You’ve put in countless hours, days, and weeks getting your brand new website ready. Your big launch day is just around the corner! The official website launch can be such an exciting part of your small business journey. But it can also be a bit overwhelming if not planned for properly. Having a plan in place for your launch not only makes the process go more smoothly. It can also bring more eyes to your website and increase the impact of your website’s launch. Whether you are working with Desert Rose Design & Photo Co. or another web designer (or have even created your own website), I put together this simple and easy website launch checklist as a helpful resource for you so you can be well-prepared for your website launch. Here are some helpful tips on how to effectively launch a new website in 2025!

What is the Difference Between a Website Launch Checklist and a Pre-launch Checklist?

These two may sound the same, but at Desert Rose, they aren’t! They are both important but serve different purposes.

A pre-launch checklist includes all of the technical aspects that should be accounted for prior to you website launch date. This includes steps like confirming mobile responsiveness, checking and optimizing page speed, testing all contact forms, etc.

The website launch checklist, on the other hand, is the marketing launch plan you have in place after those technical pieces have been completed. These steps have more to do with creating a plan that will allow you to get the most out of your website launch. Using a website launch checklist, you’ll be able to leverage the impact of your website launch and build up excitement and momentum to boost traffic on launch day!

The Small Business Website Launch Checklist

1. Choose an official launch date

Choosing an official launch date can help give your launch a nice structure and timeline for when everything else needs to be completed by. There are two main things to consider when choosing a launch date.

First, the launch date you choose should allow for enough time to go through final tests of your website’s look, feel, and function (the pre-launch checklist mentioned above). For example, you’ll want to plan for time to check forms and opt-ins to assure that they are all working properly. You’ll also want to make sure the mobile version of your site is just as clean, beautiful, and easy to navigate as your desktop version.

The other thing to consider is that you want to make sure you have plenty of time to properly promote your website before the official launch. Tips 2 through 5 will break this part down in more detail.

2. Create a celebratory offer for your followers

If you’d like, you can create a celebratory offer for followers on all of your platforms. For example, you could do a giveaway or give a discount or coupon to celebrate the official launch. These types of offers generate even more excitement around an already-exciting launch and can also boost traffic upon launch!

3. Hype up your launch on social media

After setting an official launch date and possibly creating a celebratory offer, it’s time to think about all of the different ways to get the word out and build anticipation and momentum around your website launch. If you have an active social media account such as Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, you’ll want to create posts, stories, reels, etc. that you can share on all of these accounts concerning your upcoming website launch. At minimum, you want at least one “Coming Soon” announcement as well as an “It’s finally here” social media announcement. This will get your followers excited and hyped about your launch throughout the most important stages!

Beautiful custom or ready-made social media graphics for your website launch can be made or accessed using Canva. They may also be included in your web design package or offered as an add-on if you are working with a designer or marketing strategist who offers those services. If you are putting together your own graphics, make sure to choose ones that align with your new website’s branding. You’ll also want to think about all of the important details you’d like people to know before and on the day of the launch. You can even give followers some sneak peeks (for example a post of your mood board or new logo).

4. Hype up your launch through your mailing list

If you have a mailing list, you will definitely want to let your subscribers know that your big website launch is just around the corner! Just like with social media, you can provide hints and details about your launch in the mailing list newsletter as well as sneak peeks.

5. Create a welcome blog post

Creating a welcome blog post is a great way to connect immediately with your new visitors on your brand new website. Think of this blog post as a housewarming gathering for your new online home. In your blog post, provide details about the new website and your website creation or transformation journey. For example, you can share all of the special new features and/or services offered on the site. Or you can share thoughts about the process and experience of creating the new website. You can also discuss how your business has evolved or will evolve as a result of embarking on your new website and/or rebrand journey. This blog post can also be shared on social media and your mailing list newsletter to increase visibility and awareness.

Get Excited and Don’t Forget to Celebrate!

Regardless of whether you created your website yourself or hired a professional, launching a website is a lot of hard work that shouldn’t go unnoticed! Don’t forget to celebrate this amazing milestone for yourself too! 🎉 🥂 Take time to reflect on the whole process. Think about how you’ve grown from it and how you can make this special milestone celebratory in your own life!

What are some ways you plan to celebrate your website launch? Share your exciting ideas below in the comments!