Work through each section systematically, checking off items as you complete them. While not every item will apply to every business, this guide provides a comprehensive framework for most e-commerce launches.

Pre-Launch Planning

• [ ] Define target audience and buyer personas
• [ ] Research competitors and market positioning
• [ ] Select business structure and register business
• [ ] Obtain necessary business licenses and permits
• [ ] Set up business bank account
• [ ] Determine product sourcing strategy
• [ ] Calculate pricing strategy and profit margins
• [ ] Create budget for launch and ongoing operations

Platform and Technology

• [ ] Choose e-commerce platform (Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.)
• [ ] Purchase domain name
• [ ] Set up web hosting (if required)
• [ ] Install SSL certificate for secure transactions
• [ ] Configure site architecture and URL structure
• [ ] Set up development and staging environments
• [ ] Ensure mobile responsiveness
• [ ] Test site speed and optimize performance
• [ ] Set up CDN if needed

Product Setup

• [ ] Create product catalog with SKUs
• [ ] Write product descriptions with SEO in mind
• [ ] Take or source high-quality product photos
• [ ] Set up product variations (size, color, etc.)
• [ ] Configure inventory management system
• [ ] Set up low stock alerts
• [ ] Create product categories and filters
• [ ] Configure related products and upsells

Payment Processing

• [ ] Select payment gateway(s)
• [ ] Set up merchant account
• [ ] Configure accepted payment methods
• [ ] Test payment processing flow
• [ ] Set up fraud prevention tools
• [ ] Configure tax calculations
• [ ] Set up currency options (if international)
• [ ] Create refund and chargeback procedures

Shipping and Fulfillment

• [ ] Choose shipping carriers
• [ ] Set up shipping zones and rates
• [ ] Configure shipping calculators
• [ ] Create packaging strategy
• [ ] Set up order fulfillment process
• [ ] Integrate with fulfillment services (if applicable)
• [ ] Configure tracking notifications
• [ ] Set handling times and delivery expectations

Legal and Compliance

• [ ] Create terms and conditions
• [ ] Write privacy policy
• [ ] Create return and refund policy
• [ ] Set up cookie consent (GDPR compliance)
• [ ] Ensure ADA/WCAG accessibility compliance
• [ ] Configure data protection measures
• [ ] Create shipping policy
• [ ] Add disclaimer statements where needed

Design and User Experience

• [ ] Design logo and brand assets
• [ ] Create consistent visual identity
• [ ] Design homepage layout
• [ ] Design product page templates
• [ ] Create category page layouts
• [ ] Design shopping cart interface
• [ ] Design checkout flow
• [ ] Create thank you/order confirmation page
• [ ] Design account dashboard
• [ ] Create 404 error page
• [ ] Test navigation and user flow
• [ ] Ensure consistent branding across all pages

Content Creation

• [ ] Write homepage copy
• [ ] Create About Us page
• [ ] Write FAQ page
• [ ] Create Contact Us page
• [ ] Write blog posts (if applicable)
• [ ] Create brand story and mission statement
• [ ] Develop product education content
• [ ] Create size guides or product guides

Marketing Setup

• [ ] Set up Google Analytics
• [ ] Install Facebook Pixel
• [ ] Configure conversion tracking
• [ ] Set up email marketing platform
• [ ] Create welcome email series
• [ ] Set up abandoned cart emails
• [ ] Create social media accounts
• [ ] Plan launch promotion strategy
• [ ] Set up Google My Business (if applicable)
• [ ] Configure SEO meta tags and descriptions

Customer Service

• [ ] Set up customer service email
• [ ] Create contact form
• [ ] Set up live chat (if applicable)
• [ ] Create customer service response templates
• [ ] Define response time standards
• [ ] Set up customer account system
• [ ] Create order tracking system
• [ ] Establish escalation procedures

SEO and Technical

• [ ] Submit sitemap to search engines
• [ ] Create robots.txt file
• [ ] Set up Google Search Console
• [ ] Optimize page titles and meta descriptions
• [ ] Add alt text to all images
• [ ] Create schema markup for products
• [ ] Set up 301 redirects (if migrating)
• [ ] Optimize site structure for crawling

Testing

• [ ] Test all forms and functionality
• [ ] Complete test purchases on all payment methods
• [ ] Test on multiple browsers
• [ ] Test on multiple devices (mobile, tablet, desktop)
• [ ] Test email notifications
• [ ] Verify confirmation emails are working
• [ ] Test account creation and login
• [ ] Test password reset functionality
• [ ] Verify all links work
• [ ] Test checkout process thoroughly
• [ ] Test discount codes and promotions
• [ ] Test shipping calculations

Security

• [ ] Enable two-factor authentication for admin
• [ ] Set up regular backups
• [ ] Install security monitoring
• [ ] Update all software and plugins
• [ ] Remove default admin accounts
• [ ] Set strong password requirements
• [ ] Configure firewall rules
• [ ] Test for vulnerabilities

Launch Day

• [ ] Final site backup
• [ ] Remove "Coming Soon" or maintenance mode
• [ ] Submit press release (if applicable)
• [ ] Announce on social media
• [ ] Send launch email to mailing list
• [ ] Monitor site performance and traffic
• [ ] Monitor for errors or issues
• [ ] Respond promptly to customer inquiries

Post-Launch

• [ ] Monitor analytics daily
• [ ] Track conversion rates
• [ ] Gather customer feedback
• [ ] Address any technical issues
• [ ] Begin ongoing marketing campaigns
• [ ] Start content marketing efforts
• [ ] Monitor and respond to reviews
• [ ] Optimize based on user behavior
• [ ] Plan for scaling infrastructure
• [ ] Schedule regular site maintenance