Launching your website is a big achievement - but going live is really just the start of your website’s journey. There are a few things that happen behind the scenes once your site is published and there are ongoing steps to keep your website performing at its best.
Whether you’re a business owner with no technical background or someone familiar with web development, this article breaks down what happens after launch and what you should be thinking about going forward.
1. Indexing: How Google Finds (and Lists) Your Website
After your website goes live, search engines like Google need to find it before it can show up in search results. This process is called indexing.
Google’s bots (also known as “crawlers”) visit your website, scan its content and add it to their search index — basically a huge database of websites. But this doesn’t happen instantly. It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for your site to appear in search results.
You can help this process along by:
- Submitting your site’s URL to Google Search Console
- Creating and submitting a sitemap (a roadmap of your site’s pages)
- Making sure your site is linked from other reputable websites (known as ‘backlinks’)
Keep in mind, even after your site is indexed, it won’t necessarily appear on page one of Google. That’s where SEO comes in — but we’ll get to that shortly.
2. Website Maintenance: Keeping Things Running Smoothly
Just like a car needs regular servicing, your website needs ongoing maintenance to stay healthy and secure.
Key maintenance tasks include:
- Checking for broken links and errors
- Testing contact forms to ensure they are working correctly
- Adding new content or updating existing content when needed
- Applying framework or platform updates for improved security and performance
Neglecting maintenance can lead to slow performance, security vulnerabilities, or even your site going offline. If your site is custom-built, it’s a good idea to stay in touch with your developer for regular check-ins.
3. Ongoing SEO: It’s Not a One-Time Job
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is about helping people find your site on search engines, like Google or Bing. While some SEO work is done before launch — like optimising page titles, descriptions and content — it’s not a set-and-forget process.
Ongoing SEO might include:
- Adding fresh content (like blog posts or news updates)
- Adjusting keywords based on search trends
- Optimising page speed and mobile performance
- Fixing technical SEO issues flagged by tools like Google Search Console
- Building backlinks (getting other sites to link to yours)
Why fresh content matters:
Regularly updating your website signals to Google that your site is active and relevant. Search engines tend to favour sites that are kept up to date, so publishing new content from time to time can help with visibility and rankings. It also gives visitors a reason to return to your site.
SEO is a long-term effort. The more consistent you are, the better your chances of improving your site’s ranking over time.
4. Optional Post-Launch Actions You Might Want to Consider
After your site is live, you might find opportunities to build on its success. Some options include:
- Adding new features or sections as your business grows
- Collecting feedback from users to see what works and what could be improved
- Running social media campaigns to drive traffic to your site
- Launching promotions or special offers
- Setting up analytics tools like Google Analytics to track visitors and behaviour
Your website can evolve with your business — and it should!
5. Conclusion: Launch Is Just the Beginning
Launching your website is a key milestone, but keeping it performing well requires regular attention. By understanding how indexing works, staying on top of maintenance and investing in ongoing SEO, you’ll help your site stay secure, relevant and visible.
And remember, you don’t have to manage everything alone. Whether it’s keeping your site updated, adding new features, or refining your SEO, reaching out for expert help when you need it can save you time and keep your site moving forward.
If you’d like advice or help with your site after launch, feel free to get in touch — I’ll be happy to help.
Posted by AH WebTech