Are you about to launch a new WordPress website for your business? Want to ensure you have ticked all the right boxes before you start marketing it?

WP Eagle share their WordPress tips in this infographic.

Here are a few that make their list:

• Test your forms
• Test your site on all browsers
• Encourage search engines
• Setup Google Analytics and Search Console
• Check your content and links

Check out the infographic for more.

 

Launching a WordPress website is an exciting milestone for any online startup. However, to ensure a successful launch, it’s crucial to pay attention to various aspects of your website’s functionality, SEO and marketing, content and design, as well as legal considerations.

In this comprehensive checklist, we’ll guide you through the essential steps to take before launching your WordPress website, ensuring a smooth and successful online debut.

 

Test your WordPress forms

Ensure that all the forms on your website, such as contact forms or subscription forms, are working correctly. Test each form thoroughly by submitting dummy data and verifying that you receive the expected notifications or emails.

 

Create and test your 404 page

A 404 page appears when a user tries to access a non-existent page. Create a custom 404 page that provides helpful information and links to guide users back to relevant content. Test this page to ensure it displays correctly and functions as intended.

 

Test the checkout process from start to finish

If your website includes an e-commerce component, thoroughly test the entire checkout process. Make sample purchases, process payments, and confirm that the order confirmation emails are being sent accurately.

 

Test all major browsers and on all devices

Your website should display and function properly across different browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Additionally, test your website’s responsiveness on various devices, such as desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

 

Ensure WordPress, your theme, and plugins are up to date

Regularly updating WordPress, themes, and plugins is essential for security and optimal performance. Before launching your website, make sure you have the latest versions installed to avoid compatibility issues or security vulnerabilities.

 

Make sure your site is secure

Implement security measures to protect your website and users’ data. Install a reliable security plugin, enable SSL encryption, and use strong passwords for all user accounts. Conduct a security audit to identify and address any potential vulnerabilities.

 

Check downloadable files

If your website offers downloadable files, such as PDFs or software, ensure that they are accessible and functioning correctly. Test downloading files from different browsers and devices to ensure a seamless user experience.

 

Encourage search engines to index your website

Configure your website’s settings to allow search engines to crawl and index your pages. Make sure your site isn’t blocked by robots.txt and enable search engine visibility in your WordPress settings.

 

Implement Google Analytics

Integrate Google Analytics into your website to track visitor behavior, measure traffic, and gain valuable insights into your audience. Set up goals and conversion tracking to monitor the success of your marketing efforts.

 

Set up Google Search Console

Google Search Console provides valuable data and diagnostic information about your website’s presence in Google search results. Verify your website with Google Search Console and monitor any issues or errors that may impact your site’s visibility.

 

Submit a sitemap to Google

Create an XML sitemap using a plugin or a sitemap generator tool. Submit the sitemap to Google Search Console to ensure that search engines can easily discover and index all your webpages.

 

Do a site speed test

Website speed is crucial for user experience and search engine rankings. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to analyze your site’s performance and identify areas for improvement. Optimize images, enable caching, and consider using a content delivery network (CDN) to enhance your website’s speed.

 

Check all of your SEO settings

Review your website’s SEO settings, including meta titles, descriptions, and keywords. Ensure that your target keywords are incorporated naturally throughout your content. Use an SEO plugin to optimize your pages for search engines.

 

Make sure your 301 redirects are in place

If you’ve made changes to your website’s URL structure or have redirected old URLs to new ones, make sure all the 301 redirects are correctly implemented. This ensures that visitors and search engines are seamlessly redirected to the relevant pages.

 

Check your content

Review all the content on your website for accuracy, grammar, and spelling. Ensure that it aligns with your brand’s voice and tone, and is engaging and informative for your target audience.

 

Check your images, videos, and sliders

Verify that all images, videos, and sliders are properly displaying and functioning across different devices and browsers. Optimize images for web to reduce load times without sacrificing quality.

 

Check all your links

Manually check every internal and external link on your website to ensure they are all working correctly. Broken links can negatively impact user experience and harm your website’s SEO.

 

Add a favicon

A favicon is a small icon that appears in the browser’s tab next to your website’s title. It adds a professional touch to your website’s branding. Create a favicon and add it to your WordPress site to enhance its visual appeal.

 

Cookies

If your website uses cookies, ensure that you have a cookie policy in place. Clearly communicate how cookies are used and obtain consent from users as required by applicable privacy laws.

 

Data protection

Review your website’s data protection practices and ensure compliance with relevant data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Implement appropriate measures to protect user data and provide a privacy policy that clearly explains your data handling practices.

 

Accessibility

Make sure your website is accessible to users with disabilities. Review accessibility guidelines and standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and make necessary adjustments to ensure your website is inclusive and can be accessed by all users.

 

Terms & conditions

Draft and publish clear and comprehensive terms and conditions for your website. These terms outline the rules and guidelines for using your website, protecting your business’s rights and setting expectations for users.

 

E-commerce policies

If you’re running an online store, create policies related to shipping, returns, refunds, and customer support. Clearly communicate these policies to your customers to build trust and provide a smooth shopping experience.

 

Conclusion

Launching a WordPress website requires careful planning and attention to detail. By following this comprehensive checklist, you can ensure that your website is fully functional, optimized for search engines, visually appealing, and compliant with legal requirements.

Taking the time to address these crucial aspects before launching your website will set the stage for online startup success and help you provide a seamless user experience from day one.