Content accuracy

  • Business name, phone, address and hours are correct on every page they appear.
  • Services listed are ones you actually offer.
  • Prices, if shown, are current.
  • No placeholder text ("Lorem ipsum", "[Insert]") anywhere.
  • No invented reviews, awards or claims.
  • Legal pages (privacy, terms) exist and match what the site actually does.
  • Spelling of names, places and services checked.

Mobile and layout

  • Every page checked on a real phone, not just a resized desktop browser.
  • Text readable without zooming; no sideways scrolling.
  • Menu opens, closes and links work.
  • Images load and aren't stretched.
  • Nothing important hidden behind pop-ups or banners.
  • Every form submitted with test data; notifications arrive in the right inbox — not spam, not the developer's address.
  • Confirmation message appears after submitting.
  • Every tel: link dials the right number on iPhone and Android — see click-to-call done right.
  • Email links open with the right address.
  • Booking or payment links go to the right place.

Search and indexing

  • No leftover noindex from staging on live pages — Google's noindex documentation explains what it does.
  • robots.txt doesn't block the site.
  • Every page has a unique, descriptive title and meta description — see titles and descriptions.
  • One H1 per page.
  • Canonical tags point to the right URLs.
  • XML sitemap exists and lists live pages only.
  • For redesigns, redirects tested — see redesigning without losing SEO.
  • Demo, test or preview pages are noindexed or removed.

Technical

  • HTTPS works on all versions of the domain; http redirects to https.
  • No broken links (run a link checker).
  • Custom 404 page exists and helps people find their way.
  • Favicon shows.
  • Page speed checked on mobile — see Core Web Vitals.
  • Basic accessibility checks done — see accessibility basics.

Privacy and tracking

  • Analytics installed and recording.
  • Cookie or consent banner, if needed where you operate, works and matches what's actually loaded.
  • Privacy notice lists the tools that receive visitor data.

Launch day and the week after

  • Submit the sitemap in Search Console.
  • Update the website link on your Google Business Profile and social profiles if it changed.
  • Submit a real-looking test enquiry on launch day and the day after.
  • Check Search Console and analytics after a few days for errors.
  • Keep the old site's backup until you're sure nothing is missing.

The SEO starter guide from Google is a good reference for the search basics above.

Questions

Who should do launch QA?

Ideally someone other than the builder, plus the business owner for content accuracy. Fresh eyes catch what the builder has stopped seeing.

What if I find a problem after launch?

Fix critical issues — forms, phone numbers, indexing — immediately. Note smaller issues and fix them in a planned update.

Sources and further reading

Official documentation changes. Check the current version before you rely on a rule, limit or setting.

Next step

See a site built around your real details.

Look at sample layouts (fictional previews, not client work), read published website pricing, or ask for a free concept preview.

Get a website demoSee website pricing

Already happy with your site? Website Maintenance covers monitoring, a monthly form test, backups and edits.