Pre-Launch Checklist

After providing a client training / handover session, here's a quick checklist for use when launching new websites. 

It's best to open an Incognito / Private browsing window to view the website as it would show to public visitors (helps catch items that are offline - which still show to logged-in admins). 

  • Check the client's account contact details are entered correctly (via Dashboard > Settings > My Account). 
  • Check the email address that contact forms are sending notifications to. By default, forms usually notify whatever is set as the account's contact email.
  • Ensure the account owner has admin access (Dashboard > Settings > Administrators).
  • Check mobile devices to ensure the layout and mobile menu function correctly. 
  • Check all links and phone numbers on at least the home page, contact page, and in the header and footer (better to do this in Incognito mode).
  • Double-check contact details shown in the footer, or on the contact page.
  • Check social media icons are linked to the correct pages. 
  • Run the link checker tool via Dashboard > Pages > Check Links.
  • Check the sitemap via www.website.com/sitemap, and hide any pages from sitemap that shouldn't be displaying. 
  • For Commerce clients, ensure the notification e-mail address is set (via Dashboard > Settings > Commerce > Invoicing). Run a test purchase via the online store. An easy way to do this, is to configure the bank transfer / direct deposit payment method. 

Additional Items:

  • Setup a favicon (more info here).
  • Set SEO keywords and descriptions on at least the home page.
  • Copy Google Tag Manager & FB Pixel from previous site. 
  • If they're moving from an old site, ensure Page Re-directors are setup from old addresses to new (Dashboard > Website > Pages > Re-directors). 
  • Check sizes of images and video for impact on load time and bandwidth / storage usage. The network tab of Google Chrome dev tools is a quick, easy way to check. Otherwise check out https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/
  • Clean up the colour palette by changing the background colour of a section (generating a design multiple times can cause this to become messy).

To Launch a Website:

Prior to pointing the domain name at Oncord, run the go-live wizard and follow the instructions: https://www.oncord.com/resources/learning/tutorials/settings-and-config/going-live/

It usually takes 1 to 3 hours for DNS to propagate, and for an SSL certificate to issue. 

If anything goes wrong, reach out to support inbox and we'll prioritize you: 
https://www.oncord.com/resources/support/

Afer Launch: 

Run a test submission of the contact form to check that enquiries reach the client's inbox.