What you Thought to Do Before Beginning Your Site Design

 

Whether this is often your first website that’s being built from scratch otherwise you do an internet site redesign, there are a couple of steps that you simply should take before hiring an internet designer or diving in yourself.

1. Analyze your previous website (if applicable).

In order to form good decisions, you want to first understand where you have been . That starts together with your existing website if you’ve got one. Ask yourself:
• What is that the purpose of a replacement design or overhaul?
• What haven’t hasn’t been accomplished with this existing site?
• How will a replacement design serve the new organization?
The answers to those questions can assist you identify your gaps, which may then inform goal setting for the new site.

2. Crawl your old site (if applicable) and document its structure.

You can get a thought of your site’s existing structure, pages, and assets by employing a crawling tool like Screaming Frog. this is often a necessary step in creating your website development plan because you will have a more concrete view of what pages existed before, what redirects are in situ , and what the meta data currently seems like .

3. Obtain benchmark data from your previous website (if applicable).

Not only will you would like to match how your new site performs compared to the old, but you’ll also want to continue identifying gaps which will provide data-driven insights to assist your new strategy.

4. Identify your goals for the new design, how you’ll achieve them, and the way you’ll measure success.
Once the gaps are fully full-clad , you’ll begin crafting your goals for the planning . you’ll come to conclusions such as:

• The current site is unwieldy, and that we need simple use.
• The current site not looks trendy, so we’d like a visible refresh.
• The current site doesn’t perform, so we’d like a more SEO-friendly structure with a far better UX.
Whatever your goals, you’ll be wanting to know exactly how a replacement site will assist you achieve them in order that you’ll craft its implementation accordingly.

5. Choose a Solid CMS.

If you’ve never launched a site before, the long list below might intimidate you. However, it actually shouldn’t take too long to run through most of the aspects on this list — especially if you built your website with a solid CMS.
A CMS, or content management system, often allows you to style an internet site from a pre-created template, optimize your content for SEO, and edit content after it’s published. If you’ve already built your website, you would possibly have already gained experience with employing a CMS.
But, if you are still building an internet site , a method to form browsing this checklist less time consuming is by building your pages on a CMS that already does tons of the work for you.
For example, HubSpot’s CMS that permits you to make and edit content including landing pages and blog posts. It’s features also allow you to arrange your content, schedule it, track analytics, and optimize it for SEO.
Alternatively, you’ll also test out CMS platforms like WordPress, Wix, or maybe Drupal.

6. Develop a uniform brand.

Decide on a uniform brand message and tone, one that you’re committed to presenting consistently across. this may cause you to look more legitimate, credible, and memorable.
1. Understand your value proposition.
2. Choose a mission statement, vision statement, and tagline that represents that value also as your brand identity.
3. Choose colors and fonts that convey that identity well.
4. choose the sort of images that you’re going to use to further convey your messaging.

7. Create your technical SEO strategy.

Take a while to make sure that your website has been given a solid foundation for SEO success. From site architecture and content hierarchy to metadata and XML sitemaps, don’t leave any stone unturned.
1. Perform keyword research and choose what you would like to rank for.
2. Create a content strategy that satisfies those keywords.
3. Understand how your existing pages (if applicable) are often adjusted and which pages will got to be created new.
4. find out which pages are not any longer necessary.
5. map where unnecessary pages are often redirected to (using a 301 redirect).

8. Strategize your conversion paths.

Once you’ve got an understanding of the first pages which will exist on your site, you will need to work out exactly what actions you would like users to require and the way you’ll capture their information. This includes thinking through:
• What premium top-of-the-funnel offers are needed
• What bottom-of-the-funnel action are going to be presented on main pages
• What forms got to be created
• What landing pages and many thanks pages got to be created
• How conversions are going to be tracked
• What actions will happen after an internet site visitor converts (email responder, etc.)

9. found out analytics software.

1. Choose which analytics platforms you’ll be using on the new site.
2. Decide if any previous Analytics tracking scripts are going to be used or if new accounts/scripts are needed.
3. found out new accounts (if applicable).

What to see Once You’ve Built Your Site

Once you’ve chosen a CMS and built a site that you’re able to launch, here’s an inventory of 80 things to see before, during, and after going live. be happy to repeat , edit, and make your own supported the software you’re using to launch and host your website.
Don’t have time to see all 80? Here’s an inventory of the foremost important highlights from each section:

Website Launch Checklist

1. confirm text is accurate and error free.
2. Replace all placeholder images with final images and styles .
3. Ensure copy aligns with the new brand.
4. make sure all styling preferences are implemented.
5. Ensure your design is aesthetically pleasing.
6. make sure that rights to pictures , fonts, and other content are properly licensed or cited.
7. Test the location for User Experience (UX).
8. make sure the conversion paths are implemented properly.
9. Create your site backup strategy.
10. Store passwords and credentials during a secure place.
11. Audit the technical SEO implementation for errors.
12. Test the location for user experience again.
13. Test your conversion path’s functionality.
14. make sure integrations with third-party tools are running smoothly.
15. Make a replica of the ultimate website for backup purposes.
16. make sure that backups are running properly.
17. confirm your site is secure.
18. suits all applicable laws.
19. Crawl the location to make sure no errors happened on launch.
20. Check the technical SEO components for errors.
21. Optimize your metadata.
22. found out analytics.
23. Build anticipation with teasers before the location is live.
24. Create a social media strategy for the announcement.
25. Identify exciting ways to market engagement for the new site.
26. Send an email to your existing database.
27. still promote the launch for a month.

We’ve grouped items supported pre-launch and post-launch, ensuring to the touch on page content, design, functionality, SEO, branding, analytics, security, and compliance. keep it up reading to form sure you do not forget a thing before your next launch.

Website Pre-Launch Checklist

Before you launch, it is vital to review all of the content on your website with a fine-tooth comb. Of course, meaning page content, but do not forget about your premium content too. From data-driven content and downloadable documents to rich media like videos and pictures , you would like to form sure everything is in situ , working properly, and searching beautiful.

1. confirm text is accurate and error free.

• Site content has been proofread for spelling and grammar.
• Company contact details are accurate throughout the web site .
• Generic content, like lorem ipsum, has been properly removed and replaced.
• All premium content, like case studies, ebooks, and whitepapers, are proofread. Spelling and grammar are correct.
• Copyright date (perhaps within the footer) includes the present year.

2. Replace all placeholder images with final images and styles .

On occasion, an internet site designer may use a placeholder image if they did not have the right asset at the time of the page’s creation. It’s up to you to form sure each page is picture-perfect.

3. Ensure copy aligns with the new brand.

• The text has been copy-edited to make sure consistent brand voice and elegance .
• All company taglines and mission statements are up so far .

4. make sure all styling preferences are implemented.

• Paragraphs, headers, lists, and other formatting are correct.
• Brand colors are implemented correctly, including link and button colors.

5. Ensure your design is aesthetically pleasing.

• Scripts are optimized across sites .
• Images are optimized across sites .
• CSS is optimized across sites .

6. make sure that rights to pictures , fonts, and other content are properly licensed or cited.

Even if you outsourced the planning to an internet designer/developer, the responsibility falls on you to make sure there are not any copyright licensing issues. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself with a hefty infringement settlement on your hands.

7. Test the location for User Experience (UX).

• Website pages are compatible across browsers.
• Website pages are compatible across devices.
• Images, videos, and audio files are within the correct places, formatted and dealing on all devices.
• All premium content, like case studies, ebooks, and whitepapers, are stored in their proper libraries/databases and work properly.
• Internal links across sites are working properly.
• Social media share icons are related to the right accounts.
• Company logo is linked to the homepage.

8. make sure the conversion paths are implemented properly.

• All necessary forms are present.
• Landing pages and many thanks pages are implemented.
• The correct buttons and calls-to-action (CTAs) are present within the proper locations.
• Everything is linked together appropriately.

9. Create your site backup strategy.

You can prevent loss of knowledge and protect against malware and other damages by properly fixing site security and regular backups. Check that:
• Backup schedule has been created.
• Backup location has been identified.
• A plan for implementation is about to be put in motion after launch.

10. Store passwords and credentials during a secure place.

Many individuals have likely been involved within the website launch up until now , so make sure that passwords are reset when the time comes and proper password etiquette is followed.

11. Audit the technical SEO implementation for errors.

• Pages have unique page titles.
• Pages have unique meta descriptions.
• Each page features a specific purpose, and pages meant to rank organically are optimized around one keyword or set of keywords.
Website Post-Launch Checklist
Let’s say you’ve done it. The button has been pushed, the domain is pointing to the new site, and you’re about able to tell the planet …
But wait only one second because you continue to have things to see for now that your site is officially live.

12. Test the location for user experience again.

Just just in case there was a problem with the implementation, you’ll be wanting to make sure the experience is according to what you reviewed before it went live.
• Ensure your design is rendering as you expected it to across browsers.
• Ensure your design is rendering as you expected it to across devices.
• Ensure CSS/HTML is correctly validated.
• CSS styling is rendering properly.
• Favicon is in situ and rendering properly.
• Internal links across sites are working properly.
• External links across sites are working properly, and open during a new tab.
• Social media share icons are working properly.
• Feeds are working properly (RSS, news, social media).
• Company logo is linked to the homepage.
• 404 Redirect pages are in situ (page-not-found.aspx).

13. Test your conversion path’s functionality.

Take a while to check and validate all of the various features on your website. Lead generation forms, CRM integration, and the other technology should work flawlessly across your website.
• Forms are submitting data properly.
• Thank you message or page displays after form is submitted.
• Form data is being emailed to a recipient and/or stored during a company database.
• Auto-responders are working properly (if applicable).

14. make sure integrations with third-party tools are running smoothly.

Integrations like your CRM, e-commerce software, and/or marketing platform link to your site and assist you run your business. If there’s a possible issue which will cause data loss, you do not want to seek out out way after the very fact .

15. Make a replica of the ultimate website for backup purposes.

Now that everything is in situ and finalized, you would like to possess a pristine copy of it do you have to experience data corruption or loss.

16. make sure that backups are running properly.

Now is the time to see the implementation of your backup strategy. make sure ongoing copies of the web site are being created and stored on a daily basis.
16. confirm your site is secure.
• 24/7 monitoring scripts are installed.
• There’s an idea in situ for updating plugins (if applicable).
• Ensure that each one applicable parties are conscious of your organization’s password etiquette policies.

17. suits all applicable laws.

Make sure your website complies with any applicable laws and regulations. Internet law are often sticky, and every industry has its own set of rules to follow. So it is best to consult your legal counsel to form sure you are not missing anything — this post isn’t legal guidance. Here are a couple of you would possibly got to know about:
• Web pages offer accessibility for users with disabilities (WAI-ARIA).
• Web pages announce if the web site uses cookies (required in some countries).
• Website is compliant with usage rights for purchased or borrowed code, images, and fonts.
• Terms and privacy policies are visible to website visitors.
• Website is PCI compliant (if you’re storing and processing credit cards).

18. Crawl the location to make sure no errors happened on launch.

Compare the crawl to the previous crawl and see if you discover any inconsistencies that weren’t intentional. You’ll also want to make sure that each one pages have the right program indexing settings.
18. Check the technical SEO components for errors.
• Page titles, meta descriptions, and URLs are all present and match the first technical SEO strategy.
• Load time for site pages is optimized.
• A dynamic XML sitemap has been created.
• The XML sitemap has been submitted to look engines.
• Page URLs consistently reflect site information architecture.
• 301 redirects are in situ for all old URLs (redirecting old to new pages).
• rel=”nofollow” tags are in situ on applicable links and pages.

19. Optimize your metadata.

• Metadata is correctly in situ for any content in an RSS feed.
• Metadata is correctly in situ for any social media sharing content.
• Spelling and grammar are correct altogether metadata.
• Alt tags are added to each image.

20. found out analytics.

Make sure your website is about up to capture web data and analytics. This valuable information will allow you to repeatedly improve your website going forward, so you do not want to forget these things .
• Your website analytics codes and tracking scripts are inserted on website.
• Relevant IP addresses are excluded from analytics tracking.
• Funnels and goals are properly created in your analytics software (if applicable).
• Google Webmaster and Google Analytics accounts are properly synced.
• Google Ads accounts are properly synced (if applicable).
How does one Announce a replacement Website Launch?
This (hopefully) wasn’t an arrogance project; you probably did all of this work thus far for the advantage of your website visitors, prospects, and existing customers. Your next step is to inform the planet about your new site design. Here’s how:
21. Build anticipation with teasers before the location is live.
A launch of a replacement product, a launch of a replacement movie, and — yes — a replacement site launch all require marketing before the particular release. consider the last movie you watched within the theater. Did you see the trailer before you made the decision to shop for those movie tickets and popcorn?
Teasers for your website launch can only help to create anticipation and obtain users wondering what the new experience are going to be like. this will build buzz and interest once you finally break the news.

22. Create a social media strategy for the announcement.

Decide what channels you would like to market the news on, how you’ll make the announcement, and the way long the promotion will last. As you craft your messaging, remember to specialise in new features and the way they benefit your audience.
23. Identify exciting ways to market engagement for the new site.
For users who aren’t as involved in your brand, a replacement site launch won’t appear to be an enormous deal. Your goal, then, is to form it one. Provide an exclusive offer for the primary users who visit the location . Or, create a contest that promotes engaging with the site’s new features. Whatever you select , confirm you create it fun and interesting.

24. Send an email to your existing database.

You may want to offer existing leads and customers a head’s up about the new design, especially if it’ll cause any confusion once they next visit. you’ll break the news as a matter of courtesy but also sneak in ways to underscore the worth you’re providing.

25. still promote the launch for a month.

Just because you post about your new website once on social media doesn’t mean that your audience will drop everything to go to the location in droves. Make your launch an enormous deal, and keep the new functionality top of mind in order that your audience is prompted multiple times to see it out.

Resources for Launching Your First Website

Launching a replacement website are often a tedious task, but you’ll alleviate a number of the strain by using this comprehensive website launch checklist.
If you’re just getting started on your first website, here are a couple of tools which will assist you streamline your process

• CMS: As mentioned above, a CMS can assist you design your website, optimize and publish content, and track your analytics once it’s launched. If you are looking to check out a couple of CMS options, start by finding out our 14-day free CMS trial.

• Blogging Guides: If you’re curious about using your website to publish a blog that would assist you boost brand awareness, it are often helpful to start out brainstorming topics. Here’s an excellent guide to the way to be a far better blogger with tips from our team.

• Landing Page Templates: A landing page may be a good way to spotlight a product or resource that your brand is offering. it is vital to understand what elements cause a landing page which will convert. Here’s a guide with examples. Additionally, when employing a CMS like HubSpot’s, you’ll create landing pages from pre-designed templates.