Launching a website without an SEO check is how businesses lose rankings overnight. Use this checklist before you go live, whether the site is new or a redesign.
Before launch
- Plan your URLs. Use short, readable addresses. On WordPress, set permalinks to “Post name”.
- Map redirects. If you are replacing an existing site, redirect every old URL to its closest new page with a 301 redirect.
- Write unique titles and descriptions. Each page needs its own title tag and a meta description that earns the click.
- Use proper headings. One H1 per page, then H2 and H3 in a logical order.
- Optimise images. Compress files, use modern formats and add descriptive alt text.
- Check speed. Test mobile performance, enable caching and remove unused scripts. See our notes on site speed and conversions.
- Test on mobile. Check every template on real devices.
At launch
- Turn indexing on. Make sure “discourage search engines” is switched off and no stray noindex tags remain from staging.
- Submit your sitemap. Add it in Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.
- Set up analytics. Install tracking and define goals for forms, calls and purchases.
- Check HTTPS. Every page should load securely with no mixed-content warnings.
After launch
- Monitor and fix. Watch Search Console for crawl errors, broken links and drops in impressions during the first weeks, and fix issues quickly.
Do not forget the content plan
SEO continues after launch. Publish helpful articles, keep service pages up to date and earn links from relevant sites. If you want us to handle the technical side, see our SEO and development services or book a free audit.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take for a new site to appear on Google?
It can take from a few days to several weeks. Submitting a sitemap and having good internal links helps search engines find your pages.
What happens if I forget the redirects?
Old URLs return errors, you lose the rankings and links they had earned, and visitors land on broken pages.
Do I need an SEO plugin on WordPress?
It is recommended. A plugin makes titles, descriptions, sitemaps and schema easier to manage, though ErrorSol adds the essentials by default.
