The 10-point checklist to run before you launch your website
June 18, 2026 · Updated August 3, 2026 · The viweb Team
Before launching a website, check 10 things: working links, real-phone mobile test, a visible contact method, proofread copy, real photos, consistent business info, a lead-capture form, fast load times, privacy/terms pages, and one outside test user. The whole pass takes about 30 minutes and catches the mistakes that cost you your first visitors (updated 2026).
What should you check first: links, mobile, and contact info?
1. Test every link. Broken navigation is the fastest way to lose a visitor's trust — click through every page and button yourself.
2. Check your site on a real phone, not just a resized browser window. Most first visits to a small-business site happen on mobile.
3. Make sure there's an obvious way to contact you — a phone number, email, or booking button above the fold, not buried in a footer.
How do you make the content trustworthy?
4. Proofread your copy out loud. AI-generated or not, typos and awkward phrasing are the first thing visitors notice.
5. Add real photos where you can. Stock imagery gets you live fast, but real photos of your work or your team build more trust over time.
6. Confirm your business name, hours, and address match what's on Google and your social profiles.
What turns a live website into actual customers?
7. Set up a way to capture leads — a form, a chat widget, or a booking flow — so traffic converts into something you can follow up on.
8. Check your page loads fast. Slow sites lose visitors before the content even renders.
9. Add your privacy policy and terms if you collect any personal information or take payments.
10. Share the link with one person outside your business and watch them use it without guidance — you'll immediately see what's confusing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a pre-launch website check take?
About 30 minutes for a typical small-business site: 10 minutes clicking through links and forms, 10 on a real phone, and 10 proofreading and verifying business details.
Do I need a privacy policy for a small-business website?
If you collect any personal information — even just a contact form with an email field — yes. viweb includes standard privacy and terms pages you can adapt in minutes.
What's the most common mistake before launch?
Hiding the contact method. A phone number or booking button should be visible above the fold on mobile — most small-business visitors decide to call or book within the first screen.
Should I launch with stock photos or wait for real ones?
Launch with stock photos — being live matters more than being perfect. Replace them with real photos of your work within the first few weeks; in viweb you can swap any photo from the chat editor.