Launch-week checklist for a small business.

Monday: Test checkout, booking, and phone systems.

Before telling the world you are open, place real test transactions to make sure your payments, confirmation emails, and customer phone lines work without friction.

1. Place a live one-dollar card transaction. Use your own credit card to buy a real item or book an appointment on your live website. Confirm the charge settles in your merchant dashboard and that the customer receipt arrives in your inbox. [screenshot: Merchant dashboard showing settled live test transaction and delivered email receipt]
2. Submit your website contact form. Enter a secondary personal email address on your contact page or signup form. Make sure the automated welcome email delivers within sixty seconds.
3. Call your business phone number from a mobile phone. Listen to your greeting, leave a short voice message, and verify that your voicemail transcript or receptionist alert arrives on your phone immediately.
4. Walk through the site on a smartphone. Test your entire booking or checkout path on an iPhone and an Android screen. Check that buttons are easy to tap and forms do not zoom unexpectedly.
5. Stage packaging, shipping boxes, or job tools. Lay out your first week of shipping boxes, packing tape, receipt pads, or service gear so you never scramble when the first five orders land.

Tuesday: Notify your VIP list and early supporters.

Give your early believers first access. They give you friendly feedback and place your first real orders before the general public arrives.

1. Send an early-access email to your waitlist. Send a short, warm email to the subscribers who joined before launch. Let them know doors are open twenty-four hours early as a thank-you for signing up first. [screenshot: Hollerpost campaign editor with VIP preview email ready to send]
2. Text close friends, family, and past clients. Send a few direct personal text messages letting your inner circle know you are open for business. Ask them to share your link with one neighbor or colleague.
3. Watch your inbox and payment stream. Keep your phone nearby to answer early customer questions quickly. If someone gets stuck during booking, help them immediately.
4. Correct any minor snags right away. If an early buyer mentions a confusing form field or an unclear shipping fee, adjust your website copy or settings on Tuesday afternoon.
5. Send a personal thank-you to your first customers. Send a brief, handwritten email to your first ten customers. A genuine personal thank-you turns early buyers into lifelong advocates.

Wednesday: Go public with your announcement.

Wednesday morning is the ideal time to announce your business to your entire list and social channels.

1. Send your public launch email broadcast. Send your primary announcement to your full subscriber list. Keep your subject line clear and focused on what you offer and how they can order today.
2. Update your social media bios with your live link. Put your main store or booking URL in your Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn bios. Remove any old "coming soon" placeholders.
3. Publish your launch post and pin it. Share your founder story and photos of your products or workspace. Pin the post to the top of your social profiles so new visitors see it first.
4. Update your Google Business Profile. Add an "Update" post on your Google profile announcing that doors are officially open, and double-check your published hours and phone number.
5. Display physical signs or storefront chalkboards. If you run a local brick-and-mortar shop or studio, set out your sidewalk sign and window hours to welcome foot traffic.

Thursday and Friday: Fulfill orders and review momentum.

Spend the second half of launch week delivering excellent service and replying to every inquiry.

1. Fulfill and pack your first orders promptly. Ship products out the same day or prepare your client notes for upcoming consultations. Include a handwritten thank-you card in every package.
2. Reply to every comment, text, and direct message. Do not leave prospective buyers waiting. Fast, helpful answers during launch week build your reputation immediately.
3. Share behind-the-scenes moments on social media. Post a quick photo or video of packages stacked for pickup or your team at work. Customers love seeing real small businesses in action.
4. Follow up on unanswered inquiries before the weekend. Check your business voicemail inbox, missed calls, and contact form submissions so every lead has a clear next step by Friday afternoon.
5. Review your numbers and celebrate your milestone. Sit down Friday evening to review your first week of orders, revenue, and subscriber growth. Take time to celebrate with family or friends.

Did this help you finish? Tell me in 10 seconds.