ou've been waiting months for this day - your website's launch day. You've planned, you've tweaked, you've agonized over every detail, and finally the big day is almost here. But as with any big project, there are a few smaller details that can easily be overlooked in the excitement. Your web designer has probably gone over these with you before, but it's worth taking a few quick steps to make sure everything is in order. Things here and there that your web designer might have mentioned can slip your mind when launch day grows closer, and they might seem small, but they're crucial to a successful launch. We all know how much work goes into a website, and now more than ever you want to be sure thatit's done right. Get in touch with your web designer and get a refresher on any details you might have missed. Of course, we are here to help… that’s why we are sharing our checklist for a successful launch with you. Take a note!
Ask your designer about their website launch checklist
It's important to remember that a successful website launch is a lot more than just flipping a switch. There are a lot of potential pitfalls, and if you're not careful, you could end up losing traffic, or worse, damaging your reputation. That's why it's essential to work with a designer or agency who has experience in launching websites. They'll have a website launch checklist that covers everything from testing the site on different browsers and devices to making sure all the links are working correctly. Familiarizing yourself with their processes will help you to understand the time and care involved in launching a website properly.
Don’t announce the launch too early
Announcing your website launch too early can be a huge mistake. If you're not quite finished and you run into some snags, like needing to add more features or waiting for content from the designer, you could easily miss your deadline. It's much better to wait until your website is almost done before making any official announcements! That way, you can avoid any last-minute headaches and ensure that your website is ready to go when people start visiting.
Liaise with your web designer
When it comesto launching a new website, it's important to keep your web designer or agency in the loop. They can give you an accurate idea of the time left on the project, as well as any potential issues that need resolving. It's very easy to get too excited and announce a launch date that puts unnecessary pressure on your web designer or agency. In addition, they may be able to identify any potential problems that could delay the launch. So, before you make any announcements, be sure to consult with your web designer or agency first.
Start building an email list
As anyone who has ever launched a website knows, there is a lot of work that goes into making sure that everything is up and running smoothly. One important step that is often overlooked is building an email list. An email list can be incredibly valuable, providing a ready-made audience for your launch announcement and giving you a way to stay in touch with your customers. Ask your web designer or agency to set up a holding page for you where you can collect email addresses, and be sure to direct people to this page. You can send out an announcement email to all of these people when your website goes live, ensuring that your launch is a success.
Prepare your social media announcements
One of the most important things you can do when launching a new website is to have all of your content prepared in advance. This means thinking about the text, images, and videos you want to use to promote your site in social media and other promotional channels. Having these ready to go will make it much easier for you to launch smoothly and save you time in the process, being prepared in advance also allows you to be more strategic about your content. You can take the timeto craft messages that are specifically designed to generate excitement and interest in your site.
Be there to test
The day of your website launch is an exciting one. After weeks or even months of planning and development, your new site is finally ready to show the world. However, before you can officially go live, there's still some work to be done. Your web designer or agency will be running through their launch checklist, testing various elements to ensure that everything is working as expected. This could involve testing email forms, payment systems, or other functionality. Making yourself available to assist with testing will help the launch to go smoothly. You'll also be safe in the knowledge that everything is working as it should be. With a successful launch, you can then sit back and enjoy watching your new website thrive.
Launching a website is no small task, but with careful planning and execution it can be a smooth process. We hope the tips in this blog post have been helpful for you and that you feel confident in taking on the challenge of launching your own website. Have you launched a website before? If so, what tips would you add to our list? Leave us a comment and let us know!
