Watch this video to get a quick overview of website pre-publish essentials.

Essential items to check before publishing your website, organized by priority:

Design & Style

• Set site title (required) and logo (optional)
• Check fonts, colors, and spacing consistency
• Add favicon for browser tabs
• Consider adding cookie banner if needed

Page Content

• Set and optimize homepage
• Organize navigation menus logically
• Proofread all pages for errors and placeholders
• Verify URL slugs match page titles
• Ensure mobile-friendly layouts if using Fluid Editor
• Keep page sizes under 5MB for optimal loading

Images

• Add featured images for all pages
• Include alt text for social sharing
• Verify image links work correctly
• Check image quality and formatting
• Fix any cropping issues

Technical Setup

• Add custom domain
• Set primary domain (if multiple exist)
• Test all forms and verify submissions
• Check third-party integrations
• Verify social media links

SEO Optimization

• Add SEO descriptions for all pages
• Follow SEO checklist guidelines
• Submit site to Google Search Console
• Set up analytics tracking

E-commerce Setup (if applicable)

• Configure payment processor
• Set up tax rules
• Add shipping options
• Test complete checkout process
• Verify product details and pricing
• Disable test mode before launch

Final Launch Steps

• Remove page passwords
• Disable "Under Construction" page
• Adjust collaborator permissions
• Test on multiple devices and browsers
• Set up traffic monitoring

Post-Launch Marketing

• Share on social media
• Implement email marketing
• Use promotional tools
• Configure social shopping integrations

Specialized Page Checklists:

Blog Pages

• Publish initial content
• Configure comment settings
• Add tags and categories
• Set excerpt preferences
• Verify author information
• Set posts per page
• Add podcast details if applicable

Events Pages

• Review landing page
• Verify event details
• Add supplementary content

Portfolio Pages

• Style secondary pages
• Configure layout options
• Add supporting content

Remember to continuously monitor and update your site after launch to maintain optimal performance and user experience.

Related Articles

Previous Articles