Guide: How to prepare an online shop before launch

Launching an online shop is not just about uploading products and publishing the site. Before the shop is presented to customers, you must check the structure, products, payment methods, delivery, important pages, mobile version, SEO, forms and the entire ordering process.

A well-prepared online shop must allow the customer to quickly find the desired product, understand the offer, add the product to the basket, complete the order and receive the necessary information after purchase.

In this tutorial you will go through step by step the main checks worth carrying out before launching an online shop.

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Step 1: Decide what you are selling

Before configuring the shop, establish exactly what products you will sell.

For each product it is recommended to have ready:

• product name;
• the description;
• price;
• photos;
• category;
• available variants;
• stock;
• technical features;
• delivery information;
• information required for the customer.

The better organised this information is before uploading products, the simpler the configuration process will be.

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Step 2: Organise products into categories

Do not upload all products into a single list.

Create logical categories and subcategories so that visitors can browse quickly.

For example, an electronics shop can have:

• Laptops;
• Phones;
• Accessories;
• Peripherals;
• PC components.

The structure must be adapted to the shop's field and the number of products.

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Step 3: Prepare product photos

Photos are one of the important components of a product page.

Before uploading, check:

• image resolution;
• file size;
• visual quality;
• format;
• background;
• aspect ratio;
• file naming.

Avoid uploading unnecessarily large images, as these can affect page load times.

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Step 4: Configure prices and stock

Check each product and confirm that the displayed price is correct.

If the shop uses stock management, also check the available quantities.

For products with variants, such as size, colour or capacity, check each variant separately.

A customer must not be able to accidentally order an unavailable variant if it is not intended for pre-orders.

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Step 5: Configure product variants

If a product exists in multiple variants, these must be configured clearly.

Examples:

• size;
• colour;
• capacity;
• material;
• model;
• size.

Check that changing a variant correctly updates the price, availability and relevant information.

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Step 6: Configure the payment method

Choose the payment methods that the shop will accept.

Depending on the solution used, methods such as the following may be available:

• online card payment;
• cash on delivery;
• bank transfer;
• other payment methods offered by the platform used.

It is not enough for the payment method to appear in the shop. The actual checkout process must also be tested.

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Step 7: Configure delivery

Establish how the products reach the customer.

Check:

• the areas where you deliver;
• shipping costs;
• the threshold for free delivery, if applicable;
• delivery methods;
• estimated delivery time;
• special conditions for certain products.

Delivery information must be easy to find before the user completes the order.

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Step 8: Create the important pages of the shop

Before launch, check whether the shop has all the necessary pages for its activity.

Depending on the project, the following may be required:

• About us;
• Contact;
• Delivery;
• Payment;
• Terms and conditions;
• Returns policy;
• Privacy policy;
• Cookie policy;
• Frequently asked questions.

The legal content must be adapted to the shop's specific activity and situation.

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Step 9: Check the contact details

Check that all contact details displayed on the site are correct.

Check:

• telephone number;
• email address;
• physical address, if any;
• contact form;
• WhatsApp link, if used;
• opening hours.

Actually test each contact method before launch.

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Step 10: Check each product page

Open important products individually and check that the information is complete.

Look at:

• title;
• photos;
• price;
• description;
• specifications;
• stock;
• variants;
• the add to basket button;
• delivery information;
• the returns information.

Do not assume a product is configured correctly just because it appears in the catalogue.

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Step 11: Check the menu and navigation

An online store must allow the user to quickly reach the desired products.

Test:

• the main menu;
• the categories;
• the subcategories;
• the search;
• the filters;
• product sorting;
• the basket;
• the checkout page.

If a user cannot quickly reach the desired product, there is a risk they will abandon browsing.

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Step 12: Test product search

Enter product names and terms that customers might use into the store search engine.

Check whether the displayed results are relevant.

Also test:

• the exact product name;
• part of the name;
• variants of the name;
• general terms;
• frequent typing mistakes.

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Step 13: Check the mobile version

A large proportion of users may access the store from a phone, which is why the mobile version must be checked separately.

Test:

• menu;
• the products;
• images;
• the add to basket button;
• the basket;
• the order form;
• the payment methods;
• the contact buttons.

Do not limit yourself to checking the appearance. Actually test the entire purchasing process from a phone.

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Step 14: Check speed and images

Before launch, check the loading time of important pages.

Pay special attention to:

• the homepage;
• category pages;
• product pages;
• the basket;
• the checkout.

Optimise images and remove unnecessary elements that can excessively slow down the page.

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Step 15: Prepare SEO for products and categories

SEO must be taken into account before launch, not just after the store is live.

Check for important pages:

• the page title;
• meta description;
• the URL;
• the product title;
• the description;
• the heading structure;
• images;
• the ALT attributes;
• the internal links.

Avoid product descriptions identically copied from other shops when you can create original and relevant content for your products.

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Step 16: Check HTTPS and security

Confirm that the shop uses HTTPS and that important pages open without security warnings.

Also check that there are no resources loaded through insecure connections.

Update the platform, theme, and extensions used and remove unnecessary or unused components.

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Step 17: Test a complete order

This is one of the most important tests before launch.

Place a test order and go through the entire process:

1. Choose a product.
2. Add the product to the basket.
3. Check the price.
4. Check shipping.
5. Enter customer details.
6. Choose the delivery method.
7. Choose the payment method.
8. Complete the order.
9. Check the confirmation message.
10. Check the received email.
11. Check if the administrator receives the order notification.

If possible, test from both desktop and mobile.

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Step 18: Check automated emails

After placing an order, check the automated messages sent to the customer and administrator.

Check:

• order confirmation;
• product details;
• total value;
• shipping costs;
• customer details;
• order status;
• shop details.

An automated email with incorrect information can create confusion even if the shop is working correctly.

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Step 19: Check links

Go through the main pages and check if all important links work.

Pay attention to links to:

• categories;
• products;
• basket;
• checkout;
• contact;
• delivery;
• returns;
• terms and conditions;
• privacy policy.

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Step 20: Do a final check before launch

Before announcing the shop publicly, go through the main elements one more time.

• Products are uploaded correctly.
• Prices are correct.
• The stock levels are correct.
• The categories are organised.
• The images are optimised.
• The payment methods are configured.
• Delivery is configured.
• The important pages are published.
• Contact details are correct.
• The store works on mobile.
• HTTPS works.
• The forms work.
• Search works.
• The test order was placed.
• Automated emails have been checked.
• The important links work.
• Basic SEO elements are configured.

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Quick pre-launch checklist

Check	Status
Products and categories configured	☐
Prices and stock checked	☐
Optimised images	☐
Payment configured	☐
Delivery configured	☐
Important pages are available	☐
Mobile version checked	☐
Basic SEO configured	☐
Test order completed	☐
Automated emails checked	☐

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Frequently asked questions

How many products should the store have before launch?

There is no universal number. It depends on the field, the business model and how the products are organised. The important thing is that the published products are complete and correctly configured.

Should the order be tested before launch?

Yes. It is recommended to place at least one test order to check the product, cart, delivery, payment, notifications and order confirmation.

Is the mobile version important?

Yes. The store must be checked separately on mobile, including navigation, products, the cart and the checkout process.

Is SEO necessary before launch?

It is recommended that the store structure, URLs, titles, descriptions, images and basic SEO elements are prepared even before launch.

What needs to be checked most carefully?

The complete purchasing process. A store may look correct visually, but have issues with the cart, checkout, payment, delivery or automated notifications.

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Do you need help?

If you want to create an online store or need help with the structure, functionalities, configuration and preparation of a Web project, iTechServiceTM can help you.

View service Professional website.