# New Website SEO Launch Checklist Launching a new website? This checklist walks you through every essential SEO step—from technical foundations to content optimization—so you can hit the ground running and capture organic traffic from day one. --- ## 1️⃣ Pre‑Launch Technical Audit - [ ] Verify that the site is hosted on a fast, reliable server (response time < 200 ms). - [ ] Set up HTTPS with a valid SSL/TLS certificate and redirect all HTTP URLs to HTTPS. - [ ] Create and submit a **robots.txt** file that blocks only non‑essential pages (e.g., admin, staging). > 💡 Use `Disallow: /wp-admin/` and `Allow: /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php` for WordPress sites. - [ ] Generate an XML sitemap that includes only canonical, indexable pages and submit it to Google Search Console (GSC) and Bing Webmaster Tools. - [ ] Ensure all pages return correct HTTP status codes (200 for live pages, 301 for moved content, 404 for removed pages). - [ ] Implement hreflang tags if the site targets multiple languages or regions. - [ ] Add a favicon and Apple touch icon for brand consistency across browsers and devices. - [ ] Set up structured data (Schema.org) for core content types (Article, Product, FAQ, Breadcrumb). - [ ] Verify mobile‑friendliness with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test; fix any viewport or tap‑target issues. - [ ] Enable caching (browser & server) and compress assets (gzip/Brotli). --- ## 2️⃣ On‑Page SEO Foundations - [ ] Conduct keyword research for each primary page; record target keyword, search volume, and intent. - [ ] Optimize title tags (≤ 60 characters) to include the primary keyword and brand name. - [ ] Write compelling meta descriptions (≤ 160 characters) with a call‑to‑action and target keyword. - [ ] Ensure each page has one H1 tag that matches the title tag and includes the primary keyword. - [ ] Use H2–H4 hierarchy to structure content; incorporate LSI keywords naturally. - [ ] Insert the primary keyword within the first 100 words of the page copy. - [ ] Optimize images: descriptive file names, alt text with keywords, and compressed size (< 100 KB). - [ ] Add internal links to at least 2–3 relevant pages per piece of content, using keyword‑rich anchor text. - [ ] Set canonical tags to prevent duplicate content issues. - [ ] Verify that nothin​g‑index or nofollow tags are unintentionally applied to important pages. --- ## 3️⃣ Content Quality & User Experience - [ ] Publish at least 5 pillar/content hub pages covering core topics of the site. - [ ] Ensure each page has a minimum word count appropriate for its topic (e.g., 1,200 words for in‑depth guides). - [ ] Include multimedia (images, videos, infographics) to boost dwell time; add transcripts for video/audio. - [ ] Implement clear, descriptive CTAs above the fold and at the end of each content piece. - [ ] Conduct a readability test (Flesch‑Kincaid grade ≤ 8) and edit for clarity. - [ ] Add breadcrumb navigation for all interior pages. - [ ] Set up a 404 error page that suggests related content and includes a search bar. - [ ] Test page load speed with PageSpeed Insights; aim for ≥ 90 (mobile) and ≥ 95 (desktop). - [ ] Ensure all forms have proper validation and a thank‑you/confirmation page that is indexable (or blocked if not needed). --- ## 4️⃣ Local & International SEO (if applicable) - [ ] Create or claim a **Google Business Profile** and populate NAP (Name, Address, Phone) details. - [ ] Add the business address and phone number in schema markup (LocalBusiness). - [ ] Build citations on top local directories (Yelp, TripAdvisor, industry‑specific sites). - [ ] Set up location‑specific landing pages with unique, geo‑targeted content. - [ ] Verify that the site’s country code top‑level domain (ccTLD) or subdirectory matches the target region. - [ ] Submit the site to regional search engines (e.g., Yandex for Russia, Baidu for China) if relevant. --- ## 5️⃣ Analytics & Tracking - [ ] Install Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and verify data collection on all pages. - [ ] Link GA4 to Google Search Console for integrated reporting. - [ ] Set up conversion goals (form submissions, purchases, newsletter sign‑ups) in GA4. - [ ] Add UTM parameters to any pre‑launch marketing campaigns. - [ ] Enable event tracking for outbound links, video plays, and file downloads. - [ ] Configure Google Tag Manager (GTM) for flexible tag management; test all tags with preview mode. --- ## 6️⃣ Post‑Launch Monitoring - [ ] Crawl the live site with Screaming Frog or Sitebulb to catch 404s, broken links, and duplicate content. - [ ] Check GSC for indexing errors, coverage issues, and manual actions; resolve within 48 hours. - [ ] Monitor core web vitals (LCP, FID, CLS) in GSC and PageSpeed Insights; aim for “Good” scores. - [ ] Review organic traffic and keyword rankings after 7, 14, and 30 days; note any sudden drops. - [ ] Set up alerts for sudden traffic spikes or drops (Google Analytics custom alerts). - [ ] Conduct a backlink audit to ensure no toxic links are pointing to the new domain. --- ## 7️⃣ Ongoing SEO Maintenance (Monthly) - [ ] Refresh or expand existing content based on performance data and new keyword opportunities. - [ ] Add internal links to newly published articles where contextually relevant. - [ ] Audit and update meta titles/descriptions for click‑through rate (CTR) improvements. - [ ] Check for and fix any new broken links or 404 errors. - [ ] Review structured data for errors in GSC’s Rich Results report. - [ ] Build at least 3 high‑quality backlinks per month through outreach or content promotion. --- ## How to use this checklist 1. **Print or duplicate** the list in your project management tool (e.g., Asana, Trello). 2. **Assign owners** to each task—technical SEO to the dev team, content to writers, analytics to the marketer. 3. **Mark items as complete** in real time; the checklist is designed for a linear flow but can be adapted to parallel workstreams. 4. **Review the “💡 Tips”** for quick best‑practice reminders that often prevent common oversights. 5. **Schedule the post‑launch monitoring** tasks for the exact dates listed (Day 1, Day 7, etc.) to ensure nothing falls through the cracks. 6. **Re‑run the entire checklist** after major site updates or redesigns to maintain SEO health. Keep this checklist handy throughout the project and beyond—SEO is an ongoing process, not a one‑time launch task. Good luck!