Launching a new website is exciting—but without the right SEO foundations in place, even the best-looking site can struggle to get noticed. At Vision51, we help businesses across Warrington and the UK launch websites that are built to rank from day one.
Whether you’re launching a brand-new site or relaunching an existing one, this ultimate SEO checklist for website launches will ensure your site is search-engine friendly, user-focused, and ready to perform.
Why SEO Matters Before You Launch 🚀
Many businesses treat SEO as something to “do later”—but that can be a costly mistake. Search engines need clear structure, clean code, and strong content signals from the very beginning.
A properly optimised launch helps you:
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Get indexed faster by Google
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Avoid ranking drops after migration
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Build authority from day one
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Maximise ROI on your new website
Pre-Launch SEO Checklist ✅
1. Keyword Research & Page Mapping
Before a single page goes live:
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Identify primary and secondary keywords
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Map one main keyword per page
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Avoid keyword cannibalisation
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Align keywords with search intent (informational, commercial, transactional)
💡 Tip: Service pages should target buyer-intent keywords, while blogs support long-tail and informational searches.
2. SEO-Friendly URL Structure
Your URLs should be:
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Short and descriptive
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Lowercase
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Hyphen-separated
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Free from numbers or random characters
Good example:/seo-services-warrington/
Bad example:/page-id-123/?ref=abc
3. Optimised Page Titles & Meta Descriptions
Every page must have:
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A unique title tag (50–60 characters)
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A compelling meta description (140–160 characters)
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Target keywords included naturally
These don’t just affect rankings—they directly impact click-through rates.
On-Page SEO Checklist 🧩
4. Correct Heading Structure (H1–H6)
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One H1 per page
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Logical hierarchy (H2s, H3s, etc.)
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Keywords used naturally in headings
Headings help both users and search engines understand your content.
5. High-Quality, Original Content
Before launch, ensure:
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No placeholder or duplicated text
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Clear service explanations
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Local SEO signals (areas you serve)
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Natural keyword usage (no stuffing)
Google rewards content that genuinely helps users.
6. Internal Linking Strategy
Internal links:
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Help distribute authority
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Improve crawlability
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Keep users on your site longer
Every important page should be reachable within 3 clicks or fewer.
Technical SEO Checklist 🔧
7. Mobile-Friendly Design
Google uses mobile-first indexing, so your site must:
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Be fully responsive
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Load fast on mobile
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Have readable text and clickable buttons
Test across multiple devices before launch.
8. Site Speed & Performance
Check:
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Page load times (aim for under 3 seconds)
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Image compression
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Clean code and scripts
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Reliable hosting
Speed impacts rankings and conversions.
9. SSL Certificate (HTTPS)
An SSL certificate:
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Builds trust
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Protects user data
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Is a confirmed Google ranking factor
Your site must launch on HTTPS—not HTTP.
10. XML Sitemap & Robots.txt
Before going live:
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Generate an XML sitemap
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Submit it to Google Search Console
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Ensure robots.txt isn’t blocking important pages
🚨 Common mistake: forgetting to remove “noindex” from development sites.
Local SEO Checklist (If You Serve Specific Areas) 📍
11. Google Business Profile Setup
For local businesses:
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Create or optimise your Google Business Profile
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Ensure consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone)
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Add service areas and categories
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Upload real images
This is essential for appearing in local map results.
12. Local Landing Pages
If you serve multiple locations:
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Create unique pages for each area
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Avoid copy-pasting content
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Include local references and FAQs
Post-Launch SEO Checklist 📊
13. Google Analytics & Search Console
Immediately after launch:
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Set up GA4
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Connect Google Search Console
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Monitor indexing, errors, and performance
Data is the foundation of SEO growth.
14. 301 Redirects (For Relaunches)
If replacing an old site:
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Redirect old URLs to relevant new pages
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Preserve backlinks and authority
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Prevent 404 errors
This step is critical for maintaining rankings.
15. Ongoing SEO Strategy
SEO doesn’t stop at launch. Plan for:
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Regular blog content
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Ongoing keyword tracking
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Technical audits
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Link building
Long-term consistency delivers long-term results.
Launch Your Website the Right Way with Vision51 💡
At Vision51, we don’t just design websites—we build search-ready platforms that help businesses grow online from day one. From SEO-friendly website design to full digital marketing strategies, we ensure your launch sets you up for long-term success.
If you’re planning a new website or relaunch and want SEO handled properly from the start, our Warrington-based team is here to help.
📞 Get in touch with Vision51 today and launch with confidence.
