Originally published June 2018 | Updated November 2026
It’s been weeks, if not months, in the making. After all the planning, designing, developing and tweaking, your brand new WordPress website is finally live!
Exciting, isn’t it?
But before you sit back and admire your shiny new website, there are a few practical things worth checking to make sure everything is working properly and you’re ready for what comes next.
Here are my top tips for looking after your new website once it’s launched.
1. Check everything is working as it should
Your website might have looked perfect during development, but it’s always worth having a final look around once it’s live.
Visit your website on your computer, mobile phone and tablet. Check that your pages display correctly, the navigation makes sense and important buttons take visitors where they’re supposed to go.
Pay particular attention to your contact forms. Send a test enquiry and make sure it arrives in the correct inbox.
If your website includes an online shop, booking system or other interactive features, check those too.
After all, there’s little point having a fantastic new website if potential customers can’t get in touch!
2. Make sure your domain name is properly managed
Your domain name is your website address, and it’s an important part of your business identity.
Whether you’ve registered a brand new domain or already own one, make sure it’s registered in your name and that you know who is responsible for its renewal.
There’s nothing worse than discovering your domain has expired because a renewal notification went to an old email address!
I can manage domain registrations, renewals and DNS settings for my clients, but the important thing is that your domain remains registered to you.
3. Get comfortable using WordPress
One of the biggest advantages of WordPress is that you don’t need to be a web developer to make everyday content changes.
You can update text, replace photographs, publish new articles and keep your business information current through the WordPress content management system.
When I build a WordPress website, I want my clients to feel confident managing their own content rather than having to pay for every little alteration.
Of course, not everyone has the time or inclination to make changes themselves!
If your website is hosted and managed by me, I can also help with content updates, new pages, images and other improvements through my separate DFX Website Support service.
4. Know who’s looking after your website behind the scenes
Just because your website is live doesn’t mean the technical work is finished.
WordPress websites need ongoing maintenance, reliable hosting and regular attention to keep everything running smoothly.
Every new WordPress website I host is covered by a DFX Website Care package.
There are two options:
- DFX Essential Website Care includes managed UK hosting, weekly backups, WordPress software updates and security monitoring.
- DFX Pro Website Care provides additional protection, including daily backups, malware scanning and technical website support.
These services are available exclusively for WordPress websites hosted and managed by Design FX Studio. If your existing website is hosted elsewhere, I would first need to assess whether it can be migrated to my managed hosting environment.
For a closer look at why ongoing maintenance is important, read my article on what happens if you don’t maintain your business website.
5. Keep your website information up to date
Your business isn’t going to stand still, and neither should your website.
Services change, team members come and go, new projects are completed and sometimes prices or contact details need updating.
Make a habit of checking your website periodically to ensure the information is still accurate.
Adding recent projects, customer testimonials, helpful advice or new service information can also give visitors more reasons to explore your website.
You don’t need to publish new content constantly. It’s far more important that whatever you publish is genuinely useful to your customers.
6. Start getting your new website noticed
You’ve invested in a professional website, but people still need to know it exists!
A new website doesn’t automatically jump to the top of Google, and even a beautifully designed site needs ongoing promotion if you want it to generate enquiries.
There are plenty of straightforward things you can do, including updating your Google Business Profile, telling existing customers about your website and sharing it through your social media accounts.
I’ve covered these ideas in much more detail in my article on how to market your recently launched website.
It’s worth a read if you’re wondering where to start!
Your website is live — now make the most of it!
Launching a website is an exciting milestone for any business, whether you’re starting something completely new or replacing an outdated website.
With the right arrangements in place, you can concentrate on keeping your content relevant, promoting your services and making the most of your investment.
And if you’re considering a new WordPress website design, I can help with everything from the initial design and development through to managed hosting and ongoing Website Care.
