Mastering Website Redesign Part 9: Launch the website!!

We made it to the final article in our mastering website redesign series! Dave Baldwin here from PlusCode Website Design and the final step is launching the new website. It's not just about making a new site live; it’s about ensuring that everything is set up to track performance, secure user data, and effectively announce the launch to maximize visibility. Here’s how we make sure every website launch is as smooth and successful as possible.

Step 1: Enable Google Analytics and Google Search Console

Before anything goes live, we make sure that Google Analytics and Google Search Console are set up. These tools are crucial for monitoring your website’s traffic and performance. Google Analytics provides insights into user behavior, traffic sources, and content engagement, while Google Search Console helps us monitor and maintain your site’s presence in Google Search results. This setup ensures we can start collecting data from day one, helping you make informed decisions moving forward.

Step 2: Secure Your Site with SSL and Backups

Security is a top priority, which is why we install an SSL certificate on all sites we launch. This not only protects your users' data but also improves your site’s SEO, as Google favors secure sites. In addition to SSL security, we set up regular backups. This means if anything goes awry, we can restore your site to its previous state without any fuss, keeping your online presence safe and sound.

Step 3: Announce Your Launch

The big day has come! Once your website is live, it's time to shout it from the rooftops. We recommend announcements across various channels to maximize reach. This includes updating your Google Business Profile to attract local searches, posting on social media to engage your followers, and sending out an announcement via email to inform your subscribers. Each of these steps helps to drum up excitement and direct traffic to your new site, ensuring a strong start.

Step 4: Post-Launch Retroactive Discussion

After the launch, we sit down to discuss what went well, what could have gone better, and how we can improve for next time. This retroactive meeting is vital for our continuous improvement. We evaluate every aspect of the redesign process, from technical features to communication effectiveness.

Launching a website is more than just flipping a switch. It's about setting up the right tools, securing the website, effectively announcing it, and learning from each launch to continually enhance the process. At PlusCode Website Design, we pride ourselves on not just delivering a product but ensuring it's set up for success from day one.

If you're thinking about redesigning your existing site, let's talk. We’d love to apply our expertise to help you achieve and exceed your digital goals. Thanks for reading through this series, and here’s to your success!

Cheers,
Dave