Most SEO problems are launch problems. Fix them before the domain flips. Use this 20-item checklist on every site North Star Global ships, and on any site you launch yourself.
Indexing and crawl
- Robots.txt allows important pages
- XML sitemap exists and is submitted in Search Console
- No accidental noindex on production
- Canonical tags point to the preferred URL
- HTTPS works with a clean certificate
On-page
- Unique title tag per page (primary keyword near the front when natural)
- Meta description that earns the click without clickbait
- One H1 that matches the page promise
- Internal links to key service and contact pages
- Image alt text that describes the image (not keyword spam)
Performance and UX
- Mobile layout checked on a real phone
- LCP under 2.5s on mobile where possible (why speed pays)
- Tap targets large enough for call and form buttons
- No intrusive popups on first load for mobile visitors
Conversion and tracking
- Click-to-call works
- Form test sent and received
- Analytics installed (GA4 or equivalent)
- Search Console property verified
Migrations and local
- 301 redirects from old URLs if you replaced a prior site
- NAP and Google Business Profile URL updated to the new site
Nice-to-haves after the checklist
- FAQ schema on pages with real FAQs
- Breadcrumbs on deeper pages
- Open Graph images for sharing
- 404 page with a path back to contact
Print this for your next launch
If you only do ten things, do: indexability, titles, mobile speed, form test, redirects, Search Console, analytics, H1 clarity, call button, GBP update.
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