A Website Launch Checklist

The Big Picture Web Launch Checklist

By Beth Cole

Here’s a handy big picture website launch checklist to sum up the Website Launch Series that finished last week.

Check out the other post articles here….

1. Laying the Foundation;
2. Content;
3. Design;
4. Promotion.

Here’s the checklist:

Website Planning

1. Define website purpose
2. Define readers (users) in terms of a persona or personas
3. Clarity on primary action(s)
4. Domain name
5. Hosting

Website Function

1. Define technical requirements of the site, for example
   • Blog
   • Ecommerce
   • Forms
   • Polls
   • Member registrations
   • Private areas
   • Photo galleries
   • Event management

Website Content

1. Decide who will be the website manager
2. Create the sitemap
3. Research and choose keyword phrases
4. Create content for each page
5. Incorporate keyword phrases in page titles, page descriptions, page headings, and links
6. If blogging is part of your plan, create an editorial calendar or schedule for posting
7. Create or source video/photo/audio content
8. Choose optin list management tool

Website Design

1. Research industry trends
2. Create wireframe layout of content buckets
3. Choose color palette
4. Create home and subpage layout
5. Approval and signoff
6. Convert design to xhtml/css and/or cms framework
7. Test on development platform

Website Development

1. Add content and functionality to the site
2. Incorporate social marketing tools
3. Cross-browser testing
4. Train user on CMS tool, social marketing, email newsletter if applicable
5. Launch and support!

Have I overlooked anything important? Please do tell.