Here's the super effective pre-launch checklist we go through before publishing each new site.
General Setup
Set Custom Domain & SSL
Ensure your custom domain is correctly set up in Webflow and SSL is enabled for a secure connection.
Check Site Permissions
Review user access levels to ensure only authorized team members can make changes.
Enable Webflow Hosting
Ensure your project is hosted on Webflow’s paid plan to access full publishing capabilities.
Performance & Optimization
Enable Minification
Turn on CSS and JavaScript minification in Site Settings to improve page speed.
Optimize Images
Compress and properly size all images to reduce load time. Consider using WebP or AVIF format where possible. Should be done earlier in the project if possible.
Lazy Load Media
Enable lazy loading for images and videos to prevent unnecessary loading on initial page load.
Check Page Load Speed
Test the website’s speed using Google PageSpeed Insights and WebPageTest, then optimize accordingly.
SEO & Meta Settings
Set Page Titles & Meta Descriptions
Ensure each page has a clear, unique title and meta description optimized for SEO.
Check Open Graph (OG) Tags
Set up proper Open Graph images, titles, and descriptions for social media sharing.
Create & Submit a Sitemap
Generate your sitemap in Webflow and submit it to Google Search Console.
Check for Broken Links
Use a link checker to ensure there are no broken internal or external links.
Set Up 301 Redirects
If migrating from another site, set up 301 redirects for old URLs in Webflow’s settings.
Forms & Integrations
Test All Forms
Submit test forms to verify they are working and notifications are being received.
Check Email Notifications
Ensure form submission notifications are correctly set up and delivered to the right inbox.
Integrate Analytics & Tracking
Install Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or any other tracking scripts as needed.
Set Up SEO Schema Markup
If needed, add structured data (JSON-LD) for better search engine visibility.
Accessibility & UX
Check for Missing Alt Text
Ensure all images have relevant alt attributes for accessibility and SEO.
Test Navigation & User Flows
Go through the site as a user and ensure navigation is intuitive and links work properly.
Verify Mobile Responsiveness
Test across multiple devices to ensure mobile usability and fix any issues.
Check Keyboard Navigation
Ensure users can navigate through the site using only the keyboard.
Run an Accessibility Audit
Use tools like WebAIM or WAVE to check for WCAG compliance.
Final Testing & Launch
Check Across Browsers
Test in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge to confirm compatibility.
Verify Webflow Backups
Ensure the latest version of the site is backed up before launch.
Perform a Final Proofread
Check for typos, grammar errors, and placeholder content.
Publish & Monitor
Once live, monitor performance, SEO, and user behavior for any post-launch adjustments.
Get Started
Webflow Development
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