Congrats! You almost have a shiny new website. You’ve worked so hard getting it ready that you’re finally ready to launch it to the world!
Not so fast!
There are 8 simple, but important, things you still need to do in order to make sure your website is truly ready for the spotlight.
1. Device check!
Your website looks fabulous on your computer. So what’s the problem exactly?
Sorry to disappoint, but it might not be a fabulous experience for everyone else. You (or your designer) need to test your website on multiple devices and browsers – mobile included.
Screens vary in width and resolution. Elements on your web page will display differently depending on the device. For example, a website on a widescreen monitor has more horizontal real estate than a mobile device.
First make sure your website looks good on a desktop device. Then if you have an additional laptop check it there as well. Ask a friend who either has a Windows computer or a Mac to check there’s.
Lastly you will want to check your device on your cell phone. Make sure all of the important elements are visible on the page. Make sure you can click on all buttons and it takes you to the appropriate page. Most importantly make sure that there is a consistent and pleasant user experience no matter which device you view your site on.
2. Spell, grammar, and WIIFM check
We I’ll make mistakes. Typos are inevitable and occur no matter how hard you try to avoid them. However, you can mitigate most typos by doing a thorough spell check.
First, use the tools that are available to you. If you are using a word processor you can use the spell checker the for copying your content onto your website. Also, there are extensions and plugins for your browser that will tell you if there are any misspelling s or grammatical errors.
Second, you will not want to rely on artificial intelligence alone. Proofread everything that is on your website at least once and more importantly have someone else proofread it who is not as close to your business.
More importantly, does the content on your website make sense? Does it answer the question: “What’s in it for me?” (WIIFM)
You can ask someone to review your website and explain
3. Keep it speedy!
The main culprit on a slow website are the images.
4. Install SSL
Getting an SSL certificate is easy. It ensures that all of the information submitted on your site is secure and secure sites not only ranked better in search engines but they also give your visitors Peace of Mind before submitting personal information.
Most web host offer a free SSL certificate you do not need to purchase one unless you feel the need to. If you are selling anything through your website it is Paramount that you get an SSL certificate.
If you have an SSL certificate you will see a green check mark next to your url in the browser. If your website does not have an SSL certificate it may be flagged in the web browser causing your visitors to think that there is something wrong with your website.
5. Create a privacy policy
Creating a privacy policy is pretty easy it ensures that your visitors know why you are collecting your information and what you will do with it if you are at coach consultant or public speaker you will likely use your visitors information to analyze performance of your website to collect leads and to follow up with any prospective clients. So why not just create a simple privacy policy that will state what you will do with the information obtained through your website.
NotNot only will you remain compliant with the rules and regulations of certain jurisdictions but it had the professional touch because you are a serious professional entrepreneur.
6. Install Google analytics
Install Google analytics at the on-site of your website and Solange failure to do so will result in you missing out on critical information that you will need to improve your website and organize your marketing efforts also it takes at least 3 days to get meaningful stats about your website so doing this sooner than later will allow you to take action sooner.
Google analytics is 100% free and easy to implement. Once installed you could do a quick test to make sure that all visits and information is being trapped in your Google analytics dashboard.
7. Add alt tags to images.
One thing that a lot of businesses fail to do on their website is include alternative text to their images not only does this allow search engines to scan the website and read the information but it describes the image just in case the images don’t load or in case someone is visually impaired and is using screen reading devices to navigation site it is always nice to remember to make your website accessible to as many people as possible use alternative text behind your image will allow more people to understand what your website is about also do not make the mistake of adding too much text behind image search engines can’t read it.
8. Just make sure it plain ‘ole works.
More important than the way your website looks is the way your website actually works.
If the user cannot easily navigate through out your site they will likely leave. Broken links broken images and buttons and forms that do not work provide a poor user experience.
There are tools to help you identify broken links and broken images however you will want to do a manual check yourself. Does each link on your website work?
If you have a contact form do you get the email after submitting the form? Does your visitor get an email after submitting a form?
If your website has an opt in, does the opt-in form work? Did you test to make sure that the email address and gets loaded into your email list? Did you test to see what email or auto-response your visitor will get back? Are they able to download any lead magnets or deliverables as a result of submitting the form? Doing a quick test before launch will ensure that you will not miss any submissions or lead information. It’s far better to catch mistakes yourself then have someone let you know about them.
