How to check if your website is ready to launch

08.11.2016

Errors during the website launch can be stupid, short-sighted, and far-reaching. The former can include incorrect phone numbers in the header of the site (good luck calling now). The latter can include unconnected metrics counters (the sooner you start collecting statistics, the better). The third can include a forgotten backup system (one awkward move, and we lose the website).

For those who are one step away from launching their project, we have compiled a 21-point checklist. It will help you avoid typical problems, from orders that go nowhere to a failed payment system and errors in the robots.txt file.

For convenience, the list is divided into 4 blocks: technical aspects, testing, content, and marketing. The points of exceptional importance for online stores are highlighted separately.

Spoiler alert: we do not claim to provide a comprehensive list - each project has its own peculiarities. Our managers use this set of rules for an express check of the website before handing it over to the client. It will be useful for non-developers who want to make sure everything is in order.

So, let's get started: preparing the 1C-Bitrix website for launch in 21 steps.

Check technical aspects

The website has a separate domain name.
The website has an SSL certificate. This means that Google Chrome marks it as secure.
The working email address should be in the format info@domain_name.ru or zakaz@domain_name.ru. It is not recommended to use addresses like test@mail.ru or test@rambler.ru. There have been cases where emails from these addresses did not reach the administrator. If you do not have an email with a domain name, you can create it using services like Gmail, Yandex, or Mail.ru for business.
We check the robots.txt file. The site is open and contains the necessary information for search engine robots.
The meta tags are correct: with the name of your website, not the solution. Have you hired freelancers? Check that there are no copies of the site in search engine indexes.
We check how much free space is available on the hosting: the size of the site multiplied by three. This is the minimum necessary volume for the correct operation of backup.
We check the backup settings - backup is performed in the 1C-Bitrix cloud.
We check the presence of Yandex.Metrica and Google Analytics counters, as well as the settings of e-commerce services, so that statistics are available from the very first day of launching the site.

Testing the system

Test the system to ensure the functionality is working properly. If necessary, fix any errors.
Conduct performance testing using the "Performance Monitor" tool.
Check the website loading speed.
Test all feedback forms. Notifications should come to both you as the site administrator and the user.
The general principle is the more items on the checklist, the better, especially for a busy online store or a large project.

The recommended minimum parameters are:
- at least 60 items for PHP 5.6 websites
- at least 100 items for PHP 7 websites.
Check the website loading speed.
Test all feedback forms. Notifications should come to both you as the site administrator and the user.

For online stores:

Make a test order to your personal email (not to the website administrator). Check if there are any problems during the order process: forms are filled correctly, locations are selected, validation masks for phone numbers and email addresses are working.
Separately check notifications about successful order placement: you received a beautiful email stating that your order has been processed, and the website administrator received an email about the order placed in the online store.
Test the one-click purchase form. This magic function can increase an online store's profit by 80%. We explain why in the presentation for one of our webinars. But it only works when the data is sent and you process it.
Test the integration with 1C. Make a test upload and check the accuracy of prices and stock. Prices and orders should be updated, and information about orders should be sent to 1C.
Check the settings of the online payment system:
- real requisites are specified
- the test mode is disabled. This is a very important point. There have been cases (fortunately, not in our practice) when orders were real, but the money received by the store owner was test money.
As a control check, make a test order for 1 ruble. Was the money deducted and credited to the account? Great: the online payment works correctly.

Check the content

The website has legal information: company name, address, TIN, OGRN.
Phone numbers are current - you can call them. The contact email address is working.
Information about offline stores is correct: addresses, contacts, map location, driving directions and hours of operation.
We check the product catalog: names and prices are correct, there are photos, descriptions, properties (specifications). If your online store has several types of prices (retail, for wholesalers), check that they are displayed correctly.
We check all content sections: news, articles, vacancies, FAQ, services, promotions. These pages should contain your up-to-date information. Demo content included in the delivery is absent.

Setting up marketing

We check the information about payment, delivery, online store - the main thing that inspires user trust.
Your advantages - in a prominent place: banners, teasers on the homepage and in the product card.
It is desirable to set up trigger mailings for abandoned carts, request for review on Yandex.Market (if the online store is registered there), reactivation message and letter with a list of promotions.
If there is no promotion at all, the user will decide that something is wrong with the online store. There are many opportunities: seasonal sale, sets and kits, gifts. Don't forget about the "Hit, recommend, novelty, promotion" stickers.