A business website is ready to launch when more than its homepage works. The business owner, marketing lead and provider should agree which tasks visitors need to complete and how the delivery will be accepted. The aim is to receive a usable service with clear responsibilities, rather than to supervise technical installation steps.
Define the tasks visitors need to complete
Can a visitor understand a service, find the right contact channel and submit an enquiry? List priority journeys such as requesting a quote, booking an appointment, reviewing a product or downloading a document. Define the expected result for each: the enquiry reaches the right team, the visitor receives a clear acknowledgement and an alternative is available if something fails.
Review content and mobile usability together
Company details, service scope, images and any second language should match content approved by the business. Check navigation, readability, links and forms on real phones and computers. Clarify image publication rights and who keeps the copy current. Assess speed through important page journeys as well as measurement reports, rather than accepting a single score as the whole result.
What should you ask the provider?
- Who owns the domain, content and management access, and how are they handed over if the relationship ends?
- Which pages and visitor journeys are included in the delivery?
- Under what terms are restoration, updates and support provided?
- Who handles a reported problem, and how will progress be communicated?
What should you receive at handover?
Receive an approved page and function list, check results, outstanding items and written maintenance responsibilities. Transfer access through a suitable secure channel; passwords do not belong in the acceptance report. The business can then decide whether to launch knowing which changes it can make itself and when to request support.
