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Launch checklist for a new online store

Everything to tick off before you flip your store live - from payments to SEO.

Launching an online store is exciting - and easy to rush. The difference between a smooth launch and a stressful one usually comes down to a checklist. Here's the same pre-launch checklist we run before we flip any Ecomsy-built store live, grouped so you can work through it section by section.

Products and content

Nothing erodes trust faster than a half-finished catalogue. Before launch, make sure every product is genuinely ready to sell.

  • Clear, well-lit photos from multiple angles on every product
  • Unique descriptions that answer the buyer's real questions
  • Correct prices, with any sale prices double-checked
  • Accurate stock levels and variants (size, colour) set up
  • Products sorted into sensible categories and collections
  • Key pages written: About, Contact, Shipping, Returns

Payments and checkout

This is where money is won or lost, so test it like a customer would - all the way to a real confirmation.

  • Every payment method enabled and tested with a real transaction
  • Taxes and shipping rates configured for your regions
  • A full test order placed end to end
  • Order-confirmation and shipping emails working
  • Guest checkout available, with the form kept short

Trust and legal

Shoppers decide whether to trust you in seconds. Give them every reason to.

  • Visible contact details and a real support channel
  • Privacy policy, terms, and a clear returns policy published
  • SSL active so the whole site loads over HTTPS
  • An About page that tells your story
  • A few genuine reviews or testimonials where possible
SEO and analytics

Launching without these is like opening a shop with the lights off - people can't find you and you can't see what's working.

  • Unique title tags and meta descriptions on key pages
  • XML sitemap submitted to Google Search Console
  • Analytics and conversion tracking installed and firing
  • Social/Open Graph tags so shared links look right
  • No broken links or stray 404s on important pages

Performance and mobile

Most of your visitors will be on a phone, and every extra second of load time costs you sales.

  • Pages load fast - images compressed and lazy-loaded
  • The whole journey tested on a real phone
  • Checked in more than one browser
  • No layout breakage at small screen sizes

Tick every box and you'll launch with confidence instead of crossed fingers. Want a second pair of eyes before you go live? We're happy to run a quick pre-launch review of your store.

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