Website Handoff Checklist for Freelancers: What to Give a Client on Launch Day
Launch day should end with a happy client, not a trail of loose ends. A proper handoff means the client owns what they paid for, knows how to use it and has proof that it was checked. Use this checklist to close a project cleanly and cut the support emails that arrive weeks later.
Ownership and access
- Domain registered in the client's name, or a written note saying who holds it.
- Hosting account in the client's name, or a clear hosting and maintenance agreement.
- Admin logins for the website and any key tools, shared through a password manager.
- A list of every third-party service used, such as email, forms and analytics, with who pays.
Quality check before you hand over
- Click every menu item, button and form on desktop and on a phone.
- Check titles, descriptions and social sharing cards on the main pages.
- Confirm the site loads over HTTPS and redirects the old address correctly.
- Run an audit on the live domain and fix anything marked critical.
Search and tracking
- robots.txt and the noindex settings allow the site to be indexed.
- A sitemap exists and has been submitted in Search Console.
- Analytics is set up under the client's own account, if they want it.
Documentation the client can use
Give a short guide in plain language: how to log in, edit text, replace images, publish changes and who to call for help. Screenshots or a short screen recording save many follow-up questions.
Backups and safety
Explain how backups are made, where they are kept and how to restore one. Agree who updates plugins and software after launch, and whether that is part of a maintenance plan.
Written sign-off
- Share the final audit report with the client.
- List anything agreed to leave until later.
- Ask for a short written approval that the site is accepted.
- Agree what happens next: support period, changes and billing.
Use a branded report as your closing document
Nyrolo gives each audit a private shareable link. On the Pro plan you can export a white-label PDF with your own name, logo and colour, which makes a neat attachment for your sign-off email.
Frequently asked questions
Should the client own the domain?
In most cases yes. It avoids disputes later. If you hold it for them, write down who owns it and how it can be transferred.
How long should I offer support after launch?
Agree a fixed period, such as a few weeks of bug fixes, and describe what is covered. Anything beyond that becomes paid maintenance.
What if the client will not sign off?
Ask what is missing, list it and fix it. A written list of remaining items keeps the conversation clear and finite.
Keep reading
Check your own site in about 15 seconds
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