Website Launch Checklist: What to Double Check Before You Go Live
A Squarespace Website Guide for DIYers & Small Business Owners (2025 Edition)
Launching your website is an exciting milestone—but before you hit publish, make sure it’s actually ready to go live.
In 2025, a polished, professional, and optimized website can help you convert visitors into clients faster—but only if you've checked the right boxes first.
Whether you're launching one of my Squarespace templates you customized for your business, or you're finalizing a website from scratch before sharing it with the world, this blog post walks you through the essential steps before launch day. I’ve created a Website Launch Kit for an expanded version of the steps, top tips, and resources that will make sure everything’s in place for a smooth, successful launch!
👉 Want to launch faster? My Squarespace Templates are designed specifically for service-based businesses and beauty, wellness, and creative entrepreneurs who want a quick, stylish launch without skipping strategy.
1. Technical Checks: Make Sure Everything Works
These behind-the-scenes details create a seamless user experience—and help avoid that cringe moment when something doesn't load properly.
Technical Checklist:
Click every link and button—no 404s or broken links: Broken links can frustrate users and hurt SEO. Click through every button, menu item, and hyperlink to make sure everything works!
Set your favicon (Settings > Website Icon): That tiny icon in the browser tab helps with brand recognition and polish—don’t forget to add it!
Add a customized 404 page (make it helpful + on-brand): A custom 404 page keeps users engaged if they hit a dead link. Include a helpful message and a way to get back to the homepage or menu.
Test your site on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices: Your site should look polished and function flawlessly across all screen sizes—most users browse on mobile, and a bad mobile experience can cost you clicks, trust, and conversions.
Remove all demo content or placeholder text: Leaving in generic filler like “Lorem ipsum” or template copy can make your site look unprofessional and unfinished—removing it ensures your content feels intentional and trustworthy.
Enable SSL (Settings > Developer Tools > SSL) to make sure your site is secure: Enabling SSL encrypts the connection between your website and its visitors, protecting sensitive information like form submissions and payment details. On Squarespace, turning on SSL not only boosts trust and credibility (your site will display as "secure" with a padlock icon) but also improves your SEO—Google prioritizes secure sites in search results. It’s a must-do before going live.
Check load speed with PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix: Your website’s load speed directly impacts user experience and SEO. If your site takes too long to load, visitors are more likely to leave before it even finishes rendering—especially on mobile. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix help you identify slow-loading images, scripts, or design elements so you can fix them before launch.
2. Content Checks: Keep It Clear & Conversion-Focused
Your words matter. Every sentence should help your visitor feel confident and ready to take action.
Content Checklist:
Proofread all copy—no typos, awkward phrasing, or filler: Grammar, typos, and clarity all impact how professional your site feels. Fresh eyes or tools like Grammarly are your best friends here. You can also make your website Password Protected (Settings > Website > Password Protected) and send it to trusted friends or people in your similar industry to check for any mistakes!
Use clear, actionable Calls-to-Action on every page: Make sure every page has a strong call-to-action (Book Now, Get Started, Inquire Here) so visitors know exactly what to do next.
Keep paragraphs short and scan-friendly: Use headers, bullet points, and short paragraphs to improve readability and guide your reader’s journey.
Make sure your homepage clearly explains who you help + what you do: You only have a few seconds to capture a visitor’s attention—and a confusing homepage can cause people to click away fast. Your hero section should immediately communicate your business identity, target audience, and core offer or transformation.
Add consistent page headers and intro blurbs: Consistent headers and introductory blurbs help guide visitors through your website by clearly defining the purpose of each page and setting expectations. Not only do they create a more professional and polished look, but they also improve user experience and SEO. Plus, Google scans these headings to better understand your site content and rank it appropriately.
Double-check your footer details (social links, email, quick links, copyright): Your email, phone number, and social links should all be accurate and easy to find—especially in the footer or contact page.
Double-Check Contact Info & Links: Your email, phone number, and social links should all be accurate and easy to find—especially in the footer or contact page.
3. SEO Essentials: Help People Find You
Search engine visibility starts before launch. Make sure your content is optimized from the start.
SEO Checklist:
Add a unique Page Title + Meta Description for each page: These appear in search results and impact both ranking and click-throughs. Make each one clear and keyword-rich.
Use keyword-rich headings (H1–H3) to structure content: Search engines like Google use headings (especially your H1 and H2 tags) to understand the structure and topic of your page. When you include relevant keywords in your headings, you’re signaling exactly what your content is about, helping your site show up in relevant search results.
Add alt text for all images: Alt text boosts SEO and ensures your site is accessible to all users, including those using screen readers.
Optimize URLs for clarity (ex: /services not /page-123): Customize page URLs to reflect your content (ex: /about or /services instead of /page-3). Clear, descriptive URLs help search engines understand what each page is about, which can improve your rankings for relevant keywords. Clean URLs like /services also look more professional, build trust with users, and are more likely to be clicked and shared.
Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console: Let Google know your site exists and track how it performs over time—an SEO must-do! How to do this on Squarespace:
Log in to Google Search Console.
Add your website property if you haven’t already.
Once verified, go to the “Sitemaps” tab in the left sidebar.
Enter: sitemap.xml in the field (your full sitemap URL will be https://yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml).
Click Submit.
Use built-in Squarespace SEO features (Settings > Marketing > SEO Appearance)
4. Marketing Prep: Set Yourself Up for a Strong Launch
A strategic launch plan ensures your audience actually sees the amazing site you’ve built.
Marketing Checklist:
Add an opt-in form or freebie to grow your email list: A great first impression includes giving visitors a reason to stay connected. Add a freebie, guide, or special offer opt-in.
Connect your email platform (like Kit, Flodesk, or Mailchimp): Whether it’s Kit, Flodesk, Mailchimp, or ConvertKit—make sure your forms integrate smoothly with your platform.
Set up a custom “Thank You” page after opt-ins: A custom “Thank You” page confirms that the form was submitted successfully and gives you an opportunity to guide your new subscriber’s next step—whether that’s downloading a freebie, following you on social media, or exploring your services. It also improves user experience and can help track conversions in Google Analytics or Facebook Pixel.
Design launch graphics for Instagram, Pinterest, and stories: Use Canva or another design tool to create branded graphics for Instagram, Pinterest, and your email list.
Write and schedule a launch email to your list: Let your audience know you're live! Build hype and drive traffic by planning a mini launch campaign via email and social.
Create a Link in Bio (or purchase it as an add-on with one of our templates!) to drive social traffic: A well-designed Link in Bio page acts as a powerful gateway between your social media profiles and your website, making it easy for followers to find your key content, offers, and contact info all in one place. This helps maximize the traffic you get from platforms like Instagram or TikTok and turns casual browsers into engaged visitors or leads.
Add UTM links or tracking to your launch campaign URLs: UTM (Urchin Tracking Module) links are special URLs with added tracking parameters that help you see exactly where your website traffic is coming from in tools like Google Analytics. Using UTMs during your launch lets you measure which marketing efforts—like emails, social posts, or ads—are driving the most visitors and conversions, so you can optimize your strategy for better results.
5. Post-Launch Plan: Stay Proactive After You Hit “Publish”
Your launch isn’t the finish line—it’s the beginning. Keep your site working for you long-term.
Post-Launch Checklist:
Connect and test Google Analytics 4: Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is the latest version of Google’s web analytics platform. Unlike the previous Universal Analytics, GA4 focuses on tracking user behavior across websites and apps in a more unified and privacy-conscious way. Track page views, traffic sources, and user behavior to improve your strategy and content long-term.
Track indexing + search performance Google Search Console: Tracking indexing and search performance with Google Search Console is crucial because it shows how Google views your website, what pages are indexed, and how your site ranks in search results. This data helps you identify any crawling issues, optimize your content based on actual search queries, and monitor your site’s visibility—ensuring your website is discoverable by the right audience and continuously improving your SEO efforts.
Schedule monthly check-ins to update content and links: Set reminders for updates - refresh content, check links, and review analytics for opportunities to improve.
Track contact form submissions + conversions: Whether it’s HoneyBook, Calendly, or a contact form—make sure you’re ready to handle new inquiries professionally and automatically.
Add fresh content regularly (like testimonials, blogs, or new offers): Adding fresh content regularly signals to search engines that your website is active and relevant, which can improve your rankings and attract more visitors. Plus, new testimonials, blog posts, or offers keep your audience engaged and encourage repeat visits, helping to build trust and grow your business.
Back up your site content: Copy all written content, important images, and your page structure into a doc or cloud folder. Better safe than sorry!
Ask 2–3 friends or clients to test your site and give feedback: This helps you catch usability issues, confusing navigation, or unclear messaging that you might have missed. Their fresh perspective ensures your site is user-friendly, professional, and effectively communicates your value before going live.
6. Bonus: Optimization & Compliance Essentials for 2025
These extra steps elevate your site from good → great, and help you meet evolving web standards.
2025 Optimization Checklist:
Check mobile responsiveness on various screen sizes: In 2025, with mobile traffic dominating internet usage, ensuring your website looks and functions perfectly across all screen sizes is crucial for providing a seamless user experience. Mobile responsiveness not only keeps visitors engaged but also boosts your Google rankings, as search engines prioritize mobile-friendly sites.
Compress large images (under 500KB ideal): Compressing large images to under 500KB is essential for faster page load times, which improves user experience and reduces bounce rates. Optimized images also help your site rank higher in search engines, as speed is a key factor in SEO algorithms and mobile performance.
Include accessibility basics: alt text, good contrast, and clear font sizes.
Add a Cookie Banner + Privacy Policy (especially if collecting email data): Adding a Cookie Banner and Privacy Policy ensures your website complies with data protection laws like GDPR and CCPA, informing visitors about how their data is collected and used. This builds trust with your audience and protects your business from legal issues, especially when collecting email addresses or other personal information.
Optimize buttons + links for touch (larger tap area on mobile): Optimizing buttons and links for touch by making tap areas larger improves the user experience on mobile devices, reducing frustration and accidental clicks. This helps visitors navigate your site smoothly, keeping them engaged and increasing the chances they’ll take desired actions like booking or purchasing.
Use Squarespace’s built-in image lazy loading and Core Web Vitals improvements: On Squarespace, lazy loading is a built-in feature that delays loading images until they’re about to enter the visitor’s viewport (screen), which helps your site load faster and improves performance metrics like Core Web Vitals—Google’s measures of user experience (loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability).
You don’t have to manually enable lazy loading in Squarespace; it’s automatically applied to images by the platform. To optimize these features further:
Use appropriately sized images.
Choose templates built on Squarespace 7.1 with Fluid Engine, which offer enhanced performance and Core Web Vitals improvements.
To check your site’s Core Web Vitals and lazy loading effect, use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights.
Grab Your Website Launch Kit
Want this entire checklist in a printable format you can refer back to as you complete each step?
Purchase the PDF Launch Kit here 👇
🚀 Ready to Launch Even Faster?
If you want to save weeks of time and skip tech overwhelm, check out my done-for-you Squarespace Templates. Each one includes:
✨ Industry-specific page layouts
✨ Strategic design with room to grow
✨ Built-in mobile formatting + SEO basics
✨ Optional Link In Bio Add-Ons
Whether you’re a makeup artist, service provider, or creative entrepreneur—these templates are made to help you launch fast and look amazing from day one.
Start building your dream site today → Browse Templates
Final Thoughts
Your website isn’t just a place for people to learn about your business—it’s your digital home base. By walking through this list before launching, you’re making sure your online presence is strategic, polished, and ready to convert.
Choose your template with the Website Launch Kit as an add-on. And make this the launch that truly works for you.
You’ve got this 💻🌿
