Client Implementation Checklist - Guide
Purpose: This is the single source of truth for tracking all client implementation work. One checklist per client, from contract signing through operational status.
The Template
Location: 04-operations/templates/client-implementation-checklist-template.csv
Format: CSV for easy import into spreadsheets, ClickUp, or other tools
Stages Overview
| Stage | Description | Owner | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. CONTRACT SIGNED | Sales handoff, client info collection, project setup | Sales → Impl | 1-2 days |
| 2. SETUP | Sub-account creation, snapshot loading, phone/user setup | Implementation | 1-2 days |
| 3. ONBOARDING | Domains, custom values, automations, funnels, testing | Implementation | 5-10 days |
| 4. TRAINING | Client training session and handoff materials | Client Success | 1-2 days |
| 5. GO-LIVE | Activation and monitoring | Implementation | 1-2 days |
| 6. OPERATIONAL | 30-day checkpoints and CS handoff | Client Success | 30 days |
| OPTIONAL: SEO SETUP | SearchAtlas/OTTO foundation (Professional/Enterprise) | SEO | 2-3 days |
| OPTIONAL: WEBSITE BUILD | New site build or migration | Design + Impl | 2-4 weeks |
| OPTIONAL: CLIENT ITEMS | Additional items client must provide | Client | Varies |
Total Timeline: 10-14 days to go-live, plus 30-day operational period
How to Use This Checklist
1. Copy for Each New Client
When a new client signs:
- Copy
client-implementation-checklist-template.csv - Rename to:
[clientname]-implementation-checklist.csv - Save to client folder:
09-clients/[clientname]/ - Import into ClickUp if tracking there
2. Update Status Values
Use these status values:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
Not Started | Task not yet begun |
In Progress | Currently working on |
Blocked | Waiting on something (add note) |
Complete | Finished |
N/A | Not applicable to this client |
3. Assign and Date
- Assignee: Use role codes:
Sales,Impl,AM,CS,Client,Design,Content - Due Date: Set realistic dates accounting for dependencies
- Notes: Add client-specific details, blockers, decisions
4. Track Progress
- Review checklist daily during active implementation
- Update status as tasks complete
- Flag blockers immediately
- Report progress in weekly sync
Customization Guidelines
When to Mark N/A
Mark tasks as N/A when:
- WhatsApp Setup: US clients (use SMS instead)
- SMS Setup: Non-US clients (use WhatsApp instead)
- B-005 Payment: Client handles payments outside GHL
- Lead Magnets: Not in scope for this client
- Additional Landing Pages: Only one LP needed
When to Add Tasks
Add rows for:
- Additional landing pages beyond LP1
- Additional lead magnets beyond LM1
- Additional calendar types beyond 2
- Client-specific integrations
- Custom workflows not in base snapshot
When to Remove Tasks
Never delete template rows. Mark as N/A instead. This preserves the template structure for consistency.
Section Details
CONTRACT SIGNED
Sales Handoff:
- Ensure clean transfer of all client information
- Document any promises or special requirements
- Confirm payment received before starting work
Client Info:
- Collect all required information upfront
- Missing info = delays later
- Verify accuracy (especially timezone, currency for non-US)
Project Setup:
- Create folders BEFORE starting technical work
- Payment tracking contact enables billing visibility
SETUP
Sub-Account:
- Always verify timezone and currency match client location
- Record Account ID in notes for reference
Snapshot:
- Use decision tree in KB-004 for selection
- Always use latest version
- Verify all components loaded before proceeding
Phone/WhatsApp:
- US clients: Phone + SMS (A2P registration required)
- Non-US clients: WhatsApp Business API (no SMS)
- Test both inbound and outbound
ONBOARDING
Domains:
- DNS propagation takes 24-48 hours
- Always verify with external tools (dnschecker.org, mxtoolbox)
- SSL must be active before connecting funnels
Custom Values:
- All 98 values must be populated
- Test custom value merge in actual templates
B-Module Automations:
- Audit EVERY workflow for SMS usage
- Convert ALL SMS to WhatsApp for non-US clients
- Test each automation end-to-end
Funnels/Landing Pages:
- All funnels must connect to the same domain
- Each LP needs its own source tag for attribution
Testing:
- Comprehensive testing prevents go-live issues
- Test as if you were a real lead
TRAINING
- Record every training session
- Quick reference guide is essential for client retention
- Confirm client can actually log in and navigate
GO-LIVE
- Monitor closely for first 24-48 hours
- Be available for quick fixes
- Document any issues that arise
OPERATIONAL
- 30-day period validates the implementation
- Checkpoints catch issues early
- Implementation summary document is critical for CS handoff
Optional Stages
The master checklist includes three optional sections after Stage 6. These are conditional add-ons — not every client needs them. Include them when the scope of work requires it.
SEO Setup (if in scope)
When to include: Client is on a Professional ($397/mo) or Enterprise ($997/mo) plan that includes the one-time SEO foundation service.
What it covers (summary level):
- SearchAtlas project creation
- OTTO SEO installation and configuration
- Technical audit and fixes
- On-page SEO optimization
- XML sitemap and Google Search Console integration
- Keyword research and rank tracking baseline
Detailed SOP: One-Time SEO Setup — contains full step-by-step instructions for each component.
Website Build / Migration (if in scope)
When to include: Client needs a new website built on the platform, or an existing site migrated (e.g., from WordPress to GHL funnels).
What it covers (summary level):
- Pre-migration asset collection
- Domain and hosting configuration
- Website build (pages, content, branding)
- SEO configuration and redirects
- Analytics and tracking setup
- Email configuration for forms
- Functional testing and go-live monitoring
Detailed checklists:
- Site Migration Checklist — 200+ item migration template
- Website Functional Testing — UI, content, mobile, performance QA
- Post-Launch Monitoring — Day 1 through Month 3 monitoring
- Email Subdomain Validation — Deep DNS validation beyond what the CSV covers
Client Getting Started Items (if not already collected)
When to include: Client has not yet provided access credentials or verification documents beyond what CONTRACT SIGNED covers. Particularly important when SEO or website work is in scope, since those require additional access grants.
What it covers:
- CP575/EIN verification document (required for A2P SMS)
- Domain registrar login credentials
- Google Business Profile access (Manager role)
- Google Analytics access (Editor role)
- Google Search Console access (Full user)
Detailed checklist: Client Getting Started Checklist — client-facing document explaining what each item is and where to find it.
Integration with Other Systems
ClickUp
The checklist can be imported into ClickUp:
- Import CSV as a new list
- Stage → Status column
- Section → Group by field
- Use checklist view for easy tracking
Google Sheets
For spreadsheet tracking:
- Import CSV into Google Sheets
- Add conditional formatting for status colors
- Share with team for collaborative updates
This Repository
Client checklists are stored at:
09-clients/[clientname]/[clientname]-implementation-checklist.csv
Verification Checklists
The master CSV above is a project tracker -- it tracks timeline, assignees, and stages across the full implementation lifecycle. The verification checklists below are QA passes -- focused "is this deliverable complete and correct?" checks run at specific milestones.
| Checklist | When to Use | Location |
|---|---|---|
| GHL Account Setup Verification | After Stage 2 (SETUP) complete | 04-operations/checklists/ghl-account-setup-verification.csv |
| Client Onboarding Verification | After Stage 3 (ONBOARDING) complete, before Stage 4 (TRAINING) | 04-operations/checklists/client-onboarding-verification.csv |
| Client Website Verification | After website build/migration, before go-live | 04-operations/checklists/client-website-verification.csv |
| Client E2E Functionality Verification | After onboarding + website complete, before Stage 5 (GO-LIVE) | 04-operations/checklists/client-e2e-functionality-verification.csv |
Workflow: Complete master CSV stage tasks first, then run the corresponding verification checklist as a QA gate before proceeding to the next stage.
All verification CSVs use the same column format (Stage,Section,Task,Status,Assignee,Due Date,Notes,Client-Visible) and can be imported into ClickUp as standalone lists.
Related Documents
- Client Onboarding Procedure - Detailed instructions for each task
- Google Drive Organization Standard - Folder setup
- Checklist Template (Generic) - General checklist format
Changelog
| Version | Date | Changes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 2025-12-10 | Initial creation - consolidated from various sources |
| 1.1 | 2026-02-19 | Added optional stages (SEO, Website, Client Items) with satellite checklist cross-references |
| 1.2 | 2026-03-12 | Added Verification Checklists section (4 milestone QA CSVs) |
| 1.3 | 2026-05-15 | Marked for publication on team.symphonycore.com (publish_to: [internal-wiki]). The companion CSV (client-implementation-checklist-template.csv) is not yet syncable to the team site — sync currently scans **/*.md only. CSV publishing tracked in internal-docs#3. Until merged, the CSV is reachable via GitHub raw URL |
Single Source of Truth: This is the ONE checklist. Do not maintain parallel lists.