Launch checklist for resellers
This page is for project leads at resellers. Work through it before every customer launch. The technical items follow the hosting section's go-live list (New customer site go-live); this list adds the reseller's commercial and customer items.
Contents
Commercial
- To do: Contract signed, including data processing terms and exit clause (Contracts with customers).
- To do: Tier and service levels confirmed in writing (Service level design).
- To do: First invoice scheduled (Invoicing and taxes).
- To do: Subcontractors (hosting supplier, white-label services) confirmed for this customer.
- To do: "Powered by Exponential" credit agreed or declined (Showing Powered by Exponential).
Technical
- To do: Server meets the requirements; web PHP and command-line PHP match (Hosting requirements).
- To do: Newest 6.0.x release and current extension versions installed (Keeping customers current).
- To do: Setup > Upgrade check clean (The upgrade check).
- To do: Every host name in DNS, the web server or Velocity, and the certificate; each siteaccess reaches the right site (Multi-site offers).
- To do: Cron jobs running (Cronjobs).
- To do: Mail delivery tested (Mail delivery).
- To do: Caches and performance checked under expected load (Benchmarking a hosted site).
Security
- To do: Hardening applied; debug output off (Security responsibilities of resellers).
- To do: Default passwords changed; personal accounts only; customer has own administrator account.
- To do: Two-step sign-in offered to administrators.
- To do: Demo mode is not set: no
EXP_DEMO_MODEin the site's pool, virtual host, service units or crontab (Demo mode for hosts). - To do: Backups running; one restore tested (Restore and restore tests).
- To do: Monitoring of front page and administration (Health checks and uptime).
Content and quality
- To do: Accessibility of the public design checked (Accessibility standards).
- To do: Redirects from old addresses in place (URLs, redirects and moved pages).
- To do: Privacy notice and consent texts written by the customer.
- To do: Store sites: payment, VAT and confirmation mail tested (Store launch checklist).
- To do: Languages: every language reachable, right-to-left tested if needed (Multilingual offers).
People and documents
- To do: Editors trained (Training reseller).
- To do: Customer manual handed over, with notices kept (Documentation you can give your customers).
- To do: Welcome letter with contacts and support hours sent (Onboarding customers).
- To do: Site added to your inventory and your monthly routine.
Launch day and the day after
- To do: Switch DNS or go live in an agreed window; staff on hand.
- To do: Check front page, administration, a test publish, forms, search.
- To do: Check Setup > Log files after the first hours.
- To do: Send the customer a short "live" note with what to watch for.
- To do: One week later: review logs, tickets and editor questions.
Related pages
- New customer site go-live
- Onboarding customers
- Monthly checklist for resellers
- Free documentation: this page is free to copy, translate and improve under the GNU FDL 1.3.
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