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Launch Checklist

Week-by-week checklist for launching your job board.

AJ
By Abi Tyas Tunggal and Jack Walsh

What is a job board launch checklist

A job board launch checklist is a step-by-step guide covering the tasks required to successfully launch a niche job board. It typically spans four weeks of preparation, launch day activities, and post-launch priorities for the first 90 days. This checklist walks you through each phase so you can launch with confidence and avoid common mistakes.

Pre-launch preparation

Week 1: Foundation

Define your board

Finalize your niche and positioning, choose your board name, write your value proposition, and define your ideal employer and job seeker.

Set up your account

Create your Cavuno account and board. The AI will set up your theme, page content, and backfill rules automatically. Register or connect your domain, then review the AI-generated settings and customize as needed.

Week 2: Branding and content

Branding

Design or commission a logo, review your AI-generated color scheme and customize if needed, fine-tune your board appearance in Cavuno, and create social media profiles. See Design System for detailed instructions.

Content

Write your About page content, create initial job categories, prepare any blog posts for launch, and write email templates.

Week 3: Configuration

SEO setup

Configure SEO settings for all page types, set up Google Search Console, connect Google Analytics, and plan your initial content strategy. See SEO Settings for guidance.

Write or adapt Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy. See Legal Pages for templates.

Monetization (if applicable)

Connect your Stripe account, create pricing plans, and set up any promotional codes.

Week 4: Content and testing

Populate initial jobs

Review your AI-generated backfill rules, enable backfill for additional content if needed, post any manual job listings, and add company profiles.

Testing

Test the job posting flow, test the application process, verify that email notifications work, check mobile responsiveness, and review all pages for errors.

Launch day checklist

Technical

Verify that your domain is connected and working, SSL certificate is active with HTTPS, all pages load correctly, forms submit properly, and emails are sending.

Content

Ensure you have at least 20-50 jobs listed, key pages are complete with About and Legal information, there is no placeholder or Lorem ipsum text, and images load correctly.

Marketing

Confirm that social media accounts are ready, launch announcement is prepared, initial outreach list is compiled, and analytics tracking is confirmed.

Post-launch priorities

First week

Monitor for any technical issues, track initial visitor behavior, respond quickly to any inquiries, and make quick fixes as needed.

First month

Begin employer outreach, publish regular content, engage on social media, and collect early feedback.

First 90 days

Analyze what is working, adjust pricing if needed, build employer relationships, and plan growth initiatives.

Soft launch strategy

Consider a soft launch before full public launch. The benefits of a soft launch include testing systems with real users, gathering feedback before wide exposure, fixing issues before high traffic arrives, and building initial content and testimonials. To soft launch, share your board with a small group of friends and industry contacts. Invite early employers with free or discounted postings, collect their feedback, and make improvements. Plan your full launch once you are confident in the board.

Move to full launch when you have no major technical issues, initial jobs are posted, basic content is in place, and you are ready for increased traffic.

Common launch mistakes

Launching too early

Without enough content, visitors bounce and do not return. Aim for at least 20 jobs before launch.

Launching too late

Perfectionism delays learning. Launch when "good enough" and improve based on real feedback.

Ignoring SEO from day one

SEO takes time to show results. Set it up properly from launch to start building authority early.

No follow-up plan

Launch day is just the beginning. Have a 30-60-90 day plan for what comes next.

Launch announcement template

Share your launch with this structure:

text
Subject: Introducing [Board Name] - [Your Niche] Jobs


We're excited to launch [Board Name], the job board dedicated to [your niche].


Why we built this:
[Brief story or motivation]


What makes us different:
- [Key differentiator 1]
- [Key differentiator 2]
- [Key differentiator 3]


For job seekers:
[What they'll find]


For employers:
[Why they should post]


Visit us at [yourboard.com]


[Your name]

Get your first traffic

Immediately after launch, share your board on social media using both personal and board accounts. Email your network with personalized outreach about your launch. Post in relevant communities where you can add value and do not spam. Submit to directories including job board listings and niche directories. Reach out to potential partners such as associations and communities.

The launch is just the beginning. Consistent effort in the weeks following determines success.

Frequently asked questions