Website Launch Checklist: 25 Points

Block 1. Technical Setup (Points 1–7)

Technical errors are invisible to the eye but devastating for conversions and Google rankings. Check every point before sharing the link with a client or launching paid ads.

• 1. SSL Certificate. The address must start with https://. Chrome flags HTTP sites as "Not Secure" — this instantly drives away potential customers.
• 2. Page Load Speed. Check in Google PageSpeed Insights. Target score on mobile: 70 or above. Sites slower than 3 seconds lose up to 40% of visitors. More details in the guide Website Speed: How It Kills Your Sales and Google Rankings.
• 3. Mobile Version. Open the site on a real smartphone (iOS and Android). All buttons must be tappable, text readable without zooming, and forms fully functional. In the UAE, over 80% of traffic comes from mobile devices. See the guide Mobile Website: Why 80% of Clients Come from Their Phone.
• 4. Broken Links and Redirects. Use Screaming Frog or Ahrefs Webmaster to find 404 errors. Every broken link is a penalty signal for Google.
• 5. www / non-www. One version of the URL must redirect to the other via a 301 redirect — otherwise Google treats them as two separate websites.
• 6. Favicon and Browser Tab Title. A small detail that signals professionalism to every visitor.
• 7. Cross-Browser Compatibility. Test in Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Edge. Safari on iPhone is the dominant browser in the UAE.

Block 2. Content and Conversion (Points 8–14)

A technically sound website without the right content simply does not convert. This block covers what the client sees — and whether it motivates them to call or message you.

• 8. WhatsApp Button. A fixed button in the bottom-right corner is a non-negotiable element for the UAE market. Without it you lose the majority of mobile leads. Read the guide WhatsApp Leads from Your Website.
• 9. Contact Details. Phone number (UAE: +971), office address (if applicable), email and social media links — in the header or footer on every page.
• 10. Contact Forms. Verify that every form submits data correctly, that you receive a notification, and that the user sees a success message. Test from a real device.
• 11. Error-Free Copy. Typos undermine trust. Read all text aloud or run it through Grammarly or LanguageTool. Tips in the guide Selling Website Copy: Formula, Examples, Mistakes.
• 12. Prices in AED. If you display prices, show them in dirhams. Prices in USD or without a currency label reduce trust among the local audience.
• 13. Images and Alt Tags. Photos must be sharp and optimised (WebP format, under 200 KB). Every image must have an alt attribute filled in the appropriate language.
• 14. Home Page Structure. Check for a clear offer, social proof (reviews, case studies) and a call to action (CTA). See the template in the guide Structure of a Converting Home Page.

Block 3. SEO Fundamentals (Points 15–19)

SEO fundamentals are not about promotion — they are the minimum configuration without which Google cannot index your site properly. Set up once, but critical from day one.

• 15. Title and Description Meta Tags. Every page needs a unique title (up to 60 characters) and description (120–160 characters) containing target keywords. Check with the SEO Meta in 1 Click browser extension.
• 16. Sitemap.xml. The file must be accessible at yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml and include all public pages. Submit it to Google Search Console.
• 17. Robots.txt. Make sure the file does not block important pages from indexing. A common mistake: the developer left Disallow: / in place after testing.
• 18. Google Search Console. Add the site, verify ownership and submit the sitemap. It is a free tool for monitoring indexing and crawl errors. More on SEO in the UAE in the guide SEO Promotion in Dubai.
• 19. H1–H3 Heading Structure. Every page must have exactly one H1 containing the primary keyword phrase. The heading hierarchy must be logical — H1 → H2 → H3 — with no levels skipped.

Block 4. Analytics (Points 20–21)

Without analytics you have no idea where clients are coming from, which pages are underperforming, or where your ad budget is going. Two tools are the bare minimum for any business in the UAE.

• 20. Google Analytics 4. Install the GA4 tag on all pages. Set up key events: form submission, WhatsApp button click, contact page visit. Verify in real-time mode that data is flowing in. Full walkthrough in the guide GA4 and Clarity: Website Analytics Without the Fuss.
• 21. Microsoft Clarity. A free heatmap and session-recording tool. It shows where visitors click, where they get stuck and what they ignore. Especially valuable in the first 2–4 weeks after launch. Installation takes one code snippet in the site's <head> — about 5 minutes.

After launch, confirm in GA4 that conversion events are being recorded. Without this, your advertising data will be incomplete. If the site is integrated with a CRM, verify that leads are entering the system correctly. Details in the guide Lead Automation: WhatsApp → CRM.

Block 5. Legal Requirements and UAE Specifics (Points 22–25)

Legal requirements and local UAE specifics are the block most often skipped. Missing mandatory elements erodes trust and can attract scrutiny from regulators.

• 22. Privacy Policy. A dedicated page describing: what data the site collects, why it is collected and how it is stored. Required if you have forms, analytics or cookies. The UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on Personal Data Protection (PDPL) applies.
• 23. Cookie Banner. If the site uses GA4, Clarity, Facebook Pixel or any other tracking cookies, users must see a notice on their first visit with the option to opt out.
• 24. Arabic Version. The UAE is home to over 3 million Arabic-speaking residents. A site without an Arabic version loses a significant share of that audience. Even translating key pages builds trust and improves rankings in local SEO. More in the guides Multilingual Website in Dubai and How to Translate Your Website into English and Arabic.
• 25. Google Business Profile and Payment Gateway. Create and verify a Google Business Profile — it is a free source of leads and a key factor for appearing in local search results. If the site accepts payments, connect Tap Payments or Telr: they process UAE bank cards faster and more reliably than Stripe. Details in the guide Online Payments in the UAE: Stripe, Tap, Telr.

If you are accepting a website from a contractor, run through the checklist together before making the final payment. A reliable contractor will address all 25 points independently. For guidance on choosing a web studio in Dubai, see the guide How to Choose a Web Studio.

Norvalio builds websites for businesses in the UAE and conducts technical audits of existing sites. If you are unsure whether your site is ready to launch, order an audit or a new website. Website development for small businesses starts from AED 3,500, with delivery from 7 working days. Current packages are on the Norvalio offers page.