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    Onboard a new client to Klaviyo

    Course overview
    Lesson
    3 min read

    Own the onboarding timeline

    In the first 60 days, clients decide whether to trust you. One misordered milestone can cost months of credibility (and revenue).

    Your onboard a client to Klaviyo project plan

    Before we move forward, we want to share this guide with you.The best client implementations follow a tight project plan, so we created one for you! Check out our comprehensive Onboard a Client to Klaviyo project plan .

    What else is there to onboarding a client to Klaviyo?

    A great implementation is equal parts building momentum and equal parts groundwork that sets your client up for success.

    When that groundwork breaks down, the client sees the damage and you own the recovery.

    What a failed onboarding actually looks like
    It starts with...crickets...
    1

    The contract is signed and emails go out but the client never books a kickoff. You're wondering if this person remembers that they are paying money for Klaviyo and your services.

    Then, when you do connect, you're met with immediate blockers
    2

    Copy approvals, integrations, domain setup: each one takes longer than it should and your small request seems like a full project.

    Soon comes the pressure
    3

    Deadline panic sets in. The client pushes to move fast and skips the warming plan. A large, cold campaign goes out and domain reputation takes a hit overnight. Your 'easy implementation' is now a big monster you're in charge of taming.

    Now they're questioning everything
    4

    The milestones get marked complete or cancelled in your systems. This was supposed to be an easy project, but the reality is this: the client never reaches a healthy, stable foundation in Klaviyo and they know it.

    Your job in onboarding is to recognize which of these stories you're in by week two and intervene early enough to change the ending.

    Key onboarding milestones and what they entail:

    The table below covers each milestone: timeline, tasks, and what done looks like.

    Timeline

    Milestone

    What happens

    End goal

    Day 1

    Kickoff

    • Team introductions
    • Goal alignment
    • Scope of work determined

    Leave with an understanding of the timeline, ownership, and goals.

    Day 1 - 21

    Deliverability & Account setup

    • Authenticate branded sending domain and DMARC

    Configure client account and set up branding domain

    Day 1 - 21

    Integrations

    • Integrate eCommerce website
    • Import subscriber data

    Master list, engagement segments and suppression list are all in Klaviyo. Data is flowing from the client store and onsite events are confirmed live. The account has the data it needs to trigger flows and build segments. And we have a clear date from when to stop sending from old ESP and SMS provider.

    Day 1 - 60

    Warming

    • Start sending campaigns strategically
    • Monitor performance metrics

    The warming schedule is built and both parties understand volume expands as benchmarks are met.

    Day 15 - 30

    Acquisition

    • Create and launch sign up form(s)
    • Create custom profile properties

    New subscribers are flowing into Klaviyo from the client's site. The path is live tested, and connected to the right list before the welcome series goes live.

    Day 15 - 90

    Automations

    • Create and launch 3 key lifecycle flows: welcome series, browse abandonment, and cart abandonment

    At minimum, 3 flows are live before graduation. Each launched in a sequence as the account was ready.

    Day 60+

    Graduation

    • Review account performance
    • Present opportunity for long-term support
    • Strategy and next steps

    Client graduates with a stable sending reputation, three live flows, and a roadmap. They're set up to grow, not dependent on you to stay stable.

    Being able to complete key tasks in the correct order is critical to ensuring a successful onboarding. Test yourself and see if you can determine the correct order of the steps below:
    Key task
    1
    4
    3
    2
    Correct order
    Import subscriber data
    Send to a small list of customers who've engaged with your client in the last 30 days
    Launch your welcome series flow
    Goal alignment

    Throughout this course, we'll reference various decks and templates within the plan. By the end, you'll have mastered all key elements of the project plan and be equipped to deliver impactful onboarding for your clients.

    Own the onboarding timeline