on Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge. Open it in each browser to confirm.
18. Remove Unused Plugins & Themes
Clean up the backend by deleting inactive plugins and themes. It improves performance and reduces security risks.
19. Create Legal Pages
You may need pages like:
- Privacy Policy
- Terms and Conditions
- Cookie Notice
These build trust and are required in many countries.
20. Set Up Proper Permalinks
Use a clean URL structure (e.g., domain.com/blog-post-title). Go to Settings > Permalinks and choose “Post name.”
21. Configure Email Sending
Use an SMTP plugin like WP Mail SMTP to avoid email delivery problems. Test emails to confirm they work.
22. Check Accessibility
Make sure everyone can use your site:
- Use alt text for images.
- Ensure good color contrast.
- Use clear and readable fonts.
23. Configure the Homepage and Blog Page
Set your homepage and blog page under Settings > Reading if needed. This avoids confusion later.
24. Turn Off Debug Mode
If you had WP_DEBUG turned on while developing, turn it off before launch to avoid showing errors to users.
25. Final Pre-Launch Walkthrough
Do a complete walkthrough:
- Pretend you’re a visitor.
- Test main journeys (e.g., filling a form, buying a product).
- Ask a team member to do the same. A fresh eye catches more issues.
Launching a website is a big step, but you’ll avoid problems by checking each item on this list. Whether it’s a small business site or a client project, following this checklist ensures a smoother launch and a better first impression.
Want to make it even easier?
Use a printable or digital checklist and mark items as you go. And if you’d rather not do it all yourself—hire a professional white-label team like DevHush to handle everything behind the scenes.
