For SMEs, building a website involves multiple stages from design and development to final launch. Without a well-thought-out plan before going live, issues such as access failures, content errors, and search engine non-indexing can easily arise. Here's the core takeaway: the essence of a launch plan is phased inspection and validation to ensure the website is ready from technical, content, and operational perspectives. It is recommended to reserve at least 3-5 days before the official launch for testing and adjustments.
1. Technical Preparation: Domain, Server, and HTTPS
First, confirm that the domain resolution has taken effect. After resolution, it typically takes some time (from a few minutes to 24 hours) to propagate, so it's best to complete this in advance and test access. For the server, check that bandwidth is sufficient, disk space is adequate, and conduct stress testing. An HTTPS certificate must also be deployed beforehand, as modern browsers mark websites without SSL as 'Not Secure,' impacting user experience and trust.
2. Content Review: Pages and Copy
Before launch, review each page thoroughly:
- Ensure contact information, company introduction, and product/service descriptions are accurate.
- Check that images load properly and are free from copyright risks.
- Verify there are no typos, formatting is consistent, and layout is mobile-friendly.
- Confirm that necessary pages like legal disclaimers and privacy policies are complete.
If it's a website redesign, ensure old pages are properly 301 redirected to new URLs to avoid 404 errors.
3. Functionality Testing: Forms, Links, and Interactions
Test all interactive features:
- Can the contact form submit successfully and send to the designated email?
- Do online chat and messaging systems receive messages correctly?
- Are internal and external links valid, with no broken links?
- Is the search function working, and does multi-language switching function properly?
It's advisable to use browser developer tools to check the console for errors, ensuring no JavaScript issues affect functionality.
4. Basic SEO Setup: Titles, Descriptions, and Sitemap
Implementing basic SEO before launch helps search engines quickly discover and index your site:
- Set unique titles and descriptions for each page to avoid duplication.
- Generate an XML sitemap and submit it to Baidu and Google Search.
- Check the robots.txt file to ensure unwanted pages (e.g., test pages) are blocked from indexing.
- Keep URL structures simple, using pinyin or English keywords.
Note: Avoid keyword stuffing for SEO; write naturally.
5. Security and Backup
Perform a full backup before launch, including website files and the database. Also check:
- Are admin account passwords sufficiently complex?
- Are necessary security plugins installed or a WAF configured?
- Has a regular backup schedule been set up (recommended at least weekly)?
6. Post-Launch Follow-Up
Website launch is not the end but the beginning of operations:
- Closely monitor server logs and traffic statistics during the first week after launch.
- Address user feedback promptly.
- Gradually update content to keep the site active.
- Monitor search engine indexing and proactively submit new links if necessary.
In summary, the key for SMEs planning a website launch is 'test first, launch later, optimize continuously.' Following the steps above will help you avoid common issues and smoothly transition into the operational phase. If possible, consider having a third party or professional team conduct a comprehensive pre-launch audit for added assurance.
