If you’re launching an eCommerce site, you’ll need to undertake several vital checks before it goes live. For both your business and your customers, you should ensure that each technical function is incorporated seamlessly. We’ve explained why in our quick guide below.
Why are pre-checks important for any eCommerce site?
During the design process, it’s likely that you’ll need to generate thousands of specific functions – to facilitate the customer experience with useful components.
Taking care of every detail is critical in creating a smoother UX. And with at least 55% of all website traffic worldwide coming from mobile devices in 2022, you’ll need to create a mobile version too.
If your customers have an easy time using your website, they will be more inclined to return. A newer website will be faster – and increasing the speed of your site could be hugely beneficial for SEO value.
In summary, superior performance is key. For faultless, refined results, you’ll need to make sure everything on your new site works before you launch it.
Should I complete pre-launch checks internally?
With so many finer details to focus on, completing every check can be a daunting task for an internal team to tackle. But keeping up with your competitors in the current dynamic digital sphere is imperative, so you need to get it right.
If you choose to work with a specialist web design agency, they will comprehensively run through the checks on your behalf. Seeking professional support will guarantee that you’ll be using a purpose-built, fully integrated eCommerce system that suits your business.
Which checks are needed for a new eCommerce site?
You should aim to follow a checklist covering each technical element of your website.
The final result of this type of checklist varies from business to business, but usually involves multiple individuals – including developers, project managers, internal stakeholders, and site users too.
Before getting stuck into the development, ensure that your site architecture is polished and clearly defined in a document like an Excel spreadsheet. You should include the following:
Named and structured menus, Structured categories, Suggested URLs, H1s, H2s, title tags and meta descriptions, Current keyword research data.
The basic eCommerce site checklist
The most fundamental, non-negotiable pre-launch checks include:
Extension serial keys: Most extensions have a licence or serial key issued to a domain name. The extension simply won’t work if the key is set up incorrectly, which could cause technical issues on your website.
Performance tests: It’s crucial to have an idea of how efficiently your site runs. Every time you make a change to your site, you’ll need to run a speed test to make sure it hasn’t negatively impacted performance.
Payment gateways: You’ll need to make sure that any live transaction gateways are working as they should. Launching your site only to realise that you can’t accept customer payments could be incredibly frustrating.
Code audit: Audits and code reviews are a guaranteed way to make sure that the quality of your site meets the mark. If a professional helps you with this, they should be able to identify any overarching issues, security concerns, and flaws in the code.
Analytics: Setting up Google Analytics in place should be a critical part of the process too. Automated features like conversion tracking and Google Tag Manager should be set up to help you understand the journey made by your customers.
Mobile optimisation: If you’ve put time and effort into writing code for a stunning website on desktop, you’ll need an efficient mobile version to match. A large proportion of web traffic will come from mobile users, so it’s important to appeal to your entire audience.
How should you manage an eCommerce site internally?
Lastly, it’s important to have a grasp on the best ways to manage your site. Aside from any external support, there are a few things you can keep an eye on internally with your colleagues. These might include:
Content: In light of Google’s Helpful Content Update, you’ll need to make sure that any written content on your site is informative, detailed, and high-quality, helping to position your brand as a voice of authority on your topic.
Images: Know where to source relevant images for your website? Make sure to store them in a local file or program, making sure that they’re free of any royalties.
Tone of Voice: Every brand needs a tone of voice to thrive in the digital sphere. Make sure yours is clearly set out for colleagues and brand partners to utilise, helping you cut through the noise online.
