How to sign off a website project properly: a free checklist

A messy sign-off leaves a messy memory — and it’s one of the easiest things to fix with the right checklist in place.Welcome to another episode of Websites Made Simple with me, Holly Christie.Check out: https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/sparks-group-mentoring/ It’s a supportive group mentoring session for website designers and developers to bring their questions, roadblocks, ideas, and “is it just me?” moments.In this episode, I’m walking you through my full website sign-off process — the checklist I use every single time to make sure projects end cleanly, clients are set up properly, and I can actually close the project and move on.We get into:Holly’s website “pack-down” checklist and why you need oneCookie notices, GDPR, and what to check before you go liveWhy you should run a Page Speed Insights report and screenshot it every timeSetting up admin accounts (the step Holly has forgotten more than once)Website manuals: why every client should get one and how to create themHooking up analytics, pixels, and code tracking before handoverHow to test on incognito browser and mobile before you call it doneGetting written sign-off from your client — and the wording that mattersMigration, SSL certificates, and enforcing HTTPS after moving a siteContact form testing, SMTP, and GDPR-compliant database savingHow to organise client training and what Holly’s personalised video manuals look likeSetting up client logins and making sure they know how to run WordPress updatesAsking for reviews at exactly the right momentWhat is and is not your responsibility once a project is signed offIf you want every project to end with a clean, confident handover — this one will help you build that process.Grab Holly’s sign-off checklist at https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk/sign-off-checklistCome and find out more at https://websitesmadesimple.co.uk or email me at [email protected] here’s the link if you want to learn more about Neal and Podknows: https://podknows.co.uk/Skip to the good bits:00:00 The sign-off feeling and making sure clients come back for the right reasons01:46 Build your website pack-down checklist02:50 Cookie notices and GDPR compliance03:53 Run a PageSpeed Insights report and save the results06:20 Create an admin account for the client06:55 Website manuals and why every client needs one07:37 Hooking up code tracking before handover08:48 Testing on incognito browser and mobile view10:27 Getting written sign-off from your client11:10 Tying sign-off to payment11:35 Migration, SSL certificates and enforcing HTTPS14:21 Contact forms, testing and GDPR compliance15:39 Organising client training16:17 Holly’s personalised video walkthrough manuals17:12 Getting the client logged in17:58 WordPress updates and making sure clients know how18:40 Ask for a review at the right moment19:09 Your responsibilities after sign-off