Client Onboarding Checklist for Agencies and Consultants

Why does client onboarding matter?

The first two weeks set the tone for the whole engagement. When expectations, access, and communication are settled early, work moves faster and there are fewer disagreements later. A repeatable checklist also means no step depends on one person's memory.

The client onboarding checklist

1. Confirm scope and deliverables in writing. List what is included, what is not, and how many revision rounds are covered.
2. Get the agreement signed. Make sure payment terms, timelines, and ownership are clear before work starts.
3. Collect the first payment. Send the deposit invoice right after signing.
4. Create a private client space. Give the client one place for progress, files, and messages.
5. Gather access and assets. Request logins, brand files, content, and contacts in a single organized request.
6. Name the decision-maker. Identify who approves work and who handles invoices.
7. Schedule the kickoff meeting. Review goals, timeline, milestones, and success measures.
8. Agree on communication rules. Decide where updates happen, expected response times, and meeting cadence.
9. Share the timeline. Show milestones and approval points so the client knows when you will need them.

What should happen in the kickoff meeting?

• Restate the goals in the client's own words.
• Walk through the timeline, milestones, and approval points.
• Confirm who is responsible for what on both sides.
• Agree how feedback will be given and how change requests are handled.
• Set the date of the first check-in.

Common onboarding mistakes to avoid

• Starting work before the agreement and deposit are in place.
• Collecting access and files across many separate emails.
• Leaving communication channels undefined, which leads to messages in five places.
• Skipping the decision-maker conversation, then waiting on the wrong person.

How Merci Apps supports onboarding

With Merci Apps you can create a project, give the client a private space, store agreements and documents, run the kickoff in the built-in video room, and send the first invoice, all from one workspace. Start a 14-day free trial, with no credit card, and use this checklist on your next client.