New Client Onboarding Checklist

[ ] Send the agreement or acceptance confirmation
[ ] Send the deposit invoice with payment link
[ ] Send the welcome email (see Welcome Email for a New Customer)
[ ] Create the client record: [CRM / folder / project tool]
[ ] Create the file structure (see File and Folder Naming Convention)
[ ] Book the kickoff meeting — date and time confirmed
[ ] Add all key dates to the calendar
[ ] Notify anyone on your team who'll be involved

[ ] Send the intake questionnaire (see Client Intake Questionnaire)
[ ] Request access to [systems, accounts, locations] — with their own credentials, never shared logins
[ ] Confirm the main point of contact and the approver
[ ] Confirm the preferred communication channel and response expectations
[ ] Confirm invoicing details: billing contact, PO number, payment terms
[ ] Confirm deposit received — chase on day 3 if not

[ ] Review their questionnaire answers before the meeting
[ ] Hold the kickoff meeting
    - Confirm objectives and how success is measured
    - Walk through the timeline and milestones
    - Confirm what you need from them and when
    - Agree on the review and approval process
    - Agree on how changes to scope are handled
[ ] Send kickoff notes within 24 hours
[ ] Share the project plan or schedule
[ ] Begin work on the first deliverable

[ ] Deliver something visible in the first two weeks, even if small
[ ] Send the first progress update (see Project Status Update Template)
[ ] Check in on how the process feels so far — not just the work
[ ] Confirm nothing is blocked on their side
[ ] Log any early scope questions in writing

[ ] Ask directly: "Is this working the way you expected?"
[ ] Confirm invoicing is running smoothly
[ ] Note anything about this onboarding that should change for next time
[ ] Update the checklist itself if you found a gap