Magento 2 Go-Live Checklist: Ensure a Smooth Site Launch

Suchit Patel October 11, 2023 0 Comments

Before launching a Magento 2 website, it is crucial to execute a meticulous pre-go-live procedure to guarantee smooth operations and minimize post-launch glitches and complications.

A comprehensive checklist plays a pivotal role in this process, serving as a valuable tool for conducting a rigorous quality assurance assessment.

These meticulous checks serve as the last line of defense for your e-commerce project, ensuring that everything is correctly configured.

When seeking impeccable Magento e-commerce solutions USA, adherence to this checklist becomes even more essential for a flawless website debut.

Magento 2 Go-Live Checklist

1. System Requirements

In order to launch your website successfully using Magento 2, it’s essential to ensure that your system meets specific requirements.

It includes components such as:

Operating system
PHP version
Redis & Varnish Cache

Apache & NGINX server support
Elasticsearch
PHP extensions
RabbitMQ

To ensure a smooth launch of your Magento 2 site,It’s vital to use the latest technology stack and meet these official software version requirements. This holds true for Magento e-commerce solutions USA, where adhering to these standards is equally important for a successful site deployment.

2. Create a Favicon

A favicon is a small but significant element for brand recognition. Adding a custom favicon in Magento 2 is straightforward. Simply navigate to Content > Design > Configuration, and under HTML Head options, upload your custom favicon. This seemingly minor detail can enhance your website’s branding and user navigation..

3. Check the Store URLs

Magento e-commerce solutions USA properly configured store URLs are essential. Ensure that URLs show a 200 OK status, and pay attention to www and HTTP/HTTPS status. It’s crucial to update base URLs stored in core_config_data to avoid unwanted redirects.

Additionally, make sure the store URLs are user-friendly and functional.

4. Transactional Emails

Emails serve as an effective means of connecting with your customers. Before launching your email campaigns, it’s crucial to review various email configurations.

To accomplish this, modify the store’s email address via the Admin sidebar by navigating to Stores > Settings > Configuration. This step ensures that your communication with customers is seamless and professional.

5. Check Product & Category pages

A well-organized product catalog is essential for a successful e-commerce site.

Ensure that product information, pricing, and images are optimized for all devices.

Verify that features like “Add to Cart” and “Add to Wishlist” are working correctly.

Remove any test products from the site and review product descriptions, filters, and sorting functions.

6. SEO Settings

SEO plays a crucial role in attracting organic traffic. Initially, set your Magento site to non-index/no-follow to prevent search engines from indexing it prematurely.

After launch, enable all SEO settings, including meta titles, meta descriptions, XML sitemaps, schema markup, and ensuring there are no broken links.

The primary SEO aspects to check are:

Meta title & meta descriptions
Configure Magento XML Sitemaps
Schema markup for better SERPs
Check for broken links in the site content
301 Redirects
High impact keywords for site content
Images & videos are optimized
Reviews & ratings

7. Shipping & Payment Methods

Configure and test shipping methods, including options like flat rate, free shipping, and various carriers like UPS, USPS, FedEx, and DHL.

Ensure that payment methods are well-configured, and consider Magento-recommended options like PayPal and Braintree.

Thoroughly Magento e-commerce solutions USA test payment methods for smooth transactions.

Also Read –> Magento vs. Shopify: A comprehensive guide

8. Tax Settings

Tax rules can be complex, so it’s essential to get them right.

Set taxes according to

locations
zones
product classes, and
customer classes

Ensure cross-border price consistency and comply with value-added tax (VAT) requirements if applicable. Magento e-commerce solutions USA review Magento’s configuration for Vertex tax calculations.

9. Customize the 404 Page

Instead of displaying a generic 404 error page, create a custom one to enhance the user experience.

Customize the page with a creative message and links to other relevant pages.

Configure the 404 error page under Stores > Configurations > Web > Default Pages.

10. Add Google Analytics

Utilize Google Analytics to track and analyze website traffic and performance. Configure Google tools under Stores > Configuration > Sales > Google API.

These tools provide valuable insights for

Marketing,
A/B testing, and
monitoring site progress

11. Check Performance

Website performance is critical for user experience and search engine ranking.

Test server-side components, server configuration, and Content Delivery Network (CDN) settings. Implement CSS/JS minification, full-page caching, and performance-enhancing modules.

Monitor performance closely, addressing any issues promptly.

Conclusion

Launching a Magento 2 e-commerce store is a complex process, but a well-organized checklist can simplify the task and ensure a successful go-live. Following these steps, Magento e-commerce solutions USA meticulously will help you create a robust and efficient online store that delivers a seamless shopping experience for your customers.