10 technical checks before launching a website

Plenty of post-launch problems can be avoided with a careful check. This is the list we work through every single time.

1. The “Discourage search engines” setting is turned off.
2. The robots.txt file allows access to the important pages.
3. The XML sitemap is generated and submitted to Google Search Console.
4. Old URLs have 301 redirects pointing to the new pages.
5. Every page has a unique title and meta description.
6. Forms send messages correctly and the emails arrive.
7. Images are the right size and have alternative text.
8. The site runs on HTTPS only, with no mixed content.
9. Pages load quickly and look right on a phone.
10. A full backup exists before going live.

After launch, keep an eye on indexing errors in Search Console over the first few weeks. Problems caught early are far easier to fix.