Here’s a clear and actionable Web Hosting Launch Checklist to ensure a successful launch for your new website:
1. Domain and Hosting Setup
- Choose and register a domain name
- Select a reliable hosting provider
- Configure DNS records (A, CNAME, MX, etc.)
2. Web Hosting Configuration
- Log in and familiarize yourself with the hosting control panel (cPanel/Plesk)
- Set up FTP/SFTP accounts for secure file transfers
- Activate SSL Certificate (enable HTTPS)
- Set PHP version and extensions as required by your website or CMS
- Adjust server settings (memory limits, upload size, execution time)
3. Website Development & CMS Installation
- Install and configure CMS (WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, etc.)
- Choose and customize website theme or template
- Create necessary pages (Home, About, Services, Blog, Contact)
- Install essential plugins/extensions (SEO, Security, Caching)
4. Content Creation and Upload
- Write clear, SEO-friendly website copy
- Upload optimized images and videos
- Set up menus and site navigation
5. Website Security
- Install a security plugin or firewall
- Set strong passwords for all accounts
- Configure automated backups (daily/weekly)
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) if available
6. Performance Optimization
- Install caching solutions
- Optimize and compress images
- Enable Gzip compression
- Integrate CDN (Content Delivery Network) if needed
7. SEO Essentials
- Set up SEO-friendly URLs
- Generate and submit sitemap.xml to search engines
- Create robots.txt file
- Set up Google Search Console and Google Analytics
8. Email Configuration
- Create professional email accounts (e.g., info@yourdomain.com)
- Set up email forwarding/autoresponders if required
- Test sending and receiving emails
9. Cross-Browser & Mobile Compatibility
- Test website across different browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
- Ensure responsive design works well on mobile and tablets
10. Testing and Final Checks
- Proofread and review content for accuracy
- Check website speed with tools like GTmetrix or Google PageSpeed Insights
- Test website forms and ensure functionality
- Check internal and external links
11. Launch and Post-Launch Tasks
- Officially point domain to hosting server
- Announce your new website on social media and marketing channels
- Monitor performance, security, and uptime regularly
- Schedule routine backups and updates
