Introduction
Launching your new website involves several coordinated steps to ensure a smooth transition without data loss, SEO issues, or downtime. This article explains exactly what happens on launch day, who is responsible for each step, and what you should be aware of — especially around content migration and manual tasks that may be needed.
Use this guide to prepare your team and avoid surprises during the launch process.
1. Final Article Migration
What Happens
On launch day, we complete the final migration of all articles that were published after the last staged export, ensuring no content gap.
Before launch:
You export the current database one final time (usually around 11:00 AM).
This export is migrated to your new website.
If we have database access, we export it ourselves.
If not, we will ask you to provide it.
Important Notes
Articles published or scheduled between the final export and the launch time (typically 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM) will not be included in the automated migration.
Editors will need to manually add these articles on the new website after launch.
Tips:
Communicate with your editorial team about this window.
Prepare a list of any content scheduled during the gap to avoid missing important posts.
2. Creating 301 Redirects (SEO)
What a 301 Redirect Is
A 301 redirect permanently points an old URL to a new URL.
It tells search engines that a page has moved and preserves SEO value.
Why This Matters
Keeps your search rankings intact.
Ensures visitors using old links still reach the right page.
What We Do
We will automatically create 301 redirects for all pages from the old site to the corresponding pages on the new site.
3. DNS / Nameserver Configuration
We manage domains using Cloudflare. To keep full ownership and visibility on your side, we ask your team to create a Cloudflare account for your domain (or use an existing one).
Note: If your team can’t handle the setup, we can manage the Cloudflare setup for you.
Once the Cloudflare account is ready, please invite our CTO Kamal as an Admin, then update your domain’s nameservers at your domain registrar to the nameservers provided by Cloudflare.
Important: This step should be completed at least 48 hours before the scheduled launch to allow time for DNS propagation and verification.
After the nameserver change is active, we will verify the DNS records and confirm everything required for launch is correctly configured, so the new website is displayed when visitors access your URL.
4. New Admin URL
After launch, your admin login moves from:
<website>.newsifier.com/admin
to:
<website URL>.cl1-cms-newsifier.com/admin
Example:
fr12.newsifier.com/admin → fr12-nl.cl1-cms-newsifier.com/admin
Login Info:
You will use the same username and password as before — no need to reset anything.
5. Adding the SSL Certificate
Immediately after we verify the DNS configuration on launch day, we will install the SSL certificate for the website.
An SSL certificate ensures a secure connection between the web server and the visitor’s browser. This means all data exchanged between the website and the visitor, such as personal information or payment details, is encrypted.
Additionally, this is important for SEO. Search engines like Google prefer secure websites and reward them with higher rankings in search results.
6. Updating Your Sitemap in Google Search Console
Once your DNS switch is complete, you should update your sitemap in Google Search Console.
Why this is important:
Tells Google where to find all your updated pages.
Helps ensure smooth and accurate indexing.
How to do this:
You can submit the updated sitemap URL within your Google Search Console account.
Summary: Launch Day Steps
Final content export at ~11:00 AM and migrate.
301 redirects set up for all old → new links.
Configure DNS Records to launch the new website.
Update to the new admin URL with existing login credentials.
Install SSL certificate for security and SEO.
Update your sitemap in Google Search Console.