We work hard and long to design, site map, and program and upload our client’s sites and now the day has come to go LIVE! We have our own in-house checklist for a website launch that we do before giving the client the royal tour but here are some things for you the listener to consider before launching your site. Let’s start with the lead-up. Most clients’ sit at home dreaming of the mad riches they are going to rack in with their fairy wand well they pay us to slave over the design and architect of their gold laden future. Put down the magic wand and stop dreaming. This is the time to start building content, and not just any content blow you out of the water content and loads of it. Moving on from the lead-up you have prepared a stack of content that you are now going to turn into stacks of cash. Do the following to go live.
Check one Check Two.
1.) All your provided content has been inserted and checked by our team but you should definitely read over your site. Check your spelling, check you tone of voice (grammar and copy) and don’t forget to check your details. By details I mean phone number, email and address. These are direct points of contact for sales; leads and communication make sure they are working. Test them send emails, call yourself.... Ok don't call yourself.
Legal Covered
2) If your selling something or promoting widgets you need to cover yourself legally. Make sure you have footer with your privacy statement and your terms and conditions. People look at this and make decisions on whether they will use your site to do business. If there is not one there you risk trouble. Please do not use the business next to yours and swap out the name. I have seen this go bad. It can be simple just needs to be there.
Functionality Testing
3) I'm 100% it looks awesome because we made it. But is it working? Mouse around. Click on everything. See if you can find a broken piece because then you get to announce your treasure find. The best part is if the function problem is caught before launch you save yourself those nasty emails from professional nerd clients and boy are they nerdy. Also my biggest help for those bloggers out there.
I’ve caught a couple clients posts because I do actually read most of what my clients do because I love their business. I feel as though I'm a part of them. But here is a great checklist before you post. http://www.jenniferslegg.com/2008/04/30/bloggers-checklist-before-publis... when you go live here are some great resources for other aspects of your web site you may have to consider.
SEO - Common sense checklist http://css-tricks.com/common-sense-seo-checklist/ Quick Usability Checklist http://www.uxbooth.com/blog/quick-usability-checklist/