Website launch checklist

Building a website is a complex process that requires many aspects to be taken into account. We have created a checklist that has to be completed for your website to really work for your business.

1. Layout and graphics

• Define the purpose and target audience of the website.
• Create a layout sketch, including navigation, content placement and interactive elements.
• Choose a colour scheme and make sure it is consistent with the brand and attracts attention.
• Choose and adjust the typography, taking care of readability and accessibility.
• Create graphics and photos, paying attention to consistency with the company’s identity.
• Approve the final design and make sure it meets all the requirements and is accepted by the client.

2. Responsiveness and accessibility

• Test on different devices and make sure the website looks good on computers, tablets and phones.
• Check accessibility: use accessibility testing tools to make sure the website is usable by people with different needs.
• Optimise touch elements: buttons and links should be easy to tap on touch screens.
• Adjust the size of text and images and make sure they scale properly on different screens.

3. The WordPress CMS

• Choose the right template and make sure it is responsive and suited to your needs.
• Install the necessary plugins, but do not overdo it, as every extra plugin can affect the speed of the website.
• Secure the admin panel: use strong passwords and update WordPress to the latest version.
• Update plugins and templates regularly to prevent security problems.
• Make backups: save the state of your website regularly to avoid data loss.

4. Loading speed and optimisation

• Optimise images by reducing their size without losing quality.
• Minify and combine CSS and JS files to reduce the number of requests to the server.
• Use lazy loading for images and content, loading elements only when they are needed.
• Use caching to store frequently used files in the user’s browser.
• Monitor loading speed with tools such as Google PageSpeed Insights.

5. SEO and content

• Prepare original and valuable content
• Do keyword research and choose keywords for your client.
• Optimise titles and descriptions and make sure they contain keywords.
• Use headings and paragraphs, which make reading easier and help SEO.
• Optimise URLs: they should be readable and contain keywords.
• Add meta tags and alt attributes to images to make indexing by search engines easier.

6. Server configuration, SSL, backups and security

• Choose a trusted hosting provider and make sure it offers the right speed and support.
• Set up an SSL certificate, which is essential for security and SEO.
• Create a backup schedule and save the state of your website regularly.
• Protect your website against attacks: use a firewall and scan the website for malware.
• Monitor the state of the server and the website, and stay on top of any performance or security problems.