SEO checklist for a new website: What not to forget before launch
Launching a new website? Congratulations! But beware – without proper SEO setup from the start, you could lose valuable organic reach. We have prepared a detailed SEO checklist for a new website to help you prepare your site so it has a chance to succeed in search engines like Google or Seznam.
1. Technical SEO Setup
Technical SEO is the foundation. Without it, search engines cannot access your pages or may index them incorrectly.
- HTTPS – the website must be secured with an SSL certificate.
- Proper HTTP to HTTPS redirection
- Responsive design – essential for mobile and tablet users.
- Proper URL structure – readable, without diacritics or unnecessary parameters.
- robots.txt file – allows indexing only for necessary parts.
- Sitemap.xml – helps search engines crawl the entire website quickly.
2. Keywords and Content
Before launching your website, you should know which keywords you want to target. Keyword and competitor analysis will help.
- Keyword analysis using tools like Collabim, Marketing Miner, Ahrefs
- Optimization of H1, H2, H3 titles according to key phrases
- Unique texts for each page – no copying
- Meta titles and descriptions containing the main keyword
3. Structure and UX
SEO cannot be separated from user experience (UX). If your website structure is confusing, visitors leave – and Google notices.
- Logical navigation – minimal clicks to reach the goal
- Internal linking between related pages
- Breadcrumb navigation – helps both users and search engines
4. Loading Speed
The website must be fast. Long loading times harm conversions and search rankings.
- Image optimization (WebP)
- Lazy loading for images and iframes
- Minification of CSS, JS, HTML
- Use of caching – e.g., WP Rocket or LiteSpeed Cache
5. SEO Plugins and Tools
Using WordPress? Then the right plugin is essential. Recommended:
- Yoast SEO or Rank Math
- Google Site Kit – connection to Analytics and Search Console
6. Performance Tracking Tools
After launching your site, you will want to track its performance. Make sure to set up:
- Google Search Console
- Google Analytics 4
- Hotjar / Clarity – to monitor visitor behavior
7. Content Ready for Sharing
Before launch, you should have prepared:
- CTA elements – calls to action in each section
- Open Graph and Twitter Card meta tags – previews for social networks
- Favicon and images with alt attributes containing keywords
8. Pre-Launch Testing
- Mobile usability – test via Google Mobile-Friendly Test
- Loading speed – tool PageSpeed Insights
- HTML and CSS validation – via W3C Validator
Final Summary
Launching a website without SEO is like opening a store without a window display. This SEO checklist helps cover all essential steps – from technical foundations to content and performance tracking tools.
At AVATOMIS, we specialize in websites that work from the start. We can help with creation, optimization, and long-term growth. Contact us – we’ll take care of your project.
