Back to Checklists
10 min read•Checklist

The Complete Shopify Launch Checklist

Launching a Shopify store? Don't miss a thing. This 68-point checklist covers everything from store settings to SEO, ensuring your store is ready to start selling.

68 items8 sections

Before You Launch

This checklist covers eight critical areas: store settings, payments, shipping, legal compliance, SEO fundamentals, security, testing, and pre-launch checks. Work through each section methodically and you will go live with confidence.

0 of 68 completed
0%

Store Settings

0 of 8 completed

Payments

0 of 6 completed

Shipping

0 of 8 completed

Legal & Policies

0 of 8 completed

SEO & Marketing

0 of 11 completed

Security & Trust

0 of 7 completed

Testing

0 of 10 completed

Pre-Launch Final Checks

0 of 10 completed

The Cost of Poor Launch Preparation

Every year, thousands of Shopify stores launch with preventable issues: missing shipping zones, untested payment gateways, broken checkout flows, or non-compliant legal policies. These oversights directly impact revenue, search rankings, and brand reputation from day one.

Common Launch Failures

  • ×Payment processing failures that prevent customers from completing orders
  • ×Missing shipping zones that show no delivery options at checkout
  • ×Poor SEO setup that makes your store invisible to search engines
  • ×Missing legal policies that create compliance risks with GDPR

Why Launch Preparation Matters

Your launch sets the foundation for everything that follows. Search engines index your store immediately after you remove the password page. Your initial SEO setup becomes a permanent part of your digital footprint.

  • •Changing URLs post-launch creates redirect issues and harms rankings
  • •First customers form lasting impressions based on checkout experience
  • •Fixing issues under pressure of real orders is stressful and damaging

Critical Launch Requirements

3-5
Test orders minimum
100%
Payment methods tested
<3s
Page load time target

Last-Minute Launch Checks

If you are short on time, prioritise these essential items:

1. Complete a test purchase

Place a real order through your entire checkout flow using Shopify's Bogus Gateway. Verify the order confirmation email arrives correctly.

2. Check mobile experience

Over 70% of traffic is mobile. Test your store on real phones, not just browser emulators.

3. Verify shipping zones

Ensure all your delivery areas have shipping rates configured. Missing zones mean customers cannot checkout.

4. Publish legal policies

Privacy policy, terms of service, and returns policy are legally required in most jurisdictions.

Related Checklists

Complement your launch preparation with these resources:

SEO Checklist →

Comprehensive SEO setup for search visibility

Security Checklist →

Protect your store and customer data

GDPR Compliance →

Meet EU and UK data protection requirements

Speed Optimisation →

Ensure fast load times from day one

Frequently Asked Questions

With this checklist, you can launch a basic Shopify store in 1-2 weeks if you work consistently. More complex stores with custom features, large product catalogues, or extensive integrations may take 4-6 weeks. The key is methodically working through each section rather than rushing to go live.
While technically possible, we strongly recommend completing all items before launch. Skipping steps in areas like payments, shipping, or legal policies can result in order fulfilment issues, customer complaints, or even legal problems. The items marked as critical (payments, shipping, legal policies) are absolute must-haves before removing your password page.
The most common mistake is inadequate testing. Many store owners rush to launch without placing test orders, testing all payment methods, or checking the mobile experience on real devices. Always complete at least 3-5 test orders using different payment methods and devices before going live.
Yes. It's much harder to fix SEO issues after launch than to set things up correctly from the start. Google will index your pages immediately after launch, so ensure your titles, meta descriptions, and URL structure are optimised beforehand. Changing URLs post-launch can hurt your search rankings.
For most stores, we recommend launching with your full catalogue if you have under 100 products. For larger catalogues (500+ products), consider launching with your best-selling or most profitable products first, then adding more over time. This allows you to refine your processes without being overwhelmed.
Your store is ready when you can honestly tick every box in this checklist, you've completed multiple test orders without issues, you've had at least 2-3 people unfamiliar with your store navigate it successfully, and you feel confident in your ability to fulfil orders. If you're unsure, consider a soft launch to friends and family first.

Ready to Launch?

Once you've ticked off every item on this checklist, you're ready to remove your password page and start selling. Good luck with your launch!

Need help getting your store launch-ready? Our team can audit your store and ensure everything is perfect before you go live.

Get Launch SupportBook a Store Audit