Website Pre-Launch Checklist for South African SMEs
Launching or relaunching a website is exciting, but it’s also one of the most common moments when businesses overlook small details that cause big headaches later. From broken links to poor mobile performance, a rushed launch can waste months of effort.
Whether you’re working with a developer or handling your own setup, this checklist will help you make sure your website is fast, functional, and ready for the public eye.
✓ Confirm Domain and Hosting Setup
Before going live, make sure your domain and hosting are connected correctly. South African businesses often experience delays due to DNS propagation or expired hosting plans.
Check that:
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Your domain is pointing to the correct server (use tools like whatsmydns.net).
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Your SSL certificate is active and displaying the secure padlock icon.
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Your email accounts (e.g., info@yourdomain.co.za) are working properly.
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Hosting performance is optimized for your traffic expectations, especially if you anticipate spikes around launch.
✓ Review Website Speed and Mobile Responsiveness
South Africa’s average internet speeds are improving, but not every user has fibre. A slow-loading website drives visitors away before they even see your content.
Test performance with:
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Google PageSpeed Insights to check load times on mobile and desktop.
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GTmetrix to identify heavy scripts or oversized images.
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Real-world tests on a phone using mobile data, not Wi-Fi.
Quick fixes:
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Compress images with tools like TinyPNG.
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Enable browser caching.
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Limit plugins that slow your site.
✓ Check All Links, Buttons, and Forms
It sounds simple, but broken links and inactive forms are among the top pre-launch issues. Go through your website as if you were a visitor and click everything.
Checklist:
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All menu links work and lead to the right pages.
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Contact forms submit successfully and send notifications to your email.
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Buttons on banners, pricing sections, and CTAs link correctly.
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No 404 errors appear on internal links.
A single broken button on your contact page can cost you leads from day one.
✓ Verify SEO Basics Before Launch
Your website launch is the best time to get SEO right. Many small businesses forget this step, only to realize months later that Google hasn’t indexed their pages.
Make sure you:
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Add proper meta titles and descriptions for each page.
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Connect your website to Google Search Console and Google Analytics.
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Create and submit an XML sitemap.
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Use headings (H1, H2, H3) logically for structure and readability.
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Include target keywords naturally within your copy.
This ensures Google understands your content from day one and helps your site start ranking early.
✓ Test Security and Backup Systems
Security is critical, especially for websites collecting client data or using contact forms. South Africa’s POPIA regulations require you to protect user information responsibly.
Check that:
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SSL encryption (https) is active.
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WordPress or CMS plugins are updated to their latest versions.
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A backup system (like UpdraftPlus or JetBackup) is running automatically.
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User roles are assigned properly to prevent accidental edits or unauthorized access.
A secure site builds trust with your audience and avoids unnecessary downtime.
✓ Optimise for Local SEO
For South African SMEs, visibility in your local area matters as much as your national presence.
Make sure to:
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Add your business name, address, and contact number (NAP) consistently across your website.
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Embed a Google Maps pin on your contact page.
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Create or update your Google Business Profile with accurate categories, hours, and photos.
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Include region-specific keywords like “Johannesburg web design” or “Cape Town accounting services.”
These steps help local customers find you faster and improve your visibility in search results.
✓ Double-Check Legal and Compliance Pages
Legal pages don’t attract traffic, but they protect your business. Make sure the following are published and easy to access:
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Privacy Policy (required under POPIA).
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Terms and Conditions outlining your services and disclaimers.
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Cookie Notice, if you track visitor data.
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Returns or Refund Policy, if you run an online store.
✓ Prepare Tracking, Analytics, and Integrations
Once your site is live, you need data. Analytics reveal what’s working and what’s not.
Before launch, confirm that:
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Google Analytics 4 is installed and tracking correctly.
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Meta Pixel or LinkedIn Insight Tag is active (if you plan to run ads).
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Any live chat tools or CRMs (like HubSpot) are integrated correctly.
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Conversion tracking is in place for contact forms or checkout pages.
This setup saves you from guessing later and helps measure ROI accurately.
✓ Review Content and Visuals
Do a final proofread of all written content and make sure your visuals are high quality. Consistency in tone, spelling, and formatting is often overlooked but affects how professional your site feels.
Check for:
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Typos, spacing, and grammar errors.
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Consistent font styles and colors.
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Alt text for all images.
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Copyright-free or licensed images only.
Small inconsistencies can distract from the strong impression you want to make at launch.
✓ Test Across Devices and Browsers
Your site might look perfect on your laptop but broken on someone’s Samsung phone. Test it on as many devices and browsers as possible, including Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox.
Focus on:
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Button spacing and touch targets on mobile.
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Image scaling and text wrapping.
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Layout consistency on tablets and desktops.
User experience consistency is key to building credibility from the first click.
Final Thought
Launching your website should feel exciting, not stressful. A detailed checklist like this helps you catch the details that can make or break a first impression.
Take the time to test, review, and prepare. Once your site goes live, you’ll know it’s fast, secure, compliant, and ready to convert visitors into clients from day one.
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