# Website Go-Live

_Last updated: 2025-06-30_

Website go-live is the execution of multiple consecutive and parallel tasks to minimize downtime and avoid caching issues. The process requires coordination with IT teams and follows a four-milestone sequence: plan development, risk mitigation, launch execution, and post-launch wrap-up.

## Launch Sequence

Successful website launch follows four milestones:

1. Develop the plan.
2. Expect the unexpected.
3. Launch on the chosen day.
4. Wrap up the details post-launch.

## Pre-Launch Planning

Launch planning begins early in the project timeline and addresses three areas:

**Infrastructure prerequisites:**
- Confirm the hosting provider
- Agree on which CDN to use
- Align expectations around security requirements
- Discuss any special infrastructure needs

**Access to integrated technologies:**
- Google Tag Manager
- Google Search Console
- Google Analytics
- Web Application Firewall (e.g., Cloudflare)
- Hosting provider (if not internally hosted)
- Marketing Automation platform
- Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

**Go-Live alignment (1–2 weeks before launch):**
- Choose launch date and time
- Confirm stakeholders and their contact details
- Validate all prerequisites with teams

## Pre-Launch Checklist

Every team lead must confirm readiness across the following areas:

### Development, Content & QA

1. Designs are properly implemented and pass QA
2. Special functionality is properly implemented and pass QA
3. Final content is updated; no Lorem Ipsum or placeholder content remains
4. All integrations are tested and working
5. Header and footer menus are populated, including social media links
6. URL structure is configured correctly
7. All forms are implemented with correct form IDs and proper automation

### SEO, CRO & Optimization

1. Redirect map is implemented
2. Content, including meta tags, is migrated or added correctly
3. Technical SEO issues are fixed; no broken links exist
4. Website is open for indexing
5. Web Core Vitals are in the green
6. Analytics is set up and receiving data
7. Sitemap is connected to Google Search Console
8. WP Rocket is set up
9. Image lazy loading is activated

### Security & DevOps

1. Security platforms are implemented and configured
2. Plugins and core versions are up to date
3. Hosting configuration is completed and tested
4. User access is confirmed
5. Code passes static code analysis
6. Manual penetration testing is completed
7. Access to DNS is available (direct or through client IT)
8. WP-Admin default URL is updated and two-factor authentication (2FA) is set up
9. HTTP security headers are added

### Client Confirmation

Final approval from the customer is required before launch begins.

## Launch Day Execution

Launch should occur during a low-traffic time of day with both technical teams available.

**T-1 hour (preparation phase):**

Over a dozen configuration tasks cannot be completed before this phase. The development environment becomes unavailable once the button is pushed; no changes can be made and the process cannot be stopped.

**T-5 minutes (DNS switch):**

The domain is pointed at the new site, URLs are replaced, and caches are cleared. The website may be unavailable during this window, and redirect or caching issues may occur.

Tasks performed:
- Sanity check to find and fix critical issues
- Resolve potential SSL problems
- Address redirect loops
- Clear caches
- Review hosting configuration

**Post-launch (same day):**

Visitors may experience issues for a few hours depending on DNS population, edge caching, local caching, and hosting configuration. Quality assurance and SEO tasks proceed after launch.

## Post-Launch Tasks

Following launch, the team performs:

1. Configure website monitoring for uptime and visual regression; report findings to stakeholders
2. Fine-tune website optimization, including SEO
3. Monitor analytics for potential drops or anomalies
4. Continue QA and collect user feedback, including bug reports

## Next Steps

After launch, [website optimization begins](https://www.airfleet.co/website-optimization/) to improve performance, SEO, and user experience.