Building a website is just the beginning.

So, you’ve built a website—congratulations! Now, how do you get it online and running seamlessly? While there are some technical steps involved, the process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a little preparation and the right guidance, your launch can go smoothly. Here are some key things to keep in mind when preparing to bring your website live.

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Essential Access for Your Website Launch

To successfully launch your new site, you (or your development team) will need access to a few key accounts:

Domain Registrar – This is where your domain (website URL) is registered.
Hosting Provider – This is where your website files will be stored and served to visitors.

Providing these credentials in advance helps avoid delays and ensures a faster, hassle-free transition.

Minimizing Downtime

During the migration process, there may be a brief period where your site is temporarily unavailable. While this downtime is usually minimal, planning ahead can help reduce any potential disruptions. Factors such as website traffic and time of day can affect the speed of migration, so choosing a low-traffic period for the transition can make a big difference. We can work with you to schedule the best possible time to minimize downtime and ensure a smooth transition.

Understanding DNS Propagation

When your website launches, updates are made to the Domain Name System (DNS) to direct visitors to the new site. These changes need time to propagate across the internet, which means that some users might see your new site immediately, while others may still see the old version for a short period. This is completely normal and varies depending on internet service providers. We can help you anticipate this process and ensure everything is configured correctly.

Handling Email Accounts

If you have email accounts associated with your domain (e.g., [email protected]), updates to your email records may be required. This could result in a temporary disruption to email services while the changes take effect. After the site launch, it’s a good idea to test your email functionality to ensure everything is working smoothly. If any issues arise, we can assist with troubleshooting and configuration.

SSL Certificates: Ensuring a Secure Site

Security matters! If you want your website to show as secure in browsers and display HTTPS in the URL, you’ll need an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate. If you’re launching a brand-new site, this may need to be installed. If you’re migrating an existing site, the SSL may require reinstallation or renewal. While it may take a short time for the security designation to update, rest assured that this process is manageable, and we can assist in ensuring your site remains secure.

Testing Your Links

After launching your site, it’s important to double-check that all links are working correctly. If your site was previously on a test domain (e.g., test.yourdomain.com) and is now live at yourdomain.com, some links may need updating. A quick review of your navigation, internal links, and buttons can help catch any issues before they impact your visitors. If anything isn’t working as expected, we can help resolve it promptly.

Ongoing Maintenance and Hosting Considerations

Once your site is live, keeping it running smoothly requires ongoing maintenance, security updates, and domain renewals. Many businesses use separate services for web design and hosting, but a unified approach often makes things easier. Having the same team that built your site also manage your hosting ensures that any future updates, troubleshooting, or security concerns are handled quickly and efficiently. If you’re looking for a hassle-free solution, we offer hosting and maintenance services to keep your website performing at its best.

Launching a New Site