Chapter 15: Going Live & Next Steps

Going Live & Next Steps. This is the moment your site stops being a “project in progress” and becomes a real, public-facing business tool for your freelance web design work in Hyderabad.

Think of this like launching a new shop in Banjara Hills: you do one last deep clean and safety check (launch checklist), open the shutters (make public), put up a signboard so people know you’re open (analytics + promotion), and plan for when business grows (scaling).

I’ll walk you through every step in detail, with realistic 2026 examples tailored to your site (webliance.in — freelance web design, portfolio, services in Hyderabad/Telangana).

Launch Checklist (Test on Mobile, Check Links, Speed Test)

Before anyone sees your site, run this thorough checklist. Do it in one focused session (1–2 hours).

1. Mobile Responsiveness (most important in India 2026)
   • Open site on your phone (Chrome → Menu → “Add to Home screen” or real device).
   • Test: Menu (hamburger works?), hero text readable without zoom, buttons tappable (at least 44×44px), forms easy to fill, images not overflowing.
   • Tools: Chrome DevTools (F12 → Toggle device toolbar → iPhone 12/ Pixel 6 emulation).
   • Fix: Theme blocks / Elementor responsive settings (mobile padding, hide desktop-only elements).
2. Check All Links & Functionality
   • Click every menu item, button, form, internal link.
   • Test contact form: Submit test message → Check inbox/spam (WPForms sends to your email).
   • External links open in new tab (rel=”noopener”).
   • 404 pages: Try fake URL (yoursite.com/thisdoesnotexist) → See nice 404 (customize in theme or plugin).
   • Example: Click “Services” → “Web Design” submenu → Contact button → Form submits → Email arrives.
3. Speed Test & Core Web Vitals
   • Tools (free 2026 standards):
     • Google PageSpeed Insights (pagespeed.web.dev) — aim 90+ mobile/desktop.
     • GTmetrix (gtmetrix.com) or WebPageTest.org.
   • Common fixes if low:
     • Enable LiteSpeed Cache (optimize images, minify CSS/JS).
     • Lazy load images (Smush/Wordfence).
     • Use WebP (already in Smush).
     • Cloudflare free CDN (Hostinger integrates easily).
   • Target: <3 seconds full load, Largest Contentful Paint <2.5s.
4. Visual & Content Polish
   • Grammar/spelling (use Grammarly or Hemingway app).
   • Consistent branding (colors, fonts).
   • Alt text on all images.
   • No “Coming Soon” or placeholder text.
5. Security & Backup Final Check
   • Last full backup (UpdraftPlus → Backup Now).
   • Malware scan (Wordfence/Solid).
   • 2FA enabled, strong password.
6. SEO Readiness
   • Rank Math green lights on key pages.
   • Sitemap submitted to Google Search Console.

Your example checklist run:

• Phone test: Menu slides in, form fields big enough.
• Speed: PageSpeed 92 mobile after LiteSpeed tweaks.
• Links: All work, form email received.
• Backup: Saved to Google Drive.

Making Your Site Public

By default, fresh sites may be hidden (privacy settings).

Steps to go live:

1. Settings → Reading
   • Uncheck “Discourage search engines from indexing this site” (if checked).
2. Remove any “Coming Soon” mode
   • If using a plugin like “Under Construction” or “SeedProd” → Deactivate or set to live.
   • Hostinger has maintenance mode — turn off in hPanel.
3. Clear all caches
   • LiteSpeed Cache → Toolbox → Purge All.
   • Browser cache (Ctrl+Shift+R).
   • Cloudflare if using (Purge Everything).
4. Final preview
   • Incognito window → yoursite.com → Looks perfect?
   • Ask 1–2 friends to visit and report issues.
5. Announce internally
   • Tell yourself: “Site is live!” → Share link with close contacts first.

Example: You uncheck the box → Clear cache → Open incognito → webliance.in loads fully branded, fast, no placeholders. You’re live!

Adding Google Analytics / Tracking

Track visitors to improve (which pages popular? Where from? Mobile vs desktop?).

Best free option 2026: Google Analytics 4 (GA4) + Google Tag Manager (optional).

Simple setup:

1. Go to analytics.google.com → Sign in with Google account.
2. Create Property → Web → Enter site name, URL (webliance.in).
3. Get Measurement ID (G-XXXXXXXXXX).
4. Add to site (easiest ways):
   • Rank Math (if using): Rank Math → Analytics → Connect Google → Paste Measurement ID.
   • Site Kit by Google plugin (free, official): Install → Connect Analytics → Follow wizard.
   • Manual: Appearance → Theme File Editor → header.php → Paste GA4 script before </head> (not recommended for beginners).
5. Verify: Wait 24–48 hours → GA4 → Realtime → Visit your site → See yourself.

Bonus: Add Google Search Console (already from Chapter 13) + link to GA4 for better insights.

Example: After setup, see in GA4: 15 visitors first day (friends/family), mostly mobile from Hyderabad, top page = Services.

Promoting Your New Website

Don’t wait for traffic — promote actively.

Immediate low-effort promotion (2026 India focus):

1. Social Media
   • Share on WhatsApp groups (family, friends, local business networks).
   • Post on LinkedIn: “Excited to launch Webliance – professional web design in Hyderabad! Check it out: webliance.in” + screenshot.
   • Instagram/Facebook: Reel showing before/after portfolio + link in bio.
2. Local Directories
   • Google Business Profile (claim if not done) → Add website link.
   • Justdial, Sulekha, IndiaMART → List services + website.
3. Email Signature
   • Add “Webliance – Web Design Hyderabad | webliance.in” to Gmail signature.
4. Content Sharing
   • Share first blog post on LinkedIn/Reddit (r/hyderabad, r/webdev).
   • Guest post on local blogs.
5. Paid boost (optional small budget)
   • Google Ads (₹500–2000 test) targeting “web design Hyderabad”.
   • Facebook/Instagram ads to local audience.

Example first promotion:

• WhatsApp status: “New website live! Need a professional site? Visit webliance.in”
• LinkedIn post: Portfolio screenshot + link → Gets 50 views, 3 inquiries.

Scaling Up: eCommerce (WooCommerce), Membership Sites, Advanced Customizations

Once live and getting leads, grow bigger.

1. eCommerce with WooCommerce (free plugin)
   • Install WooCommerce → Run setup wizard.
   • Add products/services (e.g., “Basic Website Package ₹15,000”).
   • Payments: Razorpay (India favorite), PayU, Stripe.
   • Example: Sell digital products (templates, maintenance plans).
2. Membership / Courses
   • Plugins: Paid Memberships Pro (free tier), LearnDash / LifterLMS (courses).
   • Example: Offer “Web Design Masterclass” for aspiring freelancers.
3. Advanced Customizations
   • Custom post types (e.g., “Projects”) → Use CPT UI plugin.
   • Child theme for code edits.
   • API integrations (WhatsApp Business API for chat).
   • Headless WordPress + Next.js (if going pro).

Next steps after launch:

• Week 1: Monitor GA4 + Search Console.
• Month 1: Get first client testimonial → Add to site.
• Ongoing: Publish 1–2 blog posts/month → Build authority.
• When ready: Consider premium theme/plugins (Astra Pro, Rank Math Pro).

You did it! From zero to live professional site.

Questions?

• Want help with GA4 setup screenshots?
• First promotion ideas for Hyderabad?
• Or review your site (tell me the URL if comfortable)?

I’m proud of how far you’ve come — now go get those clients! 🚀 If you want, share what your site looks like or any final tweaks.