Launch Checklists: Tech, SEO, and Comms

Launching something new — a website, app, or product — is exciting! But it can also feel overwhelming. There’s so much to check. From tech to SEO to communications, everything needs to be perfect before you go live.

Don’t worry! We’ve got your back. Here’s a fun and simple checklist to help you make sure everything is ready. Whether you’re launching solo or with a team, this guide is your new best friend.

1. Tech Checklist: Make It Work!

Your product has to work flawlessly. People love smooth experiences. No one wants a buggy site or crashing app. Here’s what to check:

• Links: Click all links. Yes, all of them. Make sure they go where they should.
• Forms: Contact forms, sign-up boxes, search — test every field. Fill them out like a user would.
• Speed: Does your site load fast? Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights.
• Mobile Friendliness: Open it on different phones and tablets. Touch, swipe, scroll — it should all feel smooth.
• Browser Testing: Try Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge. Older browsers too, if your audience uses them.
• Error Pages: Make sure your 404 page is working (and a little fun maybe?).
• Security: Use HTTPS. Set up SSL certificates. Check firewall and plugins.
• Backups: Always have a backup of your site and database. Always. Did we say always?

2. SEO Checklist: Get Found Online

SEO can feel like wizardry. But it’s really just making your site easy to find and understand — by both people and search engines.

• Keywords: Choose words people type in search bars. Sprinkle them naturally in your text.
• Title Tags: Each page should have a unique, catchy title. Keep it under 60 characters.
• Meta Descriptions: Write a short description for each page. Around 155 characters. Make it click-worthy!
• H1 Tags: Use one clear, relevant H1 tag per page.
• Alt Text: Write descriptions for images. Good for SEO and accessibility.
• URLs: Keep links short, meaningful, and include keywords.
• Sitemaps: Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console. It’s like handing them a map.
• No Broken Links: Use tools like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs to catch dead links.
• Robots.txt: Make sure it tells search engines what to crawl — and not to crawl.
• Mobile & Speed: Remember, Google cares a lot about how your site performs on phones.

Pro Tip: Install SEO plugins like Yoast (for WordPress) or checklists like this one to stay on top.

3. Comms Checklist: Tell the World

You’re about to launch. But does your audience know? Do friends, fans, customers, and followers have a heads-up?

Here’s what to do:

• Launch Plan: Outline when and where your messages go. Pick dates and channels.
• Press Kit: Create a simple kit: short bio, high-res logo, product screenshots, and one-liner.
• Blog Post: Write a blog that shares your story. What are you launching? Why now?
• Email List: Draft a launch email. Short, exciting, and with a big call-to-action button!
• Social Media: Create posts for every platform. Add hashtags, visuals, and energy!
• Launch Video: People love video. Even a 30-second clip can get attention.
• Influencer Prep: Let your biggest fans or influencers know beforehand. They can help spread the word.
• FAQ Page: Think of what people might ask — and answer those questions in one place.
• Support Ready: Have your customer support (or chatbot) ready for questions and feedback.
• Celebrate: Don’t forget to plan some celebration posts for launch day! 🎉

Bonus: Schedule your posts with tools like Buffer or Hootsuite so you’re not scrambling on the big day.

4. Final Walkthrough: The Fusion Zone

You’re close to launch. Time for a final mash-up of tech, SEO, and comms. This is your all-in-one demo run.

Try this:

1. Pretend You’re a User: Visit your site or product like someone who knows nothing about it.
2. Perform Actions: Sign up, click links, submit forms, watch videos.
3. Check Metrics: Make sure analytics are tracking important events.
4. Review Content: Look for missing things — dates, names, typos, or filler text (no more “Lorem Ipsum”!).
5. Spell Check: Run a quick grammar check just in case.

Pro Tip: Ask a friend or a team member to run through it too. Fresh eyes catch things you won’t.

5. Post-Launch Plans: What’s Next?

Okay — you’ve launched. But the journey doesn’t end here!

• Monitor Feedback: Watch social media, email, and chats. People will share bugs and love.
• Fix Fast: Prioritize post-launch bugs. Quick responses win fans.
• Check Analytics: Where’s traffic coming from? Which CTA is working? Which isn’t?
• Send a Follow-up: Share what went well and what’s coming next with your audience.
• Gather Reviews: Ask happy users for testimonials. They boost credibility.
• Plan Updates: Create a simple roadmap for new features or improvements based on feedback.

Bonus Idea: Write a “Behind the Scenes” blog post. People love origin stories!

Remember: Done Is Better Than Perfect

Launching is hard work, but it’s also magical. Don’t aim for perfect. Aim for progress.

With this checklist, you’re ahead of the game. And don’t worry — you can always tweak, fix, and improve after you launch. Many great products started out small and scrappy.

So take a breath. Double check the list. Then hit that launch button with pride!

Go launch your thing. The world is waiting. 🎉🚀