WooCommerce launch checklist

Level: Beginner | Reading time: 10 minutes

Check 25 critical points before opening your store to the public for a smooth start.

In this chapter :

WooCommerce Guide - WooCommerce Launch Checklist

Last straight - You've installed WooCommerce, created your products and configured the essential settings. This final checklist ensures that nothing has been forgotten before the public launch. Allow 30-60 minutes to check everything methodically.

Products and catalog

Your catalog is the showcase of your business. These checks ensure a professional presentation and complete information.

Product sheet content

Titles and descriptions:

  • All products have a descriptive, SEO-optimized title (including keywords)
  • Full main descriptions (minimum 150 words per product)
  • Powerful short descriptions (50-100 word summary)
  • Spelling and grammar checked (use Antidote or LanguageTool)
  • No CAPITALIZED text or excessive marketing language

A title like "Bluetooth Wireless Headset Active Noise Reduction 30h Autonomy" converts better than "Super Bluetooth Headset".

Images and media:

  • Minimum 3-4 images per product (different angles + context)
  • High quality resolution: 1200×1200 px minimum
  • Web-optimized images (< 200 Kb each, JPG or WebP format)
  • Neutral background or contextualized according to your positioning
  • No watermarks or third-party logos (Amazon, AliExpress)

Poor-quality images are the leading cause of shopping cart abandonment. Invest in good photos or a professional photographer.

Product data:

  • Prices correctly entered including VAT (check VAT calculations)
  • Unique SKUs/references for each product (easier stock management)
  • Weight and dimensions entered (automatic shipping cost calculation)
  • Initial stock entered if you manage inventory
  • Categories and labels assigned to all products

Catalog organization

Categories and navigation:

  • Category hierarchy is logical (3 levels maximum)
  • Category names are straigtforward and understandable to your customers
  • Each product is assigned to at least one category
  • Category pages display products clearly (test navigation)
  • Main menu contains a C to "Shop" page or main categories

Confusing navigation turns visitors away. Ask 2-3 people to test the search for a specific product.

Pricing and promotions:

  • Consistent pricing (no inexplicable discrepancies between similar products).
  • Margins sufficient to cover costs (payment platform, shipping, marketing)
  • Promotions configured if commercial launch planned
  • Prom start/end dates well set (avoids errors)
  • Competitive pricing policy (benchmark)

Calculate your break-even point: (sales price incl. VAT - payment commission - shipping costs - product cost) must remain positive.

Payments and security 🔺

Payments are the sinews of war. A configuration error can block all your sales.

Payment settings

Enabled methods:

  • At least 2 payment methods functional (card + PayPal recommended)
  • Stripe/PayPal accounts verified and validated (not in restricted mode)
  • API keys in PRODUCTION mode (not test/sandbox)
  • Payment error messages tested (card declined, insufficient balance)
  • Post-payment redirections work (confirmation page)

Payment tests:

  • Successful test transaction with credit card (Stripe)
  • Successful test transaction with PayPal
  • Confirmation emails received (customer + admin)
  • Correct amounts debited (product price + shipping + VAT)
  • Test refund from dashboard (check procedure)

Keep test transactions as proof that everything worked at launch. Then cancel/refund them.

Security and protection

SSL certificate:

  • Site accessible in HTTPS (green padlock in browser)
  • All pages automatically redirect to HTTPS
  • Valid and up-to-date certificate (check expiration date)
  • No mixed content (HTTP images/scripts on HTTPS page)

Without HTTPS, browsers display "Not secure" and Google penalizes your SEO. Ask your web host for a free Let's Encrypt certificate.

Security extensions:

  • Security extension installed (Wordfence, iThemes Security or Sucuri)
  • Firewall enabled (blocks brute-force attacks)
  • Connection attempts limitation active (max 3-5 attempts)
  • Automatic backups configured (daily recommended)
  • Admin access protected by strong password (12+ characters, numbers, symbols)

Also configure two-factor authentication (2FA) for the admin account via a plugin like WP 2FA.

Shipping and logistics 🔺

Poor shipping management generates negative reviews and returns. Check these crucial points.

Zone configuration and methods

Shipping zones:

  • All your shipping zones created (e.g., domestic, regional, international)
  • Regions correctly assigned to each zone
  • Shipping methods configured for each zone
  • Rates consistent with your actual carrier costs
  • Conditional free delivery configured if applicable (e.g. from €50)

Test with several addresses across different regions: major cities, rural areas, remote locations, and overseas territories if applicable. Calculated costs must correspond to your price grids.

Delivery times and carriers:

  • Delivery times clearly displayed (2-3 days, 24h, etc.)
  • Carrier names mentioned (e.g., USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, or your local carriers)
  • Tracking options (tracking number sent by email)
  • Delivery policy published (dedicated page or FAQ)
  • Procedure for lost/damaged parcels defined

Stock and inventory

Stock management:

  • Initial quantities entered for all products
  • Low stock threshold configured (alert at 2-5 units)
  • Out-of-stock behavior defined (hide product or display "On order")
  • Stock notifications enabled (email when stock low)
  • Planned restocking system (suppliers, lead times)

If you don't manage physical stock (dropshipping, POD), turn off stock management in WooCommerce to avoid errors.

Failure to comply with legal obligations can expose you to substantial fines (check your local data protection regulations like GDPR in EU, CCPA in California, etc.). These pages are mandatory.

General Terms and Conditions of Sale (GTCS):

  • Terms and conditions page created and published
  • Legal content tailored to your business (ideally validated by a lawyer)
  • GTC checkbox on order page (customer must tick to validate)
  • Mandatory information: price incl. VAT, delivery costs, delivery times, right of withdrawal
  • Detailed return/refund procedure (check your local consumer protection laws - e.g., 14 days in EU, 30 days in some US states)

The T&C must typically be accepted BEFORE finalizing the order (check your local e-commerce regulations).

Privacy policy:

  • GDPR compliant privacy policy created
  • Types of data collected listed (name, email, address, order history)
  • Collection purposes explained (order processing, marketing if opt-in)
  • Data retention period specified (3 years max after last order)
  • Customer rights mentioned (access, rectification, deletion, portability)
  • Contact DPO (Data Protection Officer) or data controller provided

WordPress offers an automatic generator in Settings > Privacy. Adapt it to WooCommerce.

Legal Notice:

  • Legal Notice Page
  • Company name, business registration number (e.g., EIN in US, Company Number in UK), registered office address
  • Tax ID number if applicable (VAT in EU, Sales Tax permit in US)
  • Publication manager and web host
  • Contact details (email, telephone)

Cookies and consent:

  • Cookie banner installed and configured (Complianz, Cookie Notice)
  • Consent required BEFORE non-essential cookies are deposited
  • Detailed cookie policy (types, purposes, duration)
  • Functional refusal option (not just "Accept")

Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel and other trackers require explicit consent since GDPR.

Customer data protection

GDPR measures:

  • Order forms request only necessary data
  • Separate opt-in marketing checkbox (not pre-ticked)
  • Transactional e-mails contain unsubscribe link
  • Customers can upload their data (WooCommerce includes integrated tool)
  • Functional customer account deletion procedure

Test the data request: WooCommerce > Tools > Export personal data.

Tests and performance 🔺

A slow or buggy site loses 50% of its visitors. These checks guarantee an optimal experience.

Functional testing

Complete shopping path:

  • Smooth category → product navigation
  • Adding to shopping cart works on all products
  • Modification of quantities in shopping cart works
  • Coupon code application tested (if you have one)
  • Server-side order form validation (required fields, valid email)
  • Payment completed successfully (real test with small amount)
  • Emails received within 2 minutes (customer + admin)

Run this test on 3 browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) and mobile.

Responsive:

  • Site perfectly readable on mobile (50% of traffic)
  • Easy-to-click buttons (minimum size 44×44 px)
  • Images adapt to screen size (no overflow)
  • Functional mobile menu (hamburger, intuitive navigation)
  • Finger-operated command form (no need to zoom)

Test on your smartphone AND tablet. Also use Google Mobile-Friendly Test (free).

Performance and SEO

Loading speed:

  • Home page loads in < 3 seconds (test with PageSpeed Insights)
  • Product sheet loads in < 2 seconds
  • Optimized images (compression, lazy loading enabled)
  • Cache extension installed (WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, LiteSpeed)
  • CSS/JS files minified and combined

Goal: PageSpeed score > 80/100. Below this, your conversions drop drastically.

Basic referencing:

  • SEO extension installed (Yoast SEO or Rank Math)
  • Unique SEO titles for each product/category
  • Well-written meta descriptions (150 characters max.)
  • Clean, legible URLs (/product/bluetooth headset not /product-id-12345)
  • XML Sitemap generated and submitted to Google Search Console
  • Google Analytics or equivalent configured (conversion tracking)

Safeguards:

  • Backup extension installed (UpdraftPlus, BackWPup)
  • Automatic daily scheduled backup
  • Backup stored off-site (Dropbox, Google Drive, S3)
  • Restore tested once (make sure backup works)

Make your first backup BEFORE launching, as it will serve as a restore point in case of problems.

In a nutshell

This checklist covers 25 critical points divided into 5 essential categories: products (content, images, consistent pricing), payments (configuration, actual testing, SSL security), shipping (zones, rates, initial stock), legal compliance (GCS, GDPR, cookies, mandatory mentions) and technical performance (tests, speed, basic SEO). Meticulously validate each point before the public launch. A well-prepared launch avoids 90% of critical post-opening problems: blocked orders, customer complaints, potential legal fines or an inaccessible site. Allow 30-60 minutes for this systematic final check - it's the best time investment you can make for the success of your e-commerce project.

Next steps 🔺

Your store is ready to open:

Navigation : [← First Steps | Launch Checklist | [Next : Product Types →