Pain points of a website project and how to remove them

Launching a new website is a monumental task. Whether you’re a business owner embarking on a rebrand or a marketing manager overseeing a digital transformation, the journey from concept to a live, functional site is lined with potential hurdles. The process is often segmented into three critical phases – pre-go-live, go-live and post-launch. Each stage presents its own unique set of challenges that can derail timelines, blow budgets and impact performance.

Understanding these common pain points and how to proactively address them is the key to a smooth, successful website project. We’ll walk you through the typical obstacles encountered during a website launch and provide actions to eliminate them, ensuring your project is a resounding success.

What are the pain points of pre-go-live, and how to fix them

The pre-launch phase is all about planning and preparation. Mistakes made here have a domino effect, so it’s crucial to get it right.

Pre-Launch Pain Points

• Unclear goals and scope creep – The most common issue is starting without a clear vision. Vague goals, such as “make it modern”, lead to endless revisions and scope creep, where new features are constantly added, inflating the budget and timeline.
• Poor content strategy – Waiting until the design is finished to start writing content is a massive bottleneck. Content should drive design, not the other way around.
• Ignoring SEO foundations – Forgetting to plan for on-page SEO (URL structure, metadata, schema markup) during web development can result in costly retrofits later.
• Inadequate testing – Rushing through quality assurance (QA) testing leads to a bug-ridden site at launch.

How to Fix Them

• Define a detailed project scope – Before any web design begins, document everything. Define business goals, target audience, key functionalities and the exact deliverables on a timeline. Have a formal process for approving any changes to this scope.
• Start with content – Develop a content strategy and create a first draft of your key pages before the web designer begins. This ensures the layout is designed to convey the key messages that need to be communicated effectively.
• Integrate SEO from day one – Involve an SEO expert during the planning phase. Plan your site architecture, URL slugs and metadata as part of the initial web development process.
• Implement rigorous QA – Test early and test often. Use a structured testing protocol that includes functionality across browsers and devices, form submissions, speed tests and user acceptance testing (UAT) with real users.

What are the pain points of go-live, and how to fix them

The go-live moment is the big switch. It’s often stressful, but with the right preparation, it can be anticlimactic in the best way possible.

Website Launch Pain Points

• DNS propagation delays – Changing your domain’s nameservers to point to the new host can take up to 48 hours to propagate globally, causing temporary downtime or access issues for some users.
• Broken links and redirects – Forgetting to implement 301 redirects from old URLs to new ones is a cardinal sin. It leads to 404 errors, a poor user experience and a significant loss of SEO equity.
• Last-minute bugs – Despite thorough testing, a last-minute issue often arises when the site is live on the server.
• Server overload – A new launch might attract a surge of traffic that overwhelms the hosting server, causing it to crash.

How to Fix Them

• Plan the DNS cutover – Schedule the DNS change for a time of low traffic (e.g late evening or weekends). Lower the TTL (Time to Live) values of your DNS records a few days in advance to speed up propagation.
• Meticulously map redirects – Before launch, export all old URLs and map each one to its corresponding new URL. This redirect file should be ready to implement the moment the new site goes live.
• Have a launch checklist – Create a go-live checklist that includes every single task, from final backup to clearing caches. This ensures nothing is forgotten in the heat of the moment.
• Stress test and choose robust hosting – Discuss traffic expectations with your web design agency or domain host. Ensure your hosting plan can handle any expected traffic spikes and consider using a Content Delivery Network (CDN) for optimal global performance.

What are the pain points of post-launch, and how to fix them

The work isn’t over once the site is live. The post-launch phase is about optimisation, maintenance and growth.

Post-Launch Pain Points

• No post-launch monitoring – Assuming everything is perfect after launch and walking away. Performance issues or bugs can appear under real-world conditions.
• Stagnation – Letting the site sit for years without updates. An outdated site hurts credibility and security.
• Ignoring analytics – Not tracking how the new site is performing means you can’t measure ROI or identify areas for improvement.
• Lack of training – Your team lacks the knowledge to update the new Content Management System (CMS), resulting in frustration and a reliance on developers for minor text changes.

How to Fix Them

• Monitor relentlessly – For the first two weeks, closely monitor site performance, form completions, console errors (using browser tools) and SEO rankings. Tools like Google Search Console and uptime monitors are essential.
• Implement a maintenance plan – Establish a regular schedule for updating the CMS core, plugins and themes to patch security vulnerabilities and ensure compatibility.
• Analyse and Iterate – Use Google Analytics to track key metrics like traffic, bounce rate and conversions. Use this data to make informed decisions about A/B testing and future content.
• Request comprehensive training – A good web design agency will provide detailed training and documentation for your team on how to use the new CMS effectively.

Why you should trust a web design agency with your new website project

Navigating these pain points alone is a formidable challenge. This is where partnering with a professional web design agency, such as Extramile Digital, proves invaluable. An experienced agency won’t just build a site and leave you to it; they’ll help you navigate the challenges of post-launch so you can get the most from your new website.

They bring:

• Proven methodologies – They have structured processes for each phase, preventing scope creep and ensuring thorough testing.
• Cross-functional expertise – A good agency offers a team of strategists, designers, developers and SEO specialists who work together seamlessly.
• Experience with launching a website – They’ve done this dozens or hundreds of times. They know the common pitfalls and have checklists and protocols to avoid them.
• Ongoing support – They become a long-term partner for hosting, maintenance and future iterations, providing peace of mind long after the initial launch.

Our final thoughts

Launching a website is a complex marathon. The pain points are predictable, but they are also entirely manageable with foresight, planning and expertise. By recognising the challenges inherent in each phase, you can take proactive steps to mitigate them.

The single most effective strategy to ensure a smooth journey is to choose the right partner. A skilled web design agency acts as your guide, leveraging its experience to navigate these challenges efficiently. By investing in a thorough process and a trusted team, you transform the stressful ordeal of a website launch into a strategic step forward for your business.

Planning a new website for your business? Speak to our experts today to discuss your next project.

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