6 essential steps to successfully launch your new website
Launching a new website is a big moment for any business. Whether you’re revamping an outdated site or going live for the first time, you want it to make the right impact from day one.
A successful launch isn’t just about pushing a button - it’s about careful planning, smart marketing, and making sure everything runs smoothly.
In this article, I share 6 essential steps to successfully launch your new website... The right way!
1. Nail your website design and functionality
Just like in real life, first impressions matter - a lot, therefore the first step to successfully launching your new website is to make sure it reflects your visual brand identity, engages visitors, and is a breeze to navigate.
Before launching, check that:
Your branding, colour palette, and typography are consistent.
Navigation is intuitive, so visitors can easily find what they need.
The site is fully responsive and looks great on mobiles and tablets.
Page load speed is optimised because no one likes (or has time for) a slow website.
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2. Test everything (and then test it again!)
A smooth launch depends on rigorous testing. The second tip to successfully launch your new website, is to ensure you check the following before going live::
Links and buttons work properly - broken links are a big no-no.
Forms and contact details function as they should (test them yourself!).
Your site is browser-friendly - check it in Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge.
The mobile experience is top-notch - more than half of web traffic comes from mobile devices so this is super important!
Free tools you can use to check links and buttons:
Broken Link Checker – Simple and easy-to-use tool that scans websites for broken links.
Dead Link Checker – Offers a quick site scan and ongoing monitoring options.
3. Get your SEO sorted from day one
A stunning website is pointless if no one can find it. The third tip to successfully launch your new website is related to SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and more so AI Optimisation (more on this in another post coming soon!) is key to getting your site found.
Although this can be daunting if you don’t know where to start, it’s important to:
Do keyword research to find out what your audience is searching for.
Optimise meta titles, descriptions, and headers with relevant keywords.
Use alt text on images to improve accessibility and SEO.
Ensure your website structure is search-friendly, with clear page hierarchy and internal linking.
All KSD websites are designed and built with basic SEO and AI optimisation. It’s just part of the job! If you need help in this area, feel free to get in touch and let me know.
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4. Set up website tracking and analytics
Understanding visitor behaviour helps you refine and improve your website over time. Therefore before launching, you should ensure the following are actioned (especially the first two!):
Install Google Analytics to track traffic, engagement, and conversions.
Set up Google Search Console to monitor search performance and fix any indexing issues.
Enable heat mapping tools like Hotjar to see how visitors interact with your site.
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5. Shout about your new website!
You’ve put in the work, now let people know about it. Build excitement and drive traffic by:
Announcing it on social media - share teaser posts, behind-the-scenes content, and a big launch announcement.
Emailing your audience - let clients and subscribers know what’s new and why they should check it out.
Updating business listings - make sure platforms like Google My Business have your latest URL.
Leveraging content marketing - blog posts, case studies, and guides can help bring in visitors.
For every project that leaves the KSD desk, we create a “mini marketing plan” including graphics to help to support the hard work and effort that’s gone into the new website. This helps to ensure the website is launched successfully.
6. Keep an eye on performance and tweak as needed
Your website launch isn’t the end of the journey - it’s just the beginning! Once it’s live:
Keep tabs on website performance metrics to spot areas for improvement.
Fix any broken links, refresh content, and stay on top of technical updates.
Gather user feedback and tweak the design or functionality as needed.
Continuously optimise pages based on SEO and conversion insights.
Final thoughts
A successful website launch isn’t just about switching it on - it’s about making an impact. I hope you found the steps in this article helpful to help you to create a strong online presence, attract the right audience, and turn visitors into customers.
Need expert help with launching a high-performing, SEO-friendly website? Take a look at what your fantastic clients say about the projects we’ve launched or get in touch!
