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The ecommerce website launch checklist for 2026

Most launch-day problems are small and predictable: a shipping rate that doesn’t cover the parcel, a policy page left as a template, a checkout that fails on a phone. Work through these checks before you announce the store.

StoreBuild editorial team · 8 min read

Published

Recommendations here are our editorial judgement from the documented facts — not rankings, test results or scores. We haven’t tested these platforms hands-on.

How to use this

Run it on a phone and a computer

Go through every check on at least one phone and one computer, ideally with someone who hasn’t seen the store before. Fresh eyes catch confusing wording you’ve stopped noticing.

The items apply to Shopify, Wix and WooCommerce alike; where they work differently, the table below points to the relevant documentation.

This is editorial guidance based on the official documentation listed below. We haven’t tested every feature hands-on, we don’t quote prices (check each provider’s current pricing page), and availability can depend on your plan, country, theme, app or plugin.

Products and content

Tick these off before you commit.

  • Every product has an accurate title, description, price, variants and stock level.
  • Photos show the real product, are sharp, and include scale or detail shots where helpful.
  • Images have meaningful alternative text for people using screen readers.
  • Sizes, materials, compatibility or care instructions are stated where they matter.
  • Placeholder text, demo products and sample images from the theme are removed.

Checkout and payments

Tick these off before you commit.

  • A real test order has been placed with each payment method you offer.
  • A refund has been issued on a test order and shows correctly in your records.
  • Taxes are calculated as your obligations require for the places you sell to.
  • Order confirmation and shipping emails are sent, branded and accurate.
  • Payout details are set up and you know when the provider pays out.

Shipping and fulfilment

Tick these off before you commit.

  • Shipping zones cover only the places you can actually deliver to.
  • Rates are checked against a real packed parcel’s weight and size.
  • Delivery-time promises match what you and your carrier can achieve.
  • Packaging, labels and a returns process are ready before the first order.

Speed, accessibility and search

Tick these off before you commit.

  • Pages load reasonably on a mobile connection; large images are compressed and sized.
  • Text has enough contrast, buttons are reachable by keyboard, and forms have labels.
  • Each page has a unique, descriptive title and meta description.
  • Your sitemap is available and submitted in Google Search Console.
  • Old URLs (if you’re replacing a site) redirect to the closest new page.
  • The store isn’t still password-protected or set to discourage search engines.

Measurement and support

Tick these off before you commit.

  • Analytics or built-in store reports record visits and orders.
  • You’ve decided which two or three numbers you’ll review weekly.
  • Someone checks the contact inbox daily during launch week.
  • Backups are in place (especially for self-hosted WooCommerce).

Based on official documentation

Where the platform-specific checks live

Settings names and locations change; follow the linked documentation for your version.

  • Built in
  • Needs an eligible paid plan
  • Via an app (may have its own fees)
  • Via a WordPress plugin or extension
  • Depends on your host
  • Your responsibility
Shipping zones and rates
ShopifyShipping and delivery settings (Built in)
WixShipping, delivery and pickup settings (Built in)
WooCommerceShipping zones in WooCommerce settings (Built in)
Backups and updates
ShopifyPlatform handled by Shopify; back up your own content exports (Built in)
WixPlatform handled by Wix (Built in)
WooCommerceYour host or a backup plugin; you apply updates (Depends on your host)
Product structured data
ShopifyDepends on your theme (Your responsibility)
WixCheck Wix’s current SEO settings for products (Your responsibility)
WooCommerceCore output varies; SEO plugins often add more (Via a WordPress plugin or extension)

Common questions

Keep exploring

Official sources

Platform facts on this page reference the documentation below. Features, plans and availability change — check the provider before you decide.