Jun 18, 20246 min read
Launch Playbook: 10 Checks Before Academics Go Live
A punchy checklist for research teams preparing to launch a new site or landing page.
#Playbook#Launch#Academic Comms
Key takeaways
- Set up analytics, search console, and privacy pages before launch day.
- Compress hero media and add descriptive alt text to maintain performance.
- Draft a simple email sequence or checklist download to capture early interest.
Launching an academic website requires more than flipping DNS. Treat the final 72 hours as a thesis check: does the promise lead, is the evidence visible, and are the pathways ready for real visitors? These are the steps we walk through with clients before going live.
Prep your tech stack
- Connect the site with Plausible (or GA4) and Search Console.
- Set up uptime monitoring and add a fallback contact email.
- Confirm domain settings inside Vercel and add necessary redirects.
Polish the on-page experience
- Rewrite hero copy to lead with a promise and proof.
- Compress banner images/videos and double-check alt text.
- Preview on mobile and ensure CTAs stay visible above the fold.
Ship the launch assets
- Draft two announcement emails: one for partners, one for the broader list.
- Schedule social posts with visuals that reference your lead magnet.
- Update LinkedIn bios, Linktree, and other profiles with the new URL.
Keep momentum
Pair this playbook with the Academic Website Launch Checklist. Use it to keep stakeholders aligned before, during, and after launch day.
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