Client Onboarding Checklist (Free Template): 15 Steps to Start Projects Faster

A great client onboarding checklist does two things:

1. It protects your team from rework and missing context.
2. It protects the client relationship in the most fragile period: right after they say yes.

Below is a simple checklist you can run for almost any service (marketing, design, dev, consulting). At the end, you can download a ready-to-use template.

The 15-step client onboarding checklist

Phase 1: Day 0 (the moment they sign)

1. Confirm scope + deliverables (what's in / out)
2. Get the contract signed (and store it in a standard place)
3. Collect payment details / first invoice
4. Create the client record in your CRM / PM tool
5. Send a welcome message within 2 hours (human tone, clear next step)

Phase 2: Days 1–3 (collect what you need)

6. Intake questionnaire (keep it focused: goals, audience, constraints, success metrics)
7. Brand assets (logo, colors, fonts, guidelines)
8. Access & credentials (Analytics, CMS, ad accounts, social accounts, DNS) — securely
9. Shared file structure (deliverables, assets, approvals)
10. Automated reminders for incomplete steps (24h / 48h)

Phase 3: Days 3–7 (align and start)

11. Internal handoff (sales → delivery: promises made, risks, stakeholders)
12. Set communication rules (cadence, channels, response times)
13. Prepare kickoff agenda + send it in advance
14. Run kickoff (confirm goals, timeline, responsibilities)
15. Send recap within 24h (decisions, action items, next milestones)

Common checklist mistakes (and quick fixes)

• Too many steps at once → break tasks into phases with clear deadlines
• Chasing via manual email → use automated reminders and a single portal
• No ownership → assign an owner per step ("the team" isn't an owner)
• No verification → test access immediately to avoid week-2 delays

Download the free template

If you want a copy-paste version you can drop into Notion, ClickUp, Asana, or Google Docs:

Get it here: /resources/client-onboarding-checklist

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If you want this checklist to run itself (portal + reminders + progress tracking), that's exactly what OnboardFlow is built for.