12 Essential Website Tests Before You Go Live

Launching a website is exciting, but before you hit “publish,” you need to make sure everything is working smoothly. Pre-launch tests help you ensure that your site is ready for real users and search engines. But knowing where to start can be tricky.

Here’s a simple checklist to help you test and optimise your website before it goes live.

1. Optimise On-Page SEO

On-page SEO helps your website rank higher in search engines without paying for ads. Here are some key strategies:

Create High-Quality Content: Use keyword research to write content that solves your customers’ problems. Tools like Semrush can help you find the right keywords.

Optimise Title Tags and Meta Descriptions: These are what users see on search result pages. Add keywords here to increase your chances of getting clicks.

Use SEO-Friendly URLs: Keep your URLs short and include relevant keywords. For example, instead of “website.com/page123”, use “website.com/SEO-tips”.

2. Test User Experience (UX)

Before you launch, test how easy it is for users to navigate and use your site.

Tree Testing: Ask users to find specific items on a text-only version of your site. This will help you create a logical structure for your site’s navigation.

Usability Testing: Have users who match your target audience perform tasks on your site and give feedback. Tools like Usertest Pro make this process easy.

3. Check for Accessibility

Make sure your site works for all users, including those with disabilities.

Ensure your site has alt text for images, video captions, and enough colour contrast for readability.

Use tools like Wave to run accessibility tests and improve where needed.

4. Set Up 301 Redirects

If you change any URLs while redesigning your site, set up 301 redirects. These make sure users and search engines are directed to the correct new pages instead of getting a "404 error."

5. Test on Desktop and Mobile

Your site should look good and function well on all devices. Google recommends a design that adjusts to different screen sizes. Make sure your site works properly on mobile, tablet, and desktop views.

6. Secure Your Site with HTTPS

HTTPS encrypts data between your site and users, protecting sensitive information. It’s also a ranking factor for Google. If your site isn’t secure, some browsers will even warn users that your site is unsafe. Make sure you have an SSL certificate to enable HTTPS.

7. Create a Sitemap

A sitemap helps search engines crawl and index your site. If your site is large, use tools like XML-Sitemaps.com to generate one automatically. Submit the sitemap to Google through Search Console to improve your site’s visibility.

8. Stress Test Your Site

Stress testing shows how well your site can handle high traffic. Tools like JMeter simulate heavy loads, helping you identify any performance issues before launch.

9. Optimise Images for SEO

Images are important for user experience but can slow down your site if not optimised.

Compress Images: Use tools like TinyPNG to reduce file sizes without losing quality.

Write Descriptive Alt Text: This helps search engines understand what your images are about.

Use Lazy Loading: This technique loads images as users scroll, speeding up initial page loads.

10. Review CTAs (Calls to Action)

Your CTAs should encourage users to take action, whether it’s making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.

Use Action Words: For example, “Shop Now” or “Download Free Guide”.

Create Urgency: Highlight limited-time offers to prompt quick decisions.

11. Set Up Analytics

Tools like Google Analytics track how users interact with your site. Set up analytics before launch to monitor performance from day one. If you’re redesigning an existing site, make sure the analytics are updated to track new URLs.

12. Build Anticipation for Your Launch

Let your audience know about upcoming changes. Send emails or create videos to explain new features. This way, users will know what to expect when the site goes live.