The document provides a checklist for deploying a WordPress site to a live server. It consists of 7 steps: 1) Make a backup of the database and wp-content folder, 2) Inventory check of site content and plugins, 3) Systems check of images, speeds, security, etc., 4) Check site transmissions like SMTP and APIs, 5) Improve security with monitoring, backups, and login protection, 6) Make another backup, and 7) Update DNS records to point to the live server. The final step is to ensure smooth sailing ongoing with logging, backups, and uptime monitoring.

1. Prepare for Flight:
A Pre-Launch Checklist
for Life on the Web
WordCamp Minneapolis/St. Paul 2017
#wcmsp @WordCampMpls

2. @jesscga
@jessicacgardner
http://jessicacgardner.com
Who I am
&
where to find me

3. Quick Poll:
What’s your deployment process?

4. My Process
★ Build out on dev server
★ Create account on live server with final URL
★ Move site files, import database
★ Update Hosts file
★ Checklist
★ Update DNS

7. RSB = Rehydratable spoon-bowl
WP = Wet pack
IMB = intermediate moisture bite
DB = Dry bite
R = Rehydratable

8. Why have a checklist?
1. Save brain power and time
2. Break down tasks = less overwhelm
3. Due diligence and delegation
4. Documentation!
*Checklists are iterative*

10. Assumptions
● Content is entered and proofed
● Site is migrated to live server

11. 1.Make a Backup
● database
● /wp-content

12. 2. Inventory Check
● tagline
● dummy content
● plugins
● media
● themes
● users
● check database
(get rid of what you don’t need)

13. https://interconnectit.com/products/search-and-replace-for-wordpress-databases/

14. 3. Systems Check
● Images
● Redirects
● Speed
● Responsiveness
● Security Audit
● Browser Check
● Search
● Contact Info
● Photoshop/EWWW Image
Optimizer
● Redirection
● GTmetrix, Pingdom, Google
PageSpeed
● Google Mobile Test
● WP Health Check
● Plugin Vulnerabilities
● BrowserStack
(check the stuff you’re keeping)

15. https://wordpress.org/plugins/my-wp-health-check/

16. 4. Check Transmission
● SMTP
● Social Sharing
● APIs
● Licenses
● Admin Email
● Form Notifications
● Sitemap
● Postman SMTP
● Jetpack
(talk to the rest of the world)

18. 5. Buckle Up, Lock the Doors
● Security Monitoring
● Backup Automation
● User Audit
● Hardening
● Hide Login Page
● SSL
● Firewall
● Cloud Proxy
● Spam Protection
● Brute Force
● 2FA
● Restrict Dashboard
(safety and security)

19. 6. Make a Backup
● database
● /wp-content

20. 7. Take Off
● update DNS
(...and then wait)

21. 8. Ensure Smooth Sailing
● Logging
● History
● Backups
● Documentation
● Uptime Monitoring
● debug log, php error log
● Simple History
● BackWPUp
(fly on, little website...)