Job Board Launch Checklist

What is a job board launch checklist?

A job board launch checklist is a step-by-step guide that covers 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
• Define your ideal employer and job seeker

Set up your account

• Create your Cavuno account
• Create your board — AI will set up your theme, page content, and backfill rules automatically
• Register or connect your domain
• Review 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
• 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
• Write email templates

Week 3: Configuration

SEO setup

• Configure SEO settings for all page types
• Set up Google Search Console
• Connect Google Analytics
• Plan your initial content strategy

See SEO Settings for guidance.

Legal pages

• Write or adapt Terms of Service
• Write or adapt Privacy Policy
• Write or adapt Cookie Policy

See Legal Pages for templates.

Monetization (if applicable)

• Connect Stripe account
• Create pricing plans
• Set up any promotional codes

Week 4: Content and testing

Populate initial jobs

• Review AI-generated backfill rules
• Enable backfill for additional content if needed
• Post any manual job listings
• Add company profiles

Testing

• Test job posting flow
• Test application process
• Verify email notifications work
• Check mobile responsiveness
• Review all pages for errors

Launch day checklist

Technical

• Domain is connected and working
• SSL certificate is active (HTTPS)
• All pages load correctly
• Forms submit properly
• Emails are sending

Content

• Have at least 20-50 jobs listed
• Key pages are complete (About, Legal)
• No placeholder or Lorem ipsum text
• Images load correctly

Marketing

• Social media accounts are ready
• Launch announcement is prepared
• Initial outreach list is compiled
• Analytics tracking is confirmed

Post-launch priorities

First week

• Monitor for any technical issues
• Track initial visitor behavior
• Respond quickly to any inquiries
• Make quick fixes as needed

First month

• Begin employer outreach
• Publish regular content
• Engage on social media
• Collect early feedback

First 90 days

• Analyze what's working
• Adjust pricing if needed
• Build employer relationships
• Plan growth initiatives

Soft launch strategy

Consider a soft launch before full public launch:

Benefits of soft launch

• Test systems with real users
• Gather feedback before wide exposure
• Fix issues before high traffic
• Build initial content and testimonials

How to soft launch

1. Share with a small group (friends, industry contacts)
2. Invite early employers with free or discounted postings
3. Collect feedback and make improvements
4. Plan full launch once confident

When to go fully public

Move to full launch when:

• No major technical issues
• Initial jobs are posted
• Basic content is in place
• You're ready for increased traffic

Common launch mistakes

Launching too early

Without enough content, visitors bounce and don't 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. 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:

123456789101112131415161718192021
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]

Getting your first traffic

Immediately after launch:

1. Share on social media (personal and board accounts)
2. Email your network (personalized outreach)
3. Post in relevant communities (add value, don't spam)
4. Submit to directories (job board listings, niche directories)
5. Reach out to potential partners (associations, communities)

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