# The website launch checklist

Blitz Studio · Updated 2026-10-26

Source: https://blitzstudio.xyz/resources/website-launch-checklist

## How to use this checklist

Work through the checks on a staging site, then repeat the launch checks on the public domain. Assign an owner to any unresolved item. Checking a box records your progress; it does not run an automated audit.

Your progress is saved only in this browser when storage is available. You can reset it, print the page or download a plain Markdown copy to use with your team. Do not store confidential project details here.

## Purpose and content

- [ ] Every important page answers a clear visitor question.
- [ ] Essential business facts, contact information and service descriptions have an owner who checked them.
- [ ] Draft copy, sample content and unsupported claims have been removed.
- [ ] Portfolio images, quotes and logos have permission and accurate attribution.
- [ ] Page headings describe the content and follow a logical hierarchy.
- [ ] Meaningful images have useful alternative text; decorative images do not repeat surrounding copy.

## Navigation and accessibility

- [ ] Main navigation and footer links reach the intended destination.
- [ ] Important tasks work on a phone, tablet and desktop with real content.
- [ ] Keyboard users can reach and operate links, menus, forms and dialogs.
- [ ] Focus is visible, and opening or closing a dialog returns focus appropriately.
- [ ] Text remains readable when zoomed, and essential information does not rely on color alone.
- [ ] Reduced motion is respected, and moving content does not prevent reading or interaction.
- [ ] Controls have useful names and sufficient space to use on a touch screen.

## Forms and business flows

- [ ] Every enquiry form has been submitted end to end.
- [ ] The intended team receives the submission, including any required context.
- [ ] Validation identifies what needs fixing without discarding completed fields.
- [ ] Confirmation messages explain the next step accurately.
- [ ] Booking, payment or account flows have been tested through their real success and failure states where applicable.
- [ ] Any test submissions, orders and accounts have been identified and handled appropriately.

## Search and migration

- [ ] Each indexable page has a useful, distinct title and description.
- [ ] Canonical URLs use the final production domain and match internal links.
- [ ] Important pages are linked through ordinary crawlable navigation or related content.
- [ ] The production site is not accidentally blocked by staging authentication, robots directives or a noindex setting.
- [ ] Private and staging content remains protected or excluded as appropriate.
- [ ] The sitemap contains the intended canonical public URLs and can be fetched.
- [ ] Old URLs have been reviewed and relevant redirects tested individually.
- [ ] Unknown pages return a real 404 rather than a misleading successful response.
- [ ] Structured data describes visible, accurate content without invented reviews or results.

## Performance, operation and launch

- [ ] Large images use suitable dimensions and compression; layout space is reserved for media.
- [ ] Below-the-fold media does not unnecessarily block the first useful screen.
- [ ] HTTPS and the preferred domain work on the public website.
- [ ] Existing email and other required DNS services continue to work.
- [ ] Analytics reflects the intended setup and is accurately disclosed.
- [ ] Backups, restores, updates, billing and support have named owners.
- [ ] The business has the account access and handoff instructions it needs.
- [ ] The primary visitor journey has been repeated after publishing.
- [ ] Search Console and analytics will be checked after launch without treating submission as proof of indexing.

## Related reading

Use the [website structure guide](https://blitzstudio.xyz/blog/website-structure-for-seo) to plan internal links or the [website brief template](https://blitzstudio.xyz/resources/website-brief-template) to agree scope before building.

## References

- [Google Search Central: SEO Starter Guide](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/seo-starter-guide)
- [W3C WAI: Easy checks for web accessibility](https://www.w3.org/WAI/test-evaluate/easy-checks/)