The big Ecommerce Website Pre-Launch Checklist
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Well done on creating your e-commerce website!
Before you hit the 'publish' button, let's make sure that all of the necessary elements are set up and that you haven't forgotten any important information.
Feel free to use this comprehensive pre-launch checklist of questions to make sure you're TOTALLY on the right track 🕺
1. Website Design and Development
Have you checked that all pages and features are fully responsive across different devices and browsers?
Have you tested your website's overall performance and loading speed?
Are your menus/navigation system intuitive and easy to use?
Have you optimised your website for search engines using proper SEO techniques?
2. Store details
Is your visible business address correct on confirmation emails etc. (a.k.a. not the stocking address)?
Is your email address - where you will receive any contact form enquiries - correct and/or attached to all forms?
Have you validated your domain with your email provider if using a 3rd party domain (/admin/settings/sender-email)?
Have you set up additional tax collection on top of your product prices, if necessary? - These will be different depending on your country/area of the world
3. Products and Inventory
Are all product descriptions, prices, and images accurate?
Have you tested the checkout process to ensure a smooth purchasing experience?
Have you set up inventory management and/or implemented automatic stock notifications?
Have you integrated a reliable and secure payment gateway?
Are your preferred payment methods set up in your account? - Watch out for high-rate credit cards such as American Express
Have you set up a system for product reviews and ratings?
3. Security and Privacy
Have you set up an SSL certificate to encrypt customer data and secure transactions?
Have you checked that your website is PCI-DSS compliant? - If you handle credit card information
Do you have a strong password policy and have two-factor authentication enabled for admin access?
Have you implemented measures to protect against DDoS attacks and other potential security threats?
Have you created a privacy policy that clearly outlines how you handle customer data?
4. Shipping and Fulfillment
Have you defined your shipping options and rates, including international shipping (if applicable)?
Which countries are you shipping to? What rates are you offering (express, regular) and how much do each of those rates cost? - You can also add conditions to the rates so they differ depending on price or weight
Have you defined your dispatch address? (Where are your products stored?)
Is your process integrated with reliable shipping carriers and does it generate shipping labels?
Which shipping carriers will you be using? - Select the one you’ll use so your shipping labels will be created ready to ship
Have you set up automated order tracking to provide updates to customers?
Have you created a clear returns and refund policy, as well as a way to communicate it to customers?
Have you tested the entire order fulfilment process to ensure a seamless experience?
5. Marketing and Analytics
Have you installed web analytics tools like Google Analytics to track website performance and user behaviour?
Have you set up goals and conversion tracking to measure the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns?
Do you have a compelling email marketing strategy that is integrated with a reliable email service provider?
Have you implemented social media sharing buttons and optimised your product pages for social sharing?
Have you set up tracking pixels for retargeting purposes?
6. Legal
Are all of your legal documents and policies ready and shared correctly? - These include refunds, shipping, privacy, GDPR and terms of service
When everything on this list is ticked off, you’re 100% good to go! Hit that ‘Publish’ button and know that you have a well-structured, automated-for-ease e-commerce website that will make you proud.
Now all you need are the sales.
