Launching a site is only part of the work. Here’s what actually needs to happen before and after your website goes live.
A Common Misunderstanding
A few years ago, I shared a homepage mockup with a client. The layout was clean, the colors looked good, and the branding was in place.
“Wow,” they said. “So we’re almost done?”
Not quite! From the outside, a website seems finished once it looks like a website. But the visual layer is just the frame. Behind the scenes, there’s a whole website launch checklist to go through before a site is truly ready to go live. At Anchored Web, we treat this as a complete professional web development process, not a design-only service. That’s especially important for clients who need reliable small business website support, not just a one-time build.
When we say a site is “done,” it means the infrastructure is in place. It has backups scheduled. It is monitored for uptime and errors. It includes all the technical tools to make it visible to search engines, fast for users, and easy to update over time.
A Website Isn’t Done Until It’s Ready for the Real World
At Anchored Web, we treat a website launch like a formal handoff. Every project is guided through a structured protocol that goes far beyond visual design. This internal process has been shaped over years of working with law enforcement agencies, nonprofits, manufacturers, and small businesses.
When we say a site is “done,” it means the infrastructure is in place. It has backups scheduled. It is monitored for uptime and errors. It includes all the technical tools to make it visible to search engines, fast for users, and easy to update over time.
It also means the system has been tested. Forms have been checked. Analytics are active. The site has been indexed. Your domain is secured.
The Website Launch Checklist We Use Behind the Scenes Before Launch
Most clients focus on what they can see, such as the homepage, the logo, or the menu. But here’s what happens before that site ever goes live:
- The domain is connected, and the CMS is fully configured
- SEO settings are applied, and the site is indexed with Google
- Security protocols, including SSL and reCAPTCHA, are active
- Backup systems are in place and tested
- Monitoring tools are set up to alert us if something breaks
- Performance is checked across devices and browsers
- The admin area is customized for the client’s use
- A full visual and technical audit is completed
These steps protect your investment. They ensure the site holds up after it leaves the development environment.
Launch Is Not the End
Once your site goes live, our work continues. You receive a post-launch email with next steps, a report on the status of the site, and an invitation to provide revision feedback. We offer a tool built into your website that allows you to click on any part of any page and leave a comment or request. These are received and tracked on our end, with updates documented and shared.
You also begin receiving monthly site reports. These include system updates, uptime history, and recommendations based on how your site is performing.
When you are ready to grow, whether through additional services, ad campaigns, or content development, we are already in place to support you.
Done Means Supported
The biggest myth in web development is that a finished site is a final product. A well-built website is not a brochure. It is a living part of your business that needs regular care through ongoing website maintenance, secure website hosting, and a website launch checklist to make sure your company goes live the right way.
If you want a website that is built for real-world use, backed by structure, and supported after launch, Anchored Web can help. Visit anchoredweb.com to learn more about our Website Design & Development services, or read how we’ve helped manufacturers grow through digital infrastructure and strategy in partnership with CMTC.
