The Launch Readiness Checklist You Didn’t Know You Needed
- Catherine St Clair
- Jan 27
- 3 min read
Most product launches fail—not because the product isn’t great, but because the go-to-market execution is rushed, scattered, or incomplete.
Many Founders think they’re ready to launch when they have:
A feature-complete product
A landing page
A press release or a few LinkedIn posts
But that’s not launch readiness.
A truly successful launch requires alignment across product, marketing, sales, and customer success—so when the big day comes, you’re not just pushing something out into the world… you’re setting it up to scale.
Here’s the launch readiness checklist you didn’t know you needed.
Phase 1
Strategic Alignment (Before You Even Think About Promotion)
Define Your Launch Tier Is this a soft launch, beta, or a full-blown GTM push? Not all launches need the same level of effort.
Clarify Your Messaging Can you explain in one clear sentence why this product/feature matters? If you can’t, you’re not ready.
Identify Your Ideal Customers (for This Launch) Even if you have a broad ICP, who will benefit the most right now?
Align Internal Teams Sales, CS, and leadership need to be on the same page. If sales can’t pitch it, or CS isn’t ready to support it, the launch will flop.
Establish Your Success Metrics What will tell you if the launch is working? Signups, revenue, retention? Define it before you go live.
Phase 2
Pre-Launch Execution (Set the Foundation Before You Announce Anything)
Update Your Website & Landing Pages Is your site ready to convert visitors? (Check messaging, SEO, CTA placement, and mobile experience.)
Enable the Sales Team Have you created battle cards, email templates, and a clear pitch for sales? If not, they won’t sell it effectively.
Prepare Customer Success Do they have support docs, FAQs, and a plan for onboarding new users?
Warm Up Your Audience Start teasing the launch before the big day—build anticipation through content, email, and social.
Identify Early Adopters Have a plan for getting the first wave of customers engaged (beta testers, influencers, loyal users)?
Phase 3
The Launch Moment (Make the Biggest Impact Possible)
Coordinate Your Marketing Push Press release, LinkedIn posts, email campaigns, partnerships—ensure everything fires at the right time.
Run Internal “Day Of” QA Double-check links, checkout flows, and onboarding processes—nothing kills a launch faster than a broken experience.
Engage in Real-Time Respond to comments, answer questions, and amplify momentum as it happens.
Monitor Performance Closely Track traffic, signups, and conversion rates—pivot if necessary.
Phase 4
Post-Launch Optimization (What Happens After the Hype Dies Down?)
Gather Early Feedback & Adjust Are new users struggling with onboarding? What’s stopping them from converting? Address issues quickly.
Reinforce Messaging & Proof Points Start gathering testimonials, case studies, and social proof to sustain momentum.
Double Down on What’s Working If a specific channel is driving results (SEO, partnerships, paid ads), lean in hard.
Plan the Next GTM Push A launch isn’t a one-day event. What’s the follow-up campaign? How do you keep driving adoption?
The Bottom Line
Launch Checklists Set You Up to Scale
Many companies focus too much on the “go live” date and not enough on preparing every team, channel, and process to support the launch.
If you’re not checking at least 80% of these boxes, your launch isn’t ready.
Want a second set of eyes on your launch strategy? I help Founders nail their GTM strategy and set their product up for real traction. Let’s talk.
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