Shopify Store Launch Checklist: Technical Checks Before You Go Live
Shopify handles hosting and HTTPS for you, which removes some launch risks. Others remain: a storefront still locked behind a password, wrong redirects after a domain change, test orders never run, thin product pages. Use this list as a technical check before the store opens.
Access and domain
- Remove the storefront password. While a store is in development it can be password-protected. Make sure that is switched off when you launch, or customers and search engines will see a login page.
- Set the primary domain. Connect the custom domain, choose the preferred version, and confirm other versions redirect to it.
- Check redirects. If the store replaces an older website, add redirects from the important old URLs to their new equivalents.
Orders and policies
- Place test orders. Run a full checkout using a test payment method or a small real order, and confirm the confirmation email, stock count and order details are right.
- Check shipping, tax and payment settings for every region you sell to.
- Publish policies. Refund, privacy, terms and shipping policies should be in place and linked from the footer.
Product pages and SEO
- Write unique titles and descriptions for key products and collections, instead of copying supplier text.
- Add alt text to product images and compress large photos.
- Check the sitemap. Shopify generates a sitemap automatically, so confirm it loads and submit it in Google Search Console.
- Make sure there is a useful 404 page and working navigation.
Final check
Run an audit on the live store before launch to catch broken links, missing titles and descriptions, missing social tags and leftover placeholder text. Nyrolo includes Shopify-specific fix steps. It checks what the server sends, so checkout flows still need a manual test.
Frequently asked questions
Why do customers see a password page on my store?
The storefront password is still switched on. Turn it off in the store's online store preferences before launch.
Does Shopify create a sitemap automatically?
Yes, Shopify generates a sitemap for the store. Check it loads and submit it in Google Search Console.
Do I need redirects when I move a store to Shopify?
If the old site had pages with rankings or links, yes. Redirect the important old URLs to the new ones so visitors and search engines land in the right place.
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