The launch checklist

Some launch mistakes are recoverable (a typo in step three). Some aren't (2,000 sends to an unvalidated list from a cold domain). This checklist covers both kinds. Items marked enforced are blocked by the app; the rest are on you.

Infrastructure

• Domain shows Verified with all three DNS records passing. (enforced — unverified domains can't join a pool)
• Every mailbox in the pool has delivered a Send test email to you. Test connection alone only checks the login.
• Warmup status on pool mailboxes is past the gate — check the ramp stage on the Mailboxes page. (enforced — cold mailboxes are skipped, which silently shrinks your throughput if you ignore it)
• Daily limits across the pool actually add up to the throughput you expect — the Review screen shows the projected timeline.

Audience

• List was validated at import, and you're not including risky addresses unless you chose that deliberately. (enforced by default)
• Suppression list is seeded with customers, open deals, and historical unsubscribes — check the count under Contacts → Suppressions isn't zero.
• Audience exclusions on the Review screen look right: the "in another active campaign" number should not surprise you.

Content

• Preview each step against three real contacts, not the sample contact. A tag with no value for that contact renders blank — check the copy still reads naturally when it does.
• Stop-on-reply is on. (default)
• The unsubscribe link is on. (one-click headers ship on every send regardless)
• One ask, consistent across steps; step delays are what you intended (business days).
• Links are minimal, unshortened, and point at your real domain — URL shorteners are a spam heuristic.

After launch: the first 48 hours

Check Analytics after the first day's sends, not after the first hour. Bounce rate above 2% on day one: pause and re-validate — something in the list is worse than the import suggested. Replies flowing: answer them from the Inbox tab same-day; reply speed is the highest-leverage variable you control after launch.