Congratulations — your new website is live! 🎉 But here's what many business owners don't realize: launching your website is the starting line, not the finish line.
A website isn't a "set it and forget it" tool. What you do after launch determines whether it becomes a powerful customer acquisition machine or a forgotten digital brochure. Here's your complete post-launch guide.
The First 48 Hours
Right after launch, there are critical things to monitor:
- Check all forms — Submit test entries to make sure everything works
- Test from different devices — Phone, tablet, desktop, different browsers
- Monitor for errors — 404 pages, broken images, slow loading
- Verify analytics — Make sure Google Analytics is tracking correctly
- Check SSL — Verify the padlock icon shows on all pages
I handle all of this for my clients in the first 48 hours post-launch, but if you're managing your own site, make it a priority.
Week 1: Announce and Promote
Tell Everyone
- Social media — Announce your new site on all platforms with a link
- Email — Send an announcement to your customer list
- Google Business Profile — Update your website URL
- Business cards and materials — Update printed materials with the website
- Email signatures — Add your website link to every team member's signature
Submit to Search Engines
- Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console
- Submit to Bing Webmaster Tools
- Request indexing for your most important pages
Month 1: Build the Foundation
Set Up Google Business Profile (If You Haven't)
This is essential for local businesses. Claim your listing, add your website, upload photos, and start collecting reviews.
Start Creating Content
Your blog should go live with at least 3-5 posts, then aim to publish 1-2 new posts per month. Each post is another entry point from Google search.
Monitor Your Analytics
Check Google Analytics weekly in the first month:
- How many visitors are you getting?
- Where are they coming from?
- Which pages are most popular?
- How long are they staying?
- Are forms being submitted?
Months 2-3: Optimize and Refine
Review Your Data
By now you have enough data to make informed decisions:
- High bounce rate pages — These need better content or design
- Low-traffic pages — These need better SEO or internal linking
- Popular pages — Double down on what's working
- Conversion tracking — Which pages generate the most leads?
Collect and Display Reviews
Actively ask customers for Google reviews and display them on your site. Reviews build trust and improve your local SEO rankings.
Build Backlinks
Start building links from other websites:
- Get listed in local business directories
- Partner with complementary businesses for cross-links
- Write guest posts for relevant blogs
- Get listed in industry-specific directories
Ongoing: Maintenance and Growth
Monthly Maintenance
- Update software, plugins, and security patches
- Check for broken links
- Review and update content as needed
- Monitor site speed and performance
- Back up your website
- Review analytics and adjust strategy
Content Strategy
- Publish 1-4 blog posts per month
- Update existing content to keep it current
- Add new service pages as your business grows
- Create case studies from successful projects
- Add new testimonials as you receive them
Continuous Improvement
- A/B test headlines and CTAs
- Optimize pages based on analytics data
- Add new features as needs arise
- Refresh the design every 3-5 years
Common Post-Launch Mistakes
- Ignoring the site for months — An outdated, unmaintained site loses rankings and trust
- Expecting instant results — SEO takes 3-6 months to show significant results. Be patient
- Not tracking conversions — If you don't know which pages generate leads, you can't optimize
- Neglecting mobile — Test your site on mobile regularly, especially after updates
- Forgetting about security — An unmaintained site is a hacked site. It's not if, but when
I'm Here for the Long Haul
My relationship with clients doesn't end at launch. I offer ongoing maintenance plans, performance optimization, and strategic guidance to help your website grow with your business.
