Launching Your Website: The Ultimate Checklist - Part 1

Launching your website is an exciting time in the life of your business. You will learn about website creation, website design and website hosting, but do you know what else to research? From SEO strategies to social media marketing campaigns, there are many things that you need to consider before launching a new website. Use this ultimate checklist for launching your business website!

Before you begin

1. Do your research - Your website is your online shop window, which means it needs to be a top-quality, responsive website, that represents your business well. Luckily, we can offer you everything you need on a business website - so you don't have to look far.
2. Talk to your web designer - You should give your web designer an overview of what you want from your website. The functionality you require and the sort of look you want to achieve. When you sign up for a Web Guys website, you will have a 1-2-1 call with Jon (our designer guy), to discuss everything you want from your website.
3. Choose your design - You might have a design in mind for your website, or you may need a little help. Either way, we can build a website that works for you and your business - with that all-important professional look.
4. Learn from your previous website - If you already have a business website, you can learn from it. By analysing your old website, you can figure out what you need to do better this time around.
5. Develop your brand - Your branding should be consistent throughout all of your website. Your colours, fonts and logos should be consistent throughout. So be sure to give this information to your designer before the build begins.
6. Write your content - Your content is a huge part of your website. If you want people to visit and stay on your website, then it needs to be written in a way that will appeal to them. Think about who your target audience is, what they want from your website and what action you want them to take.
7. Consider your SEO strategy - When designing your website, you should think about how well your website is set up to deliver your SEO strategy. Your content should have keywords that are relevant and up-to-date. The key is not having too much or too little - just enough for Google robots to understand what your website talks about!
8. Choose a launch date - Although website builds don't always go as planned, if you have a date in mind for the launch, it helps all involved know what your targets are.
9. Start building the website - Now that all the research has been done, it's time to start creating your website. If your research led you to us, then you simply need to leave the heavy lifting to us and we will begin to build your amazing website.

We hope that you got value from our blog post to help with your business. If you are looking to create a new website or your current site need updating then contact our director of business development Gary on sales@thewebguys.co.uk to take your online presence to the next level. If you need help and assistance with a brand new website, then why not schedule a 1-2-1 chat with our Web Guy Jon? He can talk you through all the ways you can make your website work. We can help you to create a top-quality website that you can use to sell your products or services – we will help you to get your website up and running and advise you on how to really make the most of your website >>> Get started today.

What Does 'Doing Your Research' Actually Involve?

Effective pre-launch research goes deeper than just looking at other websites you like. It is a strategic process to position your new site for success. The goal is to understand the competitive landscape and your audience's needs before a single page is designed. This foundational work informs everything from your site's structure to its content.

1. Competitor Analysis: Identify 3-5 direct competitors. Analyse their websites to understand what they do well and where they fall short. Look at their site structure, key messaging, and calls to action. This helps you find gaps in the market and opportunities to differentiate your business.
2. Audience Persona Development: Define who you are trying to reach. Create a simple profile of your ideal customer, including their goals, common questions, and pain points. This ensures your website's design and language speak directly to the people you want to attract.
3. Initial Keyword Research: Brainstorm the terms your ideal customer would use on Google to find your products or services. This initial list will become the foundation of your SEO strategy and content plan.

Key Tools for Your Pre-Launch Phase

While your web designer will handle the technical build, understanding the tools involved helps you participate more effectively in the process. Using professional tools for planning ensures a smoother and more strategic project from the start.

• For Design and Prototyping: Your designer will likely create a visual mockup of your site before building it. Common tools for this are Figma and Adobe XD. These allow you to see and approve the layout, colours, and fonts, preventing costly changes later in the development process.
• For Keyword and Competitor Research: To inform your SEO strategy, professionals use platforms like Ahrefs or Semrush. For a free starting point, you can use Google Keyword Planner to discover relevant search terms for your content.
• For Project and Content Management: Organising your content and feedback can be managed with tools like Trello, Asana, or even a shared Google Docs folder. This keeps all communication and content drafts in one central place for you and your designer.

How to Plan Your Website's Core Content

Saying 'write your content' is easy, but knowing where to start is hard. The key is to first map out your website's structure, often called a sitemap. This is a simple list of all the pages you will need. Planning your pages first ensures your content is organised logically for both users and search engines. Most business websites require a core set of pages to effectively communicate their value.

• Homepage: This is your digital front door. It must immediately answer three questions: Who are you? What do you do? What should the visitor do next?
• About Us Page: This is your chance to tell your story, build trust, and connect with your audience on a human level.
• Services or Products Pages: Have one clear, detailed page for each primary service or product you offer. Focus on the benefits and solutions you provide, not just the features.
• Contact Page: Make it as easy as possible for potential customers to get in touch. Include a simple form, your business email, phone number, and physical address if applicable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Website Pre-Launch

Here are answers to common questions business owners have before they start building their website.

Do I need all my text and images ready before the design starts?

Ideally, yes. Providing final content allows the designer to create a layout that perfectly fits your messaging. Designing with placeholder text often leads to awkward formatting and significant revisions when the real content is added. At a minimum, have the content for your homepage and main service pages ready.

What is the difference between a domain name and web hosting?

Your domain name is your website's address on the internet (e.g., yourbusiness.com). Web hosting is the service that stores your website's files and makes them accessible online. You need both to have a live website. Think of the domain as the street address and hosting as the plot of land where your house (website) is built.

How much input do I have in the design process?

You should have significant input. The pre-launch phase is the time to provide your designer with examples of websites you like, your brand guidelines (logo, colours, fonts), and a clear brief on the look and feel you want to achieve. The process should be collaborative.