Website Creation Checklist: Steps for a Flawless Launch

So, your website creation journey is finally complete. At this point, the links have been tested, and an editor has read and re-read the copy. QA people have tried to break the website for quality control, and you have tested your website on all browsers and devices. After all your hard work, you’re excited to share your website creation with the world and ready to start promoting.

When we get caught up in the excitement of launching a website, a few key steps can get overlooked, which may leave a new website creation vulnerable to hacking or cause a poor user experience due to slow loading times.

Prompted by my own experience, I have created a quick checklist to go through before I release a new website creation project. I work on many WordPress sites, so I have included some WordPress-specific website launching tweaks.

Our Step-by-Step Website Creation Launch Checklist

1. Route the name servers through Cloudflare.
2. If it is WordPress site, install Autoptimize.
3. Add caching code to htaccess file.
4. Run the website through Google Page Speed Insights. Tweak as needed.
5. If a WordPress site, uncheck “Discourage search engines from indexing this site”.
6. If a WordPress site, install and configure security plugins such as iThemes security.
7. Add website to Google Analytics.
8. Add website to Google Search Console and submit sitemap.

Route the nameservers through Cloudflare.

Routing your nameservers through Cloudflare not only hides your website’s server from potential hackers, adding an essential layer of security, but also enhances performance. Cloudflare’s caching and minifying tools significantly speed up your website by storing and serving copies of your content from its global network of servers. This reduces server load and ensures faster page load times for visitors, no matter where they are located. Cloudflare’s DNS management also improves site reliability, making it a powerful tool for both security and speed optimization. More info on Cloudflare here.
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If a WordPress site, install Autoptimize.

This plugin will minify your code and speed up your website. However, results can vary depending on the number of plugins you use and if you’re using a site builder. Some web hosting packages offer similar built-in optimization tools, which can enhance your site’s performance without the need for additional plugins. Exploring hosting providers with these built-in options can be beneficial, as they often include features like caching and code minification to streamline speed and efficiency. More info on Autoptimize here.
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Add caching code to htaccess file.

When running your website through Google Page Speed Insights (next step), you’ll often see a recommendation to implement caching to improve speed. Caching your pages and code stores a version of your site’s content, allowing it to load much faster for returning visitors. This not only enhances user experience but also reduces server load and improves overall website performance, helping to achieve higher speed scores on both desktop and mobile.
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Run the website through Google Page Speed Insights. Tweak as needed.

Google Page Speed Insights is an invaluable tool for assessing and improving page loading times and overall user experience. It analyzes both mobile and desktop performance, providing actionable insights to enhance speed, optimize resources, and create a smoother, more responsive website experience for users. Test your own site out with this useful Page Speed reader.
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If it is a WordPress site, be sure to uncheck “Discourage search engines from indexing this site”.

This is a simple thing that often gets overlooked when launching a WordPress website. When on the WordPress dashboard, you can find this option under Settings – Reading.
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If it is a WordPress site, install and configure security plugins such as iThemes security.

There are many security plugins out there for WordPress. iThemes is a favourite for many reasons. iThemes hides the WordPress backend, bans hackers trying to login, and sends file change warnings to you and the daily security digest. WordPress is open source and constantly under attack. Whatever plugin you prefer to use for security, make sure to use it correctly and update it as necessary.

For non-WordPress sites, speak to your developer to make sure everything is locked down. I would advise against using web hosting companies such as GoDaddy, HostGator or Bluehost. They are constantly under attack (DDOS) and vulnerable to getting hacked. Their support staff can only answer the limited questions that they have been trained to answer (they do not have IT people answer the phones).
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Add website to Google Analytics.

Google Analytics will track all your website traffic and provide you with reports. This will help you to see where users drop off, which devices are most used, what areas of the world your users come from and many other detailed statistics pertaining to your targets.
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Add website to Google Search Console and submit sitemap.

Google Search Console will monitor the health of your website. It will let you know where you have broken links, inform you when if get hacked, and track the most common search phrases used to find you. By submitting your site map (all the pages in your website), Google Search Engine can easily crawl through and index your website faster, instead of just finding your site organically.
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