Pre-launch checklist

Run one launch checklist across domains, DNS, inboxes, and gates before prospect traffic.

First prospect traffic should follow an ordered checklist: domain basics, authentication records, inbox readiness evidence, seed placement, and an explicit launch-gate decision.

Start with domain fundamentals

Very new domains carry more risk than aged ones, so the checklist starts before DNS. GTM's readiness model reads registration data to flag young domains, and imported domains without registration records are backfilled from public registry data rather than assumed safe.

  • Confirm each domain's age against the workspace's risk assumptions.
  • Check registrar lock, nameserver, and WHOIS consistency for imported domains.
  • Treat missing registration data as a review item, not a pass.

Move from DNS to inbox evidence

Once MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records resolve correctly, the checklist shifts from domain posture to per-inbox evidence: lifecycle status, managed MTA assignment, SMTP and IMAP connection metadata, credential metadata, and recent smoke-test results.

  • Run the DNS checker on every sending domain in the batch.
  • Review the workspace readiness report for per-inbox blockers.
  • Fix blocked rows before scheduling any seed tests.

Finish with the launch gate

The final checklist item is a gate, not a vibe. First prospect traffic should hard-stop until fresh seed-placement evidence meets the configured threshold and an operator records an explicit go decision. Connectivity smoke tests never substitute for placement evidence.

Common questions

Can I skip checklist steps for domains that sent cold email before?

No. Prior use is not current evidence. Re-verify DNS, readiness, and seed placement for every batch, because records drift and mailbox credentials change.

Does completing the checklist guarantee inbox placement?

No. The checklist reduces avoidable failures and produces launch-gate evidence. Placement still depends on reputation, targeting, content, and receiver behavior over time.

Related workflows

Check inbox readiness

Run an advisory readiness review on a domain before the full checklist.

Check domain posture

Inspect DNS records and domain age for a sending domain in one pass.

DNS and auth checker

Run a practical check from the guide before approving the next step.

What a launch gate is

The evidence GTM requires before first prospect traffic.

Next step

Use the API workflow to run readiness reports and launch gates programmatically.

Automate the checklist