Website checklist
Website Launch Checklist for UK Small Businesses
Use this before launch — or as a quick health check for a website that is already online.
Start with the business outcome
A website is more useful when it has a clear job. Before thinking about colours or layouts, decide what a successful visit should lead to. For a local service business, that may simply be a qualified enquiry from the right type of customer.
The eight-point checklist
Define one primary goal
Decide whether the website should generate enquiries, bookings, calls, visits or online sales. Give every important page a clear next action.
Use a domain you control
Register the domain in your own name, keep renewal details current and make sure you can access its DNS settings.
Cover the essential pages
Most service businesses need a clear home page, services, about, contact details and appropriate privacy information.
Make contact effortless
Use a visible email address or enquiry form and test it from a phone and a computer before launch.
Check the mobile experience
Review text size, buttons, navigation and forms on a real phone. Mobile visitors should never need to pinch and zoom.
Explain the offer plainly
State who you help, what you provide and what a visitor should do next. Avoid vague claims and unexplained jargon.
Prepare search basics
Give each page a descriptive title and summary, use helpful headings, connect a sitemap and keep the content useful and original.
Protect trust
Use HTTPS, accurate business information and honest claims. Never publish invented reviews, clients, results or guarantees.
Launch, then improve
A focused website that clearly explains the business is more useful than an unfinished project waiting for perfection. Launch the essentials, listen to real enquiries and improve the site based on what customers need.