Launching a website is an exciting milestone, but before going live, it’s crucial to conduct a series of functionality checks to ensure everything operates smoothly. In the realm of website development, skipping even a small step can lead to significant issues later, impacting user experience and site performance. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the seven most important checks you should complete before your launch.
Test All Forms
Forms are the backbone of user interaction on your website. Whether it’s a contact form, sign-up form, or checkout form, they all need to function flawlessly.
Contact Forms
Make sure your contact forms are submitting data correctly. After the user hits “Submit,” they should see a confirmation message or be redirected to a thank-you page. Also, ensure that you receive the submissions in the designated email inbox or CRM system.
Sign-Up Forms
Sign-up forms should not only capture user data but also store it correctly in your database. Test these forms on various devices, especially mobile, to ensure they’re responsive and easy to fill out. The last thing you want is to lose potential subscribers because the form doesn’t work on a smartphone.
Checkout Forms
If your site involves e-commerce, your checkout forms are critical. These forms should securely process payment details and should be tested with different payment methods to ensure everything works smoothly. Double-check that all mandatory fields are functioning and that the user receives a confirmation email or receipt after their purchase.
Validate Payment Gateway
If your site handles transactions, validating your payment gateway is essential.
Sandbox Testing
Before going live, use the sandbox environment provided by your payment gateway to simulate transactions. This allows you to test the entire payment process in a controlled setting. Keep an eye out for common issues like failed transactions or incorrect processing of discount codes.
Live Environment Testing
Once sandbox testing is complete, perform a few test transactions in the live environment. This ensures that the payment gateway processes real transactions correctly, and that customers receive the appropriate notifications and receipts.
Verify Search Functionality
A good search function helps users find what they need quickly. However, if it doesn’t work properly, it can frustrate users and lead to higher bounce rates.
Relevance of Search Results
Test the search function to ensure it returns relevant results. For instance, if a user searches for “blue t-shirts,” they should not see results for “red shoes.” Fine-tune your search algorithm to prioritize relevance.
Handling No Results
When a search yields no results, the user should be provided with helpful suggestions or a friendly message. Instead of just showing “No results found,” offer related products or suggest alternative search terms.
Performance Under Load
Test your search functionality under different load conditions. If your website has a lot of content, make sure the search is fast and responsive, even with a large database.
Test Third-Party Integrations
Third-party integrations like email marketing tools, CRM systems, and analytics are vital for tracking and engaging users. However, they need to be tested thoroughly.
Email Marketing Tools
Ensure that any email captures from forms are correctly synced with your email marketing tools. Test whether new subscribers are added to the appropriate lists and that they receive any welcome emails or automation sequences as intended.
CRM Integration
If your website integrates with a CRM system, verify that all customer data flows correctly between your site and the CRM. This includes checking for proper tagging, data entry, and follow-up sequences.
Analytics and Tracking
Your analytics and tracking codes are essential for understanding user behavior. Make sure all tracking codes, such as Google Analytics or Facebook Pixel, are properly installed and firing on the correct pages. Verify that you’re capturing the correct data to help you make informed decisions post-launch.
Check User Account Functionality
If your website allows users to create accounts, this functionality needs to be airtight.
User Registration Process
Test the registration process from start to finish, ensuring it’s easy for users to create an account. Verify that all data is correctly stored and that the user receives confirmation emails.
Login and Authentication
Check the login process, including password resets and multi-factor authentication (if used). Make sure that the system can handle these functions smoothly without errors.
Account Management Features
`Once logged in, users should be able to manage their accounts without hassle. Test functionalities such as updating personal information, changing passwords, and viewing order history (for e-commerce sites).
Assess Navigation and Usability
Good navigation is key to a positive user experience. Your website should be easy to navigate, with all menus, links, and buttons working as expected.
Menu Structure
Review the website’s menu structure to ensure it’s logical and user-friendly. Users should be able to find the information they need with minimal clicks. Test this on different devices to ensure the menu adapts well to smaller screens.
Link Functionality
Check that all internal and external links are working. Broken links not only frustrate users but can also hurt your SEO efforts. Use tools to help automate this process, especially if your site has many pages.
Mobile Navigation
Test your website’s navigation on various devices, including smartphones and tablets. Ensure that the mobile menu is easy to access and that all elements are clickable without requiring excessive zooming.
Ensure Proper Internal Linking
Internal linking is crucial for both SEO and user experience. It aids users in navigating your site more effectively and enhances your search engine rankings. As a Digital marketing company, we prioritize strategic internal linking to improve site usability and boost your visibility online.
Logical Structure
Review your internal links to make sure they follow a logical structure that supports your website’s SEO strategy. Links should guide users through related content seamlessly.
Avoiding Broken Links
Run a thorough check to ensure there are no broken internal links on your site. These can lead to 404 errors, which are not only frustrating for users but can also negatively impact your site’s search engine ranking.
Contextual Linking
Incorporate contextual links within your content. These links should direct users to related topics or pages, encouraging them to engage more with your site. As a Web development company, we understand how strategically placed links can enhance user experience and keep visitors exploring your content longer.
Conclusion
Launching a website without thorough functionality checks is like driving a car without testing the brakes. At our web development company in India, we meticulously test forms, payment gateways, search functionality, third-party integrations, user accounts, navigation, and internal linking to ensure your site provides a seamless user experience from day one. Investing time in these checks can help you avoid potential headaches and lost opportunities down the road.
FAQs
How often should I re-test my website after launch?
You should perform regular checks, especially after updates or changes to ensure everything remains functional.
What tools can help automate some of these checks?
Tools like Google Analytics, SEMrush, and automated testing scripts can help monitor and maintain your website’s functionality.
Why is sandbox testing crucial before going live?
Sandbox testing allows you to catch errors in a controlled environment, ensuring they don’t affect real users.
How can I ensure my forms are mobile-friendly?
Test your forms on multiple devices and screen sizes, and use responsive design principles to ensure they work seamlessly.
What should I do if I find issues after the website is live?
Address any issues immediately, prioritizing those that impact user experience or security. Keep a backup of your site to revert to if needed.
