Startup launch checklist

Use this to get the basics in place before you build. You do not need to finish every item today. Mark what is decided, what needs a decision and what can wait.

1. Customer and problem

  • [ ] I can describe one type of customer in plain language.
  • [ ] I know what problem they have and when it occurs.
  • [ ] I have spoken to at least five people who resemble this customer.
  • [ ] I can explain what they use today and why it falls short.
  • [ ] I have separated evidence from assumptions.

2. Offer and first test

  • [ ] I can describe the result I want to help the customer achieve.
  • [ ] The first version solves one clear problem.
  • [ ] I know what is out of scope for the first release.
  • [ ] I have chosen a small test: interviews, a landing page, a waitlist or a paid pilot.
  • [ ] I know what result would make me continue, change direction or stop.

3. Accounts and ownership

  • [ ] Business email and domain are under business control.
  • [ ] The code repository belongs to an account I control.
  • [ ] A password manager and two-factor authentication are set up.
  • [ ] Billing, hosting and third-party accounts have named owners.
  • [ ] Recovery methods are stored safely and are not shared in code.

4. Product and data

  • [ ] I have chosen the smallest useful technology stack.
  • [ ] Development and live environments are kept separate.
  • [ ] Secrets and API keys are not committed to the repository.
  • [ ] I know what personal data the product collects and why.
  • [ ] I have a backup and a way to restore the service.
  • [ ] I have tested the main task on a phone and desktop.

5. Sales and marketing

  • [ ] I can explain the offer in one short paragraph.
  • [ ] The website has one main action for a new visitor.
  • [ ] My first useful content answers a real customer question.
  • [ ] I have chosen a manageable posting rhythm.
  • [ ] I have a place to record enquiries and agreed follow-ups.
  • [ ] Any outreach has a clear audience, honest reason and opt-out process.

6. Before launch

  • [ ] The main user journey works from start to finish.
  • [ ] Contact details, links and calls to action are correct.
  • [ ] Privacy information describes the data actually collected.
  • [ ] I know how to handle support requests and service problems.
  • [ ] I have a simple way to learn what users do and where they get stuck.
  • [ ] I have picked a review date and one metric to watch.

First five actions

  1. Write down the customer and problem in one sentence.
  2. List the five assumptions most likely to make the idea fail.
  3. Book conversations with people who match the customer.
  4. Choose one small test before building a full product.
  5. Set up ownership, access and recovery for the accounts you need.

Read the free AI startup setup guide.