Launching a website is a big deal. You’ve poured time, energy, and creativity into building something amazing on Webflow, and now it’s time to show it to the world. But launching a site involves more than just hitting "publish"—you need to ensure everything runs smoothly and avoid potential pitfalls. Here's a step-by-step guide to launching your Webflow site the right way.
Double-check every page for typos, broken links, placeholder text, and formatting issues. It's easy to overlook minor details, so have someone else review your site as well. Tools like Grammarly can help catch those sneaky mistakes, and you can use Webflow's built-in preview to ensure consistency.
If you're replacing an existing site, make sure to set up 301 redirects in Webflow. This ensures visitors to old URLs are seamlessly redirected to the new pages. It’s also crucial for maintaining your SEO rankings. Webflow's redirect guide explains how to set this up.
Before going live, fine-tune your SEO settings.
You can also use Webflow's built-in tools to edit meta tags and preview how your site will appear in search engines. Pair this with tools like Google Lighthouse to check your site's performance and accessibility.
Responsiveness is key. Use Webflow's preview modes and test your site manually on various devices—desktop, tablet, and mobile. Additionally, try different browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari to spot any inconsistencies.
Make sure your analytics tools are ready to go. Set up Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager to track site performance and visitor behavior. Don’t forget to connect integrations like email marketing or CRM systems if your site relies on them.
Webflow makes hosting easy, but ensure you've selected a plan that matches your site's needs. For high-traffic sites, prioritize speed and reliability. Check Webflow’s hosting options to confirm what’s included in your plan.
Linking your custom domain is the final touch. Use Webflow's domain setup instructions to connect your site, and be sure to test the domain before launch. Tools like DNS Checker can verify that your DNS records are properly configured.
Once your site is live, monitor its performance closely in the first few weeks. Use tools like Google Search Console to check for crawl errors and Webflow's hosting analytics to track traffic spikes or issues.
Launching a Webflow site doesn’t have to be stressful. By following these steps, you can ensure your site looks great, performs well, and reaches the right audience. If you’d rather leave the heavy lifting to someone else, our team at Pretty Nice Websites is here to help. We’ve launched countless Webflow sites without a hitch, and we’re ready to make your next launch a breeze.
Contact us today, and let’s get your site live, hassle-free!