You’ve spent weeks writing your bio, collecting photos, and deciding which listings deserve the spotlight. Now your new real estate website is almost ready to launch. Exciting, right? Still, that final stretch can be nerve-wracking. The last thing you want is to hit publish and realize your contact form doesn’t work or your mobile layout is a mess.

This checklist covers everything you need to double-check before your site goes live — from listings to lead capture — so your launch feels smooth and professional, not chaotic.

1. Make Sure Your Navigation Actually Works for Buyers and Sellers

Your website menu isn’t just decoration. It’s how people find their way around your business. If someone can’t figure out where to click, they’ll leave faster than a showing that smells like mildew.

Every link should feel intuitive:

• Home
• Buy
• Sell
• About
• Contact

Keep your menu short. Long dropdowns make visitors think too hard. Want examples of what clean navigation looks like? Our post on realtor website navigation tips breaks down how simple changes can make clients stay longer and click deeper.

If you’ve got neighborhood pages or niche landing pages, group them under broader sections. Think “Communities” or “Local Areas” — not “Every Single Neighborhood You’ve Ever Heard Of.”

2. Test Every Form Like You’re the Client

Fill out your own contact form. Then check your inbox. Did the email arrive instantly? Was the message easy to read? If not, fix it now.

The same goes for valuation or scheduling forms. Pretend you’re a seller who just requested a price estimate — what happens next? If you don’t get a clear confirmation or follow-up, you’re losing leads before you ever see them.

If you’re using an integrated form tied to your CRM, test it twice. Nothing kills a good first impression faster than a “404” or a broken submission button.

3. Optimize for Mobile First, Not as an Afterthought

Most buyers browse homes while standing in line at Starbucks. If your site looks beautiful on desktop but jumbled on a phone, it’s game over.

Scroll through every page on your mobile device. Do images resize cleanly? Can you tap buttons without zooming in? Is your phone number clickable?

You’d be surprised how many realtors forget that step. Our post on mobile-first realtor websites explains why design needs to start small and scale up, not the other way around. It’s not just about convenience — it’s about credibility.

4. Proof Every Word (Then Proof It Again)

It’s easy to overlook typos when you’ve been staring at the same copy for weeks. But a single misspelled word can make clients question your attention to detail.

Read your site aloud. You’ll catch awkward phrasing instantly. Make sure your bio sounds conversational, not robotic. And for listings? Double-check every detail — square footage, price, and neighborhood names.

Even one wrong digit can send a buyer to the wrong open house.

5. Get Your Images in Shape

High-quality photos sell houses. They should also sell your professionalism. Every image on your website should be crisp, well-lit, and load fast. Oversized images slow everything down, which makes people bounce.

Aim for 150–300 KB per image if possible. Use descriptive file names like “downtown-condo-living-room.jpg” instead of “IMG_4738.” That helps Google understand what your site’s about and improves SEO.

And don’t forget alt text — it’s what search engines and screen readers use to describe your pictures.

6. Add Clear Calls to Action (CTAs)

Your website should guide people toward the next step. Not shove, but guide. Think about what each page is meant to do:

• Homepage: Encourage visitors to explore listings
• Seller page: Invite them to request a home valuation
• About page: Lead them to contact you directly

A call-to-action like “Schedule a Consultation” feels more personal than “Submit.” Keep your CTAs warm and conversational — you’re in a relationship business, not software sales.

7. Speed-Test Everything

Page speed affects how long people stay and how high Google ranks you. Slow sites make people give up before the content even loads.

Test your site on Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix. If your grade is below 80, ask your developer what can be optimized. Often it’s as simple as resizing images or trimming unused plugins.

You can also read our breakdown on why speed matters for realtor websites if you want to understand how milliseconds actually affect conversions.

8. Check Every Link (Especially External Ones)

Click through every menu item, footer link, and social icon. Do they all open correctly? If you’re linking to Zillow, YouTube, or Instagram, make sure the URLs are current — not placeholders your designer used.

If you’ve got listing search tools or map embeds, test them too. You don’t want potential clients clicking on your featured listing only to land on an error page.

A broken link doesn’t just frustrate visitors — it tells Google your site might be outdated.

9. Update Your Contact Info Across the Web

Your website might be new, but the internet never forgets old information. Make sure your Google Business Profile, social media bios, and Zillow page all match your new website address exactly.

If you rebranded or changed domains, redirect your old site to the new one. Otherwise, clients may end up on a dead link or think you disappeared.

10. Add Trust Signals

Modern buyers are skeptical — and rightfully so. Show them proof that you’re trustworthy.

Include real reviews, recent sales, and professional photos. If you’re part of any associations like NAR or your local MLS, display those logos neatly in your footer.

Social proof matters. People may not know you yet, but if they see other happy clients, it makes clicking “Contact” a lot easier.

11. Double-Check IDX or Listing Feeds

If you have an IDX feed or use an external listing service, make sure everything displays correctly. Are property photos showing up? Are map locations accurate? Do search filters actually work?

Nothing feels more frustrating than a buyer trying to browse listings that don’t load. Spend a few extra minutes testing your site’s most important feature — it’s worth it.

12. Make Sure Analytics Are Installed

You can’t improve what you can’t track. Install Google Analytics or GA4 before launch day so you can monitor who visits your site, how long they stay, and which pages perform best.

If you’re working with a developer, ask them to confirm it’s firing correctly. Data isn’t glamorous, but it’s what separates “pretty websites” from profitable ones.

13. Preview on Different Devices and Browsers

Open your site on Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and your phone’s default browser. They all render websites slightly differently. Check your homepage, listing pages, and contact forms across each one.

Sometimes a button looks perfect in one browser but overlaps text in another. Catch those issues before your clients do.

14. Prepare for Launch Like It’s an Open House

Treat launch day like a digital open house. Announce it on social media. Email your past clients. Share a few “behind the scenes” photos of your new site in progress.

This builds excitement and gets traffic right away — which helps Google index your site faster. And it gives you a reason to reconnect with old clients in a natural, non-salesy way.

15. Remember: It’s Not Done When It’s Live

A great website is never “finished.” You’ll tweak photos, update listings, and refresh testimonials over time. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s momentum.

Your website should evolve with your business. Keep checking analytics, asking clients for feedback, and adding new stories or listings. That steady upkeep is what separates an average agent site from a great one.

Final Thought: Your Website Is Your First Showing

Before a buyer ever shakes your hand, they’ve already judged your digital curb appeal. A clean, fast, and confident website communicates professionalism before you say a word.

Do the small things right before launch — test, proof, and polish — and your site will not only impress, it will convert.