If you are launching a brand-new website or even revamping an existing website, it is paramount that you begin your SEO planning process early so you can avoid common SEO issues in your site launch. Launching a new website is a crucial milestone for any Irish start up business, especially in a competitive market like Ireland. To ensure maximum online visibility and sustainable growth, it’s essential to implement a solid SEO strategy at the beginning. Here is our SEO checklist tailored to start-ups preparing to launch their website.

Keyword Research and Local Targeting
Start by researching the keywords your potential customers in Ireland are likely to use when searching for your product or service. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or Uber suggest to identify high-value search terms. Be sure to include local modifiers—such as city names (e.g., “Dublin coffee delivery” or “accountant in Cork”)—to enhance your local SEO efforts.
Ensure your Google My Business profile is complete and consistent with your website information. Effective keyword research helps align your content with user intent, while local targeting uses geographic keywords (like “near me” or specific city names) to attract nearby customers.
By combining keyword research with local SEO, your business can boost visibility in local search results, attract more relevant traffic, and improve conversion rates.
Domain and Hosting Setup
Begin by choosing a domain name that is relevant, memorable, and ideally incorporates your brand name or main keyword. For Irish businesses, using a .ie domain extension can enhance local credibility and improve visibility in Irish search results. Additionally, select a reliable hosting provider with fast servers located in or near Ireland to ensure optimal website loading speeds—an important factor in Google’s ranking algorithm.
Site Architecture and URL Structure
Plan a clean, logical website structure. Organise your pages into categories that make sense for both users and search engines. Keep URLs short, descriptive, and keyword-friendly. For example, use `www.yoursite.ie/services/web-design` instead of `www.yoursite.ie/page?id=7`.
On-Page Optimisation
Each page must feature a unique title tag (under 60 characters) and an engaging meta description (under 160 characters) that naturally incorporates keywords. Use H1 tags for primary headings and H2 tags for subheadings. Place relevant keywords within the first 100 words of your content. Ensure all content is original, informative, and focused on user needs. For images, use descriptive alt tags with appropriate keywords to enhance both SEO and accessibility.
Mobile Optimisation
Over 60% of users browse on mobile devices. Ensure your site is mobile-friendly by using responsive design. Google prioritises mobile-first indexing, so your mobile version should be as complete and functional as your desktop version.
Local SEO
Set up and optimise your Google Business Profile with accurate business details, photos, hours, and services. Encourage customers to leave reviews. Add your business to Irish online directories such as Golden Pages, IrishBusiness.ie, and local chambers of commerce. Include your full business address and a Google Map on your contact page.
Technical SEO
Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console. Use robots.txt to guide search engines on what to crawl. Check that your site loads quickly (under 3 seconds) and is free of broken links or duplicate content. Enable HTTPS for secure browsing.
Content and Blogging
Create a blog and post regularly on topics relevant to your audience. This not only helps with SEO but also builds authority. Use internal linking to connect related blog posts and service pages, keeping users on your site longer.
Crafting high quality content
Creating standout content starts with the right content management system. A robust CMS like WordPress simplifies writing, editing, and publishing, helping you optimize every piece for maximum impact. Our strategy focuses on producing informative, engaging content that resonates with your audience—building trust and strengthening brand loyalty.
To enhance your content strategy, choose a CMS that supports SEO best practices. Craft content that delivers clear benefits and genuine value. Keep your writing concise, use active voice, and break up long blocks of text. Leverage storytelling to clarify complex ideas and make your message more memorable.
Prioritise Mobile Friendliness
With mobile usage now dominating web traffic, a mobile-responsive design is essential—not optional. A seamless experience across all devices not only enhances user satisfaction but also influences search engine rankings.
Google’s move to mobile-first indexing reinforces the importance of fast, mobile-optimized websites. Sites that fail to meet mobile standards risk losing visibility and organic traffic.
In today’s digital landscape, overlooking mobile responsiveness is not just a missed opportunity, but a critical error,”. Mobile compatibility is a pillar of website redesign, deeply entwined with both technical SEO and overall user satisfaction.
To ensure your site is mobile-ready:
- Use HTTPS and an SSL certificate to protect user data and boost SEO.
- Test across multiple devices to confirm responsive functionality.
- Optimise page speed for both desktop and mobile speed is a known ranking factor.
- Implement 301 redirects from outdated URLs to preserve SEO equity during redesigns.
- Analytics and Tracking. Set up Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor your traffic, rankings, and user behaviour. Use the data to refine your SEO strategy over time.
Set Up a Google Business page
Creating a Google My Business (GMB) profile is essential when launching a new website, particularly for businesses aiming to boost online visibility and connect with local customers. GMB serves as your digital storefront, ensuring your business appears in Google Search and Maps when people search for relevant products or services. By verifying and optimizing your listing, you strengthen your brand’s credibility and increase the likelihood of appearing in local search results.
Having a GMB page provides important information at a glance—such as your business hours, location, phone number, and website link—making it easy for potential customers to connect with you. It also allows customers to leave reviews, which builds trust and boosts your online reputation. Additionally, Google often prioritizes businesses with active, verified GMB profiles in local search rankings.
For a new website, this visibility can drive early traffic, improve SEO, and establish your online presence. GMB also offers insights into how users find and interact with your listing, helping you make informed marketing decisions. Overall, it’s a free, powerful tool that can significantly boost the effectiveness of your website launch and ongoing digital strategy.
Post-Launch SEO Tasks
Monitor Indexing
Check which pages are being indexed in Search Console.
Submit missing URLs for indexing manually if needed.
Track Keyword Rankings
Use tools like SE Ranking to track progress.
Iterate and Improve
SEO isn’t one-and-done.
Continue updating content, acquiring backlinks, and refining technical SEO.
For Irish start-ups, building a strong SEO foundation from the outset is a powerful way to gain visibility, attract qualified leads, and grow sustainably. By following this checklist, you ensure your new website isn’t just a digital placeholder—but a discoverable, high-performing business asset. By following this SEO checklist, Irish start-ups can lay a solid foundation for organic growth, ensuring their websites are both discoverable and engaging from the start.