Launching a new website is a major and often complex project. Many pieces need to fall into place at the same time, and the more people involved, the greater the risk of misunderstandings, delays, and important details slipping through the cracks. A web project is a bit like cooking dinner for a large group: you need a clear plan, the right ingredients, and someone making sure nothing gets burnt.
That’s why we’ve put together a practical checklist to guide you from the first brief all the way to launch. Perfect for marketing managers, project leads, or anyone responsible for a website — and for anyone who wants the launch to feel more like a well-prepared meal and less like improvised fast food.
Why a checklist?
A website project without structure is like cooking without a recipe. It might turn out fine — but the risk is much higher that something is missing, the timeline slips, or the end result isn’t what you envisioned.
A well-thought-out checklist will help you save time, money, and a lot of frustration. It makes it easier to:
- Ensure that nothing important is forgotten
- Get internal and external teams working towards the same goal
- Reduce the risk of delays and costly rework
- Achieve a better end result – faster
Checklist for a successful web launch
It’s time to create your digital mise en place: everything picked out, prepared and organized before the actual “cooking” begins. Here, we walk you through each step in the different phases towards a ready-to-serve website.
1. Preliminary work & brief
Sure, you can open the fridge, throw together some of what's there and hope for the best. But the result is almost always better when you know what you're going to cook, who your guests are, how long each step will take and who will do what. The same applies to web projects: the planning determines how the rest turns out.
The following should be in place before a web project really gets started. If you are missing one or more parts, we will be happy to help you get them in place.
- Clear goals: What should the website achieve – for business, not just features.
- Identified target groups: Who are we cooking for? What needs should be met?
- Roles and responsibilities: Who does what – internally and externally?
- Timetable and budget: Realistic and anchored.
- Technology choice: CMS and platform discussed and decided.
- Content managers appointed: It makes everything smoother later.
- Requirements specification / RFP: The project's shopping list: what is needed to make it successful?
- Agency/supplier briefed: A clear brief is always a recipe for success. And remember: some of the points above may be typical things to put in the brief – we are happy to lay the groundwork together with you.
2. Design & UX
Before you cook up the web, it's time to taste test the menu. The design and UX phase is about creating structure, flows and feel – and testing what works before you start cooking something for real. Here, it's golden to let more people taste – get help both internally and externally to make sure all the flows feel right.
Focus here:
- Approved sitemap: A clear menu of everything to be served.
- Reviewed wireframes: Structure, flows, and user journey.
- Design concept developed: Visual direction and tonality.
- Tested design in desktop & mobile: The web must last no matter where it is served.
- Accessibility (WCAG): Everyone should be able to use the web, regardless of their circumstances.
- Clear CTAs: Designed based on your goals.
3. Development & technology
Now it’s time to start cooking. In this step, the ingredients are finally transformed into a complete dish. All the planning and design are put into action – code is written, systems are connected, and everything starts to resemble a real website. A staging environment is essential here so everything can be tested before it reaches the guests.
Check out:
- Development environment ready: No kitchen – no food.
- CMS in place and configured: The foundation for smooth content work.
- Integrations started: CRM, e-commerce, APIs, etc.
- Basic SEO: Title tags, metadata, URL structure.
- Integrated analytics tools: Google Analytics 4, Tag Manager, etc.
- Accessibility implemented: Important for both users and regulations.
- Responsiveness ensured: The web should work everywhere.
4. Content & SEO
Perfect pots and an expensive stove won't help if the ingredients are bad. The content is what the user actually comes for – and it always takes longer than you think. Remember to allocate working hours for this step.
This should be clear before you proceed:
- New texts: Written, reviewed and published.
- Translations: If necessary.
- Optimized images: Size, format, alt texts.
- 301 redirects planned: So no old links lead to empty plates.
- SEO work done: Keywords, metadata, internal linking.
- Content tested on different devices: Clarity everywhere.
5. Testing & quality assurance
Before serving, someone has to taste it. The testing phase is about exactly that – ensuring that everything works, feels good, and is of high quality. Remember, don’t just test technology. Make sure that the entire user flow and conversions are working as they should.
This must be tested:
- Loading times: Nobody likes slow service.
- Mobile version: Must be as good as desktop.
- Forms & CTAs: Should work without friction.
- Error messages: Understandable and correct.
- 404 page: Does it exist? Does it work? Does it help the user further?
- Cookies & GDPR: Legally and technically correct.
- Security: SSL, firewalls, etc.
6. Launch & follow-up
Food in the door! Now it's showtime! The plates are going out, but the job is not over just because everything is on the table. You need to follow up and see what works and what can be improved. Your launch is simply the start of the optimization.
This should happen before and after launch:
- DNS redirected: Traffic must find its way.
- Backup of the old site: In case something goes wrong.
- Search Console updated: Google should know what's going on.
- Sitemap submitted: Helps Google index everything quickly.
- Plan for follow-up: Traffic, conversions, goals.
- Communication prepared: Internally and externally.
- Responsible persons appointed: For management and further development
How we work at Mild
We have completed thousands of web projects – from small companies to large organizations. Regardless of the industry, we know what it takes to launch in a way that feels safe, efficient and business-driving.
If you want to take a holistic approach to your next web project, we recommend that you also read Everything you need to know about a new web project , where we go through preparations, decisions, and common pitfalls in more depth.
And do you want help structuring, prioritizing, and driving the work all the way to launch? Get in touch and we'll help you get started.
