It’s fall—my absolute favorite time of year! This season embodies coziness, and who doesn’t love cozying up with a hot latte, comfy sweater, and a soft fleece blanket? Plus, it’s my wedding anniversary—shoutout to my wonderful husband and partner in all things digital, Tony! ?
As we prepare for the new season—pulling out our sweaters, decorating for fall, and adjusting our schedules—it’s essential to remember that preparation is key when launching your website.
If your site’s URL isn’t set up correctly—whether it’s www or non-www—you risk potential visitors not finding you at all. Having an experienced team that understands the correct configurations and knows the right questions to ask makes a world of difference.
Important Tips for a Smooth Website Launch
- Accurate DNS Configuration: Ensure your DNS settings are correctly configured, whether using www or non-www. Double-check that both versions of your site point to the same location to avoid any accessibility issues.
- Set Up Redirects: Set up redirects to guide visitors and search engines from old URLs to new ones, helping maintain your SEO. You should set up redirects if your url changes, you have deleted pages, you’re rebranding, or consolidating pages. In any of these cases, redirects help visitors and search engines find the right content without encountering errors.
- SEO Optimization: Make sure your site is optimized for search engines from day one. Use relevant keywords, meta tags, and alt texts for images to improve your visibility and help potential visitors find you.
- Backup and Security: Set up regular backups and robust security measures. Use security plugins and ensure your hosting provider offers reliable protection to safeguard your site from potential threats.
Expert Tip
Whenever you’re switching DNS settings, be sure to take a screenshot of the current configurations. This step is crucial because you may need to revert changes later, and if email records are accidentally deleted, it can lead to significant issues and downtime.
Key Questions to Ask Before Launching:
- Is your website’s primary domain set to www or non-www?
- Have you verified that both versions of your site are correctly configured and verified with your hosting provider?
Weekly Website Tips to Brew on
1. Enable OG Tags for Social Sharing
Make sure you’ve enabled Open Graph (OG) tags. These tags dictate how your content appears when shared on social media, ensuring your titles and images entice clicks. Without them, you risk fading into the background of a busy news feed.
2. Choose Your Hosting Wisely
Let’s talk about hosting—it’s your foundation. You wouldn’t build a house on a cracked foundation, right? The choice of your hosting provider impacts everything from speed to security. Opt for a reliable service with great support; I personally recommend Kinsta for its exceptional performance and reliability.
3. Focus on On-Page SEO: Avoid embedding text in images.
Google can’t read what’s in your visuals, so instead of adding images with text, it’s best to use images without text and add the text on the page. This practice not only enhances your on-page SEO but also makes your content more accessible.
To sum it up
Remember to ask the right questions and take proactive steps to avoid any pitfalls along the way. With a thoughtful approach and the right team by your side, you can successfully launch your website. Cheers to a fruitful season of growth and connection—and website success! ?
Leaving you with a delicious new latte recipe for you try:
Chai Tea Latte
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 2 teaspoons loose chai tea or 1 chai tea bag
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- A pinch of ground ginger (optional)
- Whipped cream (optional)
- Cinnamon stick for garnish (optional)
Cheers ☕ !
