What should be on a client onboarding checklist for an agency?
A good onboarding checklist covers the signed agreement and first payment, a kickoff call, collecting logins and brand assets, agreeing goals and reporting, setting the content or project calendar, and delivering a first quick win in the first two weeks. PalmGro Flow turns such a checklist into tasks with deadlines for every new client.
Why onboarding decides the relationship
The first 30 days set the client's opinion of you. A messy start (missing logins, delayed first post, confused contacts) is remembered for the whole contract. A smooth start builds trust that survives later hiccups.
The checklist
Before work starts
- Proposal accepted and agreement signed.
- First invoice paid or advance received.
- Client added to your system with contacts and billing details.
Kickoff (week 1)
- Kickoff call: goals, audience, competitors, approvals process.
- One point of contact on each side.
- Communication channel and update rhythm agreed.
Access and assets
- Logins: social accounts, ad account, website, analytics. Store them securely. See storing client passwords safely.
- Brand kit: logo, fonts, colours, past creatives.
Plan (week 1 to 2)
- Content or project calendar for the first month.
- KPIs and reporting date agreed.
First win (week 2)
- Deliver something visible quickly: first posts live, a landing page draft, first campaign running.
Make it the same every time
Write the checklist once and give each item an owner and a "days from start" deadline. Every new client then gets the same experience, even when the account manager changes.
How PalmGro Flow helps
In PalmGro Flow you save onboarding checklists once (Agency → Setup) and start one for every new client in a tap. The steps become real tasks with deadlines and an owner. You can also set onboarding to start automatically when a new client is added, and track it next to the client's projects and invoices.
Questions people ask
How long should client onboarding take?
One to two weeks for most agency retainers. Complex projects may need a longer discovery phase.
Should onboarding be paid?
Many agencies charge a setup fee or take the first month in advance, which covers onboarding work.
Who should own client onboarding?
The account manager, with tasks assigned to designers, ad managers and others by the checklist.
PalmGro Flow brings your team, clients, tasks, attendance and money into one place, on phone and computer. Try it free, no card needed.Set it up for your team in minutes.