The Ultimate Shopify Store Launch Checklist: Your Guide to Going Live

You've poured your heart and soul into creating your new shopify store, from selecting the perfect theme to designing every detail. You've tirelessly worked through the development phase, and you're finally ready to launch. But before you take that leap, there's an important step you need to complete: the final check. 

In this blog, we'll be your launchpad as we guide you through a comprehensive Shopify Store launch checklist to ensure everything is in order. From functionality to security to payment and checkout options, we've got you covered. So, take a deep breath, put on your checklist hat, and let's go through the final steps to ensure your project is launch-ready. 

Get ready to dot your i's, cross your t's, and make sure everything is in line. After all, the launch is the most exciting part of the journey!

What is a Store Launch Checklist?

 

A checklist is akin to a trusty sidekick, accompanying you on your journey to success by providing a clear roadmap of crucial tasks and actions that must be completed. 

In simple words, a checklist is a simple and powerful list of specific items or tasks that must be checked off or completed to make sure that everything is in order. 

Need for a Checklist

The need for a shopify store launch checklist arises because there are often many small details that need to be taken care of during a project, and it can be easily overlooked during the process. 

A well-designed checklist can also help to streamline the communication and collaboration between the merchant and development team. By having a clear list of tasks and deadlines, all the teams(merchants, design, development, data entry) can work more efficiently and effectively, knowing exactly what is expected of them.

How it impacts Launch of an Online Store

Using a shopify store launch checklist also has a significant impact on your online store. By having a comprehensive shopify launch checklist of all the modules i.e product discovery, product selection, payments, notifications and delivery, the teams can ensure that all the necessary components are in place before the store goes live. This reduces the risk of errors, downtime, or unexpected issues that can harm the store’s reputation and lead to a loss of business.

When does a Store Going Live Checklist come into the picture?

Checklists can be used throughout the development process of a new Shopify store going live. However, they become particularly crucial during the pre-launch phap[uoio  se when the store is nearly ready to go live. At this point, a shopify launch checklist is used to ensure that all essential components, such as design elements, functionality, content, and integrations, are in place and functioning correctly. The checklist helps ensure that no critical items are missed before launching the store to the public.

That's where a comprehensive checklist comes in - it serves as a roadmap to ensure that all necessary steps are taken and everything is noticed in the process.

Common Shopify Launch Checklists 

Here is a detailed list of common checklists and sub-checklists for shopify store launch that must be addressed before going live:

Migration Checklist

• Customer Account Migration

  When migrating to a new ecommerce platform, it's important to ensure that customers can easily access their account information on the new platform. This includes transferring their personal information, order history, and other relevant data.

• Customer Address Migration

  Similarly, it's important to ensure that customer shipping and billing addresses are transferred accurately to the new platform. This helps ensure that customers can continue to receive their orders without any disruptions.

• Product Migration (Inventory + Price Updation)

  Product migration involves transferring product information such as descriptions, images, and prices, as well as ensuring that inventory levels are accurate on the new platform.

• Order Migration

  Order migration would refer to the specific task or set of tasks related to moving orders from an old platform to a new one. This can involve transferring order data, order history, and other related information to ensure a seamless transition for customers and the business. Order migration is a critical aspect of the migration process, and it requires careful planning and execution to ensure that all data is accurately transferred and that there is no loss of information during the transition.

• Categorization

   Categorizing products on the new platform can help customers find what they are looking for more easily. This involves organizing products into relevant categories and subcategories based on their attributes, such as product type, size, color, etc.

• Reviews Migration

  Customer reviews and ratings can be valuable social proof for products on an ecommerce website. Migrating these reviews to the new platform can help build trust with new customers and increase sales.

Tech Development Checklist

• URL Redirects

  Setting up URL redirects from the old website to the new one is important to ensure that customers can still find the products they are looking for, even if the URLs have changed.

• GA Pixel Connect

  Integrating Google Analytics tracking code is important to track website traffic, user behavior, and other important metrics that can help improve the website's performance.

• FB Pixel Integration

  Similarly, integrating Facebook pixel tracking code can help track website traffic and user behavior, as well as assist with targeted advertising campaigns.

• Shipping Slab Setup

  Configuring shipping rates and options based on different zones or regions can help ensure that customers are charged the correct shipping rates for their orders.

• Tax Setup

  Configuring tax rates for different products and regions is important to ensure that the correct taxes are charged on each order.

• Email Notification Hygiene Check

  Ensuring that all email notifications such as order confirmation and shipping notifications are functioning correctly and look professional to maintain customer trust and satisfaction.

• Payment Gateway Connect

  Connecting the website to a secure payment gateway is important to allow customers to make purchases easily and securely.

• Logistics App Integration

  Integrating a logistics app to manage shipping and delivery of orders can help streamline the fulfilment process and improve customer satisfaction.

• Return & Exchange App Connect

  Connecting a return and exchange app to the new website can help simplify the returns process for customers and improve customer satisfaction.

Theme Checklist

• Theme Responsiveness and Device Compatibility Check

  Ensuring that the website theme is responsive and works well on all devices is important to provide a consistent user experience across all devices.

• Content 

  Checking content on a theme checklist before a store goes live is an essential step in the process of launching an online store. It involves reviewing all the content that will appear on the website, such as text, images, and videos, to ensure it is accurate, up-to-date, and relevant to the store's products and services.

• Navigation Menu

  Desktop & Mobile - A user-friendly navigation menu is important to help customers find what they are looking for quickly and easily. This involves designing and implementing a navigation menu that is intuitive and easy to use, both on desktop and mobile devices.

• Technical Audit for Shopify Code Standards

  Shopify has specific technical standards that must be met for websites built on their platform. Conducting a technical audit can help ensure that the website's code meets these standards.

• Email Newsletter Signup Tool Connect

  Connecting an email newsletter signup tool to the website can help build an email list for marketing purposes and increase customer engagement.

• Order Tracking App for Customers

  Implementing an order-tracking app can improve customer satisfaction by allowing customers to track their orders. This is particularly important when dealing with many pending orders from a previous platform, which may require a tracking process. A well-designed app can streamline the tracking process and provide real-time updates, improving the customer experience and increasing productivity.

Nutshell

In a nutshell, having a Shopify store launch checklist is crucial for ensuring a smooth and successful business operation. While the development process is on closure we often miss following set guidelines for smooth and successful launch. Instead only launch becomes a priority and we chase success as the next step. By following the above guidelines, merchants can increase their chances of successfully launching a new shopify store.

At Marmeto, we aim to ensure the e-commerce store we build supports the objectives of your business. Knowing that the strategy you've chosen for your online store is of the highest caliber and that we'll provide an excellent user experience that leaves a lasting impression with effective conversion rates. 

Get in touch with us now!