What to Do Right After You Launch Your WordPress Website
The day your WordPress website is rolled out is an exciting milestone, but it’s just the beginning of your journey to grow your business through your online presence. In the long term, you’ll need to consistently add or update content, refresh information, adjust calls to action, create or update landing pages, and more.
However, there’s plenty you can do right after the launch to ensure your website runs smoothly and effectively. Soon after your website rollout, it’s essential to explore and utilize the available tools to better manage, promote, and optimize your site. The following website post-launch checklist will serve as your comprehensive guide to take action and ensure that your website remains a powerful asset for your business growth.
Website Post-Launch Checklist
This checklist includes actionable steps you should take immediately after launching your WordPress website to maximize its functionality, security, and marketing potential. By addressing these key areas early on, you’ll ensure a smoother user experience, better search engine rankings, and improved site performance. Taking these steps will also help establish a strong foundation for your website’s long-term success and growth.
Monitor Website Uptime
Ensuring your website is always accessible is essential for maintaining customer trust and maximizing opportunities. Set up uptime monitoring tools like Uptime Robot to get real-time alerts if your site experiences downtime. By monitoring uptime, you can promptly address server issues or technical glitches, minimizing disruption to visitors and protecting your reputation.
Beyond basic monitoring, consider integrating advanced tools that provide detailed reports on performance metrics, such as response times and server status.
These insights allow you to optimize your website’s hosting environment and ensure that visitors consistently experience fast, seamless access. Given that downtime can severely impact your revenue and credibility, uptime monitoring is one of the most critical items on your checklist.
Use Google Analytics
Google Analytics provides an in-depth view of how users interact with your site, enabling you to make data-driven decisions. It tracks essential metrics like bounce rates, conversion paths, and session durations, giving you insights into user preferences and potential pain points. In fact, according to McKinsey & Company, more than 50% of companies surveyed were using data analytics to improve their business operations. By analyzing this data, you can optimize content, navigation, and calls to action for better results.
Additionally, Google Analytics integrates with tools like Google Ads, enabling you to track campaign performance and ROI. Setting up custom goals and e-commerce tracking can further refine your understanding of how users progress through your sales funnel, helping you make targeted improvements that directly impact your bottom line. Follow this guide to get started with Analytics.
Set up Google Search Console
Google Search Console (GSC) is a vital tool for diagnosing and fixing SEO issues. By submitting your XML sitemap, you help search engines crawl and index your website efficiently, boosting visibility. GSC also highlights technical issues such as mobile usability errors, indexing problems, and security alerts, allowing you to address them before they affect rankings.
Beyond error reporting, GSC provides data on the search terms driving traffic to your site and how your pages perform in search results. This information can guide your content strategy, helping you target high-value keywords and optimize for user intent. Regularly reviewing GSC reports ensures that your website stays competitive and aligned with SEO best practices. Once you have the sitemap, submit it in the Console and follow these steps to finish the setup.
Get a Content Delivery Network
A Content Delivery Network (CDN) significantly improves your website’s speed and user experience by distributing content across multiple servers worldwide. Visitors are served data from the server closest to their location, reducing latency and load times. Faster websites not only improve customer satisfaction but also enjoy better search engine rankings.
Implementing a CDN post-launch is straightforward and often includes additional benefits like DDoS protection and bandwidth optimization. Many CDNs offer free tiers or scalable plans, making them accessible for businesses of all sizes. A faster, more secure website positions your business as professional and trustworthy, helping you stand out in a crowded digital marketplace.
Install a Backup Plugin
A reliable backup system is an essential part of your website post-launch checklist, acting as your safety net against data loss, hacking, or accidental changes. Plugins like Jetpack or UpdraftPlus make it easy to schedule automatic backups, ensuring that your content and settings are always protected. In the event of a breach or technical error, you can quickly restore your site to its previous state without losing critical data.
Beyond basic backups, it’s a good idea to store copies in multiple locations, such as cloud storage and local devices, for added security. Some plugins also offer version control, allowing you to revert to specific backups if needed. Regularly testing your backups is crucial to confirm that they work as intended, giving you peace of mind and ensuring your website remains secure and functional.
Change Your Username and Password
Default credentials, like “admin” usernames and weak passwords, are the first targets for hackers. Strengthen your security by creating unique, complex passwords using a generator. Combine this with a plugin like WP Limit Login Attempts, which restricts repeated failed logins, to reduce the risk of brute-force attacks.
Additionally, consider implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) for an added layer of protection. 2FA requires a second verification step, such as a text code or app notification, to access your site. With cybersecurity threats on the rise, these measures ensure that your website remains secure from unauthorized access.
Write Blog Posts
Regular blogging is a powerful way to attract visitors, boost SEO, and establish authority in your industry. By addressing common questions or providing valuable insights, your blog can become a go-to resource for your target audience. Consistency is key; aim for a schedule that balances quality and frequency, such as bi-weekly posts.
Beyond organic traffic benefits, blog posts are excellent for repurposing into social media content, newsletters, or downloadable resources. For example, a single blog post can be adapted into infographics or short video clips, expanding its reach. A well-maintained blog keeps your website dynamic and engaging, encouraging repeat visits and higher rankings.
Additionally, blog posts allow you to incorporate targeted keywords and long-tail phrases, further improving your SEO and making it easier for potential customers to find your site through search engines.
Over time, this content library becomes a valuable asset, driving traffic, building brand trust, and establishing your business as an authority in your field. In fact, companies that blog receive 67% more leads per month than those that don’t, highlighting the effectiveness of blogging as a tool for business growth
Register or Update Your Website Online
The web provides a magnificent opportunity to reach and really engage your target audience. If you already have social media accounts or directory listings for your business, you need to update them right after your website rollout. Your site might have a new domain name, logo, or other changed features. So update your accounts with this new information regularly to get the most out of your online presence.
If you’ve built a new site from scratch, that’s all the more reason for you to set up accounts on social media and other outlets. Let the world know you’re in business. Offer them what they need, and they will come – especially if you follow the right marketing plan.
Consistently engaging with your audience on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn not only helps you build a loyal following but also drives traffic back to your website. Additionally, by sharing valuable content, promotions, and updates, you can establish your brand as a trusted resource, encouraging interaction and fostering long-term customer relationships. The more you stay active and visible, the greater your potential to convert followers into loyal customers.
Do Email Marketing
While social media is a great way to promote your brand, email marketing is also a simple yet essential tool. But email marketing only works if you have an email list of potential clients to market to. If you have a big list, that’s great, but it can (and should) always be growing. Use a popup strategy on your website to gather those coveted emails.
As far as the actual marketing goes, you can send monthly newsletters with news and tips, or you could create and send offers for your products/services. But don’t spam people – nobody likes spam. A well-crafted email marketing campaign provides personalized value to your subscribers, keeping them engaged and interested in your brand.
You can segment your list based on customer behavior, interests, or demographics to send targeted, relevant content that resonates with each group. This level of personalization increases the chances of conversions and fosters a stronger connection with your audience. Additionally, offering exclusive deals or early access to new products via email can create a sense of urgency and encourage immediate action from your subscribers.
Implement a Business Marketing Plan
A well-designed website alone won’t guarantee success. You need a comprehensive marketing plan to drive traffic and conversions. This includes SEO, social media strategies, paid advertising, and partnerships with influencers or complementary brands. Tailor your plan to your target audience and business objectives for maximum impact.
Track your progress using analytics tools and adjust your strategies based on performance data. For instance, if certain campaigns drive higher engagement, allocate more resources to them. A thoughtful marketing plan, combined with the steps in your website post-launch checklist, sets the stage for long-term growth and profitability.
For Marketing Services or Web Design/Development, Contact Bright Pink Agency!
At Bright Pink Agency, we specialize in analyzing your business from a strategic marketing perspective and crafting a tailored marketing plan that aligns with your unique goals. Whether you’re looking to enhance your online presence, increase conversions, or grow your brand, we provide the expertise and tools you need to succeed. If you’re seeking a fresh website or need to revamp your existing one, our team is here to help with innovative web design and development solutions.
As part of your website post-launch checklist, we work closely with businesses of all sizes—whether you’re a small startup or an established franchise—ensuring that your website and marketing efforts are perfectly aligned with your business objectives. Our mission is to help you expand your reach, drive more traffic, and achieve lasting success. Contact us today to learn how we can transform your digital presence and grow your business through effective marketing strategies and high-quality web solutions.
