Client handoff checklist

How to use this

Use this checklist in the week after launch to hand the site over properly. A good handoff means three things: the client owns their accounts, they know how to get help, and they know what happens next, including the yearly renewal if they chose maintenance. Work through it in order, then send the handoff email at the bottom. Keep a copy in your project folder, because it is the record of what you handed over and when.

This is not legal advice. Account ownership, licenses and data handling can have legal consequences. If the client has questions about contracts, privacy or ownership, point them to a qualified professional.

Project details

Field	Value
Client	[Business name]
Site	[domain.com]
Launch date	[Date]
Handoff date	[Date]
Maintenance plan	[Yes, renews on [date] / No]

Final payment

• Balance invoice sent
• Balance paid
• Receipt sent

Accounts the client must own

For each account, the client should be the owner, with their own login. You can be added as a user if you are maintaining the site.

Account	Provider	Owner email	Client has login	You have access	Notes
Domain registrar	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[Renewal date]
DNS	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Hosting	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Email on the domain	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Form service	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Analytics	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Search engine site tools	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Booking tool	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Code repository	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Other paid tools or licenses	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]

• Every account above is in the client's name, or they agreed in writing that you hold it
• The domain renewal date is written down and auto renew is on, if the client wants it
• The client has a safe place to keep their logins (a password manager is ideal)
• No passwords were sent in plain email. You used a secure sharing method or had them set their own
• Two step verification is on for the domain and hosting accounts

Files and assets

• Final logo and image files shared in a folder the client owns
• Only if the buyout fee was paid: source code or project export shared, or access to the repository given
• Any licenses for fonts, photos or plugins listed with where they were bought
• A backup of the launched site saved, with the date

Training

• Short walkthrough call done (15 to 30 minutes is usually enough)
• Showed the client how to make the edits they are allowed to make
• Recorded the walkthrough, with their permission, and shared it
• Showed where form submissions arrive
• Showed how to see basic visitor numbers in analytics

Support and next steps

• Client knows how to request a change: [email / form / other]
• Client knows what counts as a small change under maintenance and what will be quoted
• Client knows your normal response time: [number] business days
• Client knows what to do if the site looks broken
• Renewal date and price for maintenance confirmed in writing
• A check in reminder set for [30] days after launch
• Asked whether you may show the site in your portfolio
• Asked, only if they are happy, whether they would introduce you to someone who needs a site

Your internal records

• Project folder archived with the brief, proposal, invoices and this checklist
• Client added to your maintenance list, with renewal date
• Monitoring set up for the live site, if included
• Notes written on what went well and what to do differently next time

Handoff email

Subject: [Business name] website: handoff and next steps

Hi [First name],

Your new site is live at [domain.com], and here's everything in one place
so you have it for later.

What you own
* Domain: [registrar], renews on [date]
* Hosting: [provider, run by us under your care plan / your account]
* Forms send to: [email]
* Analytics: [tool]
You should have your own login to each one. If any of them don't work,
tell me and I'll sort it out.

Making changes
[If maintenance:] Your care plan covers [summary]. Just email me at
[email] and I'll reply within [number] business days.
[If no maintenance:] You can edit [parts] yourself using the walkthrough
video here: [link]. For anything else, email me and I'll quote it.

If something looks broken
Email me at [email] with a screenshot and the page address.

[If maintenance:] Your plan renews on [date] at [$amount]. I'll remind
you a month before.

Thanks for trusting me with this. It was a pleasure to build.

[Your name]
[Your business name]