Robynn
Robynn AI

Startup SEO Launch Checklist

Published on Mar 21, 2024 12 min read

Step-by-step guidance to launch a new startup website with solid SEO foundations, verified indexing, and analytics tracking.

Startup SEO Launch Checklist

If you are launching a new website for your startup/company, use this simple resource checklist for making sure your website gets properly off the ground and is easily discoverable by your audience. Overall there are three major steps:

  1. Make sure your website is SEO friendly.
  2. Submit your site in Google Search Console.
  3. Set up web analytics to measure and compare visits over time.

Step 1 - Set up website with SEO best practices

Technical SEO Foundation

  1. Keyword placement - Reference the main keyword early in each page (ideally within the first 25 words).
  2. Unique content - Ensure every title, description, and page copy is unique across your site.
  3. Meta tags - Configure meta tags and Open Graph (OG) previews across key pages (see Framer and Webflow tips below).
  4. Title tag optimization - Front-load the primary keyword in each title tag when possible.
  5. Site speed - Compress images, choose lightweight themes, enable lazy loading, and leverage a CDN.
  6. Mobile-first - Verify mobile usability; Google indexes mobile-first.

On-Page Optimization

  • Add proper hierarchy of your content with heading, sub-heading, paragraph

  • Optimize images with descriptive filenames and alt text

  • Use internal linking strategically

  • Improve user experience to reduce bounce rate

  • Use canonical tags when needed

  • Try and make sure none of the links throw a 404/page not found error

Tracking & Monitoring

  • Set up Google Search Console

  • Monitor Performance report (impressions, clicks, keywords)

  • Check Coverage report (indexing issues)

  • Review Enhancements report (mobile usability)

Step 2 - Set up Google Search Console

  1. Create Account - Go to search.google.com/search-console.
  2. Add Property - Choose the Domain or URL prefix property type.
  3. Verify Ownership - Pick any of the following:
    • HTML file upload
    • HTML tag in <head>
    • Google Analytics
    • Google Tag Manager
    • Domain name provider (DNS verification)

Submit Sitemap

  1. Navigate to Sitemaps section in left sidebar

  2. Enter sitemap URL (usually yoursite.com/sitemap.xml)

  3. Click Submit

  4. Check status to ensure successful submission

  5. If you see errors it is most likely due to some pages that either throw a 404 or has a no-index directive. Fix those, updare the sitemap and resubmit

Request Indexing for Individual Pages

  1. Use URL Inspection tool at top of Search Console

  2. Enter specific page URL

  3. Click "Request Indexing" if page not yet indexed

  4. Google will crawl and index. Google claims it may takes days or weeks but usually it is within 24 hours.

Monitor Performance in Search Console

  • Performance Report - Track impressions, clicks, CTR, position

  • Coverage Report - See indexed pages and errors

  • Mobile Usability - Ensure mobile-friendly design

  • Core Web Vitals - Monitor page experience metrics

Best Practices

  • Full indexing can take days to weeks for new sites so make sure you give a few days before your actual announcement/official launch date

  • Submit sitemap immediately after launch

  • Use URL Inspection for priority pages

  • Check Coverage report regularly for errors

  • Framer and Webflow auto-generate sitemaps so don't bother looking for settings for sitemap

Step 3 - Google Analytics 4 Setup Process

Initial Setup

  1. Create GA4 Account - Go to analytics.google.com, log in, access Admin settings, click Create > Account

  2. Create GA4 Property - Name your property, set timezone and currency

  3. Provide Business Details - Select industry category and business size

  4. Provide Business Objectives - Choose objectives to tailor default reports

  5. Create Data Stream - Add website URL and stream name, get measurement ID

Installation Methods (Choose One)

Method 1: Google Tag Manager (GTM)

  • Best for sites already using GTM

  • Create new tag with GA4 Setup configuration

  • Add measurement ID to Tag ID field

  • Set trigger to "Initialization - All Pages"

  • Test with Tag Assistant before publishing

Method 2: Native Integration/Plugin

  • For website builders (WordPress, Squarespace, Wix)

  • WordPress: Use Site Kit by Google plugin

  • Connect Google account and select GA4 property

  • Plugin handles code installation automatically

Method 3: Manual Installation

  • Copy tracking code snippet from Web stream details

  • Paste immediately after opening tag on every page

  • Save changes to activate tracking

Key Concepts

  • Property: Collection of data from website or app

  • Data Stream: Sends data from source to GA4 property

  • Measurement ID: Unique identifier for tracking code

  • GA4 replaced Universal Analytics (UA) as the standard

Optional - Submit your Website to Startup Directories

Major Directories (Free)

  1. Product Hunt - Premier launch platform for new apps and products, rating system.

  2. Reddit - Subreddits: r/startups, r/smallbusiness, r/sideproject, r/shamelessplug, r/indiebiz, r/entrepreneur

  3. Google My Business - Essential for Google search and Maps visibility

  4. LinkedIn - Company pages and founder profiles, use LinkedIn Pulse for content

  5. AngelList - Focused on recruiting and remote work opportunities

  6. Crunchbase - Powerful paid directory with analytics and networking tools

  7. BetaList - Early-stage product feedback and exposure

Platform-Specific SEO Setup

Framer SEO Setup

Meta Tags & Descriptions:

  • Access via Site Settings (Framer icon in top right)

  • Add custom titles and descriptions for entire site or individual pages

  • Can customize metadata for CMS pages

  • Automatically generates sitemap.xml and robots.txt

Open Graph (OG) Tags:

  • Set in Site Settings > General > Site Images

  • Upload Social Image for OG preview

  • OG title and description pulled from page meta settings

  • Use MetaViewer plugin to preview OG appearance

Key Features:

  • Semantic text and H1 headings critical for SEO

  • Add alt text to all images (ends with punctuation for accessibility)

  • Set video posters (min 60x30 pixels)

  • Built-in analytics or integrate Google Analytics with ID

  • Automatic sitemap and robots.txt generation

Webflow SEO Setup

Meta Tags & Descriptions:

  • Access via Pages panel > Page settings (gear icon) > SEO settings

  • Title tag: under 60 characters

  • Meta description: no limit but keep concise

  • Can set for static pages and CMS collection pages

Open Graph Settings:

  • Found in Page Settings > Open Graph Settings

  • Can check "Same as SEO" to copy title/description from SEO settings

  • OG Image: Upload to Assets, copy URL, paste in OG settings

  • For CMS pages: Select image field from dropdown for dynamic OG images

Key OG Tags Set:

  • og:title - Page title for social sharing

  • og:description - Description for social preview

  • og:image - Image shown in social shares

  • og:url - Automatically pulled from page slug

Additional Features:

  • Automatic sitemap generation

  • Built-in SEO checklist

  • Semantic HTML elements

  • Alt text for images

  • 301 redirects support