Agency client onboarding checklist
This agency client onboarding checklist covers the files a marketing or creative agency needs before work starts: signed contract and NDA, completed brief, brand guidelines, logo files, photos, existing website copy, past performance reports and asset licenses. DocAsker sends the whole list as one link and checks each upload for quality, document type, dates, signatures and missing pages.
Files and documents to request from a new agency client
Marketing, design and creative agencies use this checklist when a new client signs, before the kickoff meeting.
- 01
Signed contract or statement of work
The contract sets the scope, deliverables, timeline and payment terms. Ask the client to sign and return every page of the version you sent.
Format: Signed PDF or a photo of each signed page
DocAsker checks: DocAsker checks that the signature fields are filled in and that every page is included.
- 02
Signed non-disclosure agreement
An NDA covers the plans, data and unreleased products the client will share with your team. Ask for the signed agreement before they send anything confidential.
Format: Signed PDF
DocAsker checks: DocAsker checks that the signature fields on the agreement are filled in.
- 03
Completed onboarding questionnaire or brief
The brief records goals, audience, competitors and approval contacts in the client's own words. Send your questionnaire as a Word file and ask the client to fill in every section.
Format: Word or PDF
DocAsker checks: DocAsker checks that the file is the completed questionnaire and not a blank copy or a different document.
- 04
Brand guidelines
Brand guidelines set the rules for logo use, colors, fonts and tone of voice. Ask for the most recent full document, not a one-page summary.
Format: PDF
DocAsker checks: DocAsker checks that the file is a brand guidelines document and that every page is included.
- 05
High-resolution logo files
You need clean logo files for every layout and background. Ask for the primary logo and any alternate versions as PNG files with a transparent background, or as a PDF from the designer.
Format: PNG or PDF
DocAsker checks: DocAsker checks that each file is sharp and not cropped at the edges.
- 06
Product photos and team headshots
Existing photos save a shoot and keep the new work consistent. Ask for original files at full size, not images copied from the website or social media.
Format: JPG, PNG or HEIC
DocAsker checks: DocAsker checks that each photo is sharp, free of glare and not cropped.
- 07
Current website copy
Existing copy shows the messaging the client already uses and what must stay. Ask for the latest text for each key page in Word files.
Format: Word
DocAsker checks: DocAsker checks that the file is a text document with the copy you asked for.
- 08
Marketing performance reports for the last 6 months
Past reports give you a baseline to measure your work against. Ask for exports from the client's analytics, ads or email platform covering the last 6 months.
Format: Excel or PDF export
DocAsker checks: DocAsker checks that each report covers the 6 months you requested.
- 09
Licenses for stock images and fonts
Licenses confirm you can reuse the client's existing images and fonts in new work. Ask for the license certificate or receipt for each paid asset.
Format: PDF
DocAsker checks: DocAsker checks that each file is a license document and not an invoice for something else.
- 10
Billing details and purchase order
Many clients cannot pay an invoice without a purchase order number and the right billing contact. Ask for the purchase order and the company's billing details form.
Format: PDF
DocAsker checks: DocAsker checks that the file is a purchase order and that its date falls within the contract period you set.
This checklist is a starting point. Requirements vary by country, authority and case, so confirm the current list before you send it.
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- Signed PDF or a photo of each signed page
- Signed PDF
- Word or PDF
- PDF
- PNG or PDF
- JPG, PNG or HEIC
- Word
- Excel or PDF export
- PDF
- PDF
Subject: Required documents for Agency client onboarding checklist — [Your Firm Name] Hi [Client Name], To complete your onboarding without back-and-forth emails, please prepare and upload the following 10 documents: 1. Signed contract or statement of work (Signed PDF or a photo of each signed page) • Check: DocAsker checks that the signature fields are filled in and that every page is included. 2. Signed non-disclosure agreement (Signed PDF) • Check: DocAsker checks that the signature fields on the agreement are filled in. 3. Completed onboarding questionnaire or brief (Word or PDF) • Check: DocAsker checks that the file is the completed questionnaire and not a blank copy or a different document. 4. Brand guidelines (PDF) • Check: DocAsker checks that the file is a brand guidelines document and that every page is included. 5. High-resolution logo files (PNG or PDF) • Check: DocAsker checks that each file is sharp and not cropped at the edges. 6. Product photos and team headshots (JPG, PNG or HEIC) • Check: DocAsker checks that each photo is sharp, free of glare and not cropped. 7. Current website copy (Word) • Check: DocAsker checks that the file is a text document with the copy you asked for. 8. Marketing performance reports for the last 6 months (Excel or PDF export) • Check: DocAsker checks that each report covers the 6 months you requested. 9. Licenses for stock images and fonts (PDF) • Check: DocAsker checks that each file is a license document and not an invoice for something else. 10. Billing details and purchase order (PDF) • Check: DocAsker checks that the file is a purchase order and that its date falls within the contract period you set. Upload portal & interactive checklist: https://docasker.com/en/templates/agency-client-onboarding-checklist Best regards, [Your Firm Name]
Tips for onboarding agency clients
Do not collect passwords through a document request
Ask for account access through a password manager or by having the client invite your team to each platform. A document link is the right place for files, not login details.
Say exactly which logo files you need
Clients often send a small logo saved from their website. Name the formats and versions you need in the item instruction, and add an example of a good file so the client knows what to look for.
Collect everything before kickoff
Send the onboarding link the day the contract is signed. Set reminders so the files arrive before the kickoff meeting, and use the meeting for decisions instead of chasing assets.
File assets where your team already works
On Pro and Firm, accepted files can go straight to Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive, renamed to a consistent pattern. Designers find the logo and brand guidelines in the client folder without asking.
Email template to request onboarding files from a new client
Files we need before our kickoff, [Client name]
Hi [Client name], We are looking forward to working with you. To prepare for our kickoff on [date], we need a few files from your team, including the signed contract, your brand guidelines, logo files and recent marketing reports. Please upload them through this secure link: [link] No account or password is needed. The link works on any phone or computer, and anyone on your team can use it. If a file is blurry or is not what we asked for, you will see why and can upload a new one straight away. You can come back to the link as many times as you need. It would help us most to have everything by [date]. Thanks, [Your name] [Agency name]
Frequently asked questions
What should be included in an agency client onboarding checklist?
A signed contract and NDA, a completed brief, brand guidelines, logo files, existing photos and copy, recent performance reports and any asset licenses. Add billing details or a purchase order if the client needs one to pay invoices. Adjust the list to the services you provide.
What should a client sign before an agency starts work?
At least a contract or statement of work that sets out scope, deliverables and payment terms. Many agencies also ask for a non-disclosure agreement before the client shares confidential plans. DocAsker checks that each signature field is filled in when the file is uploaded.
How do I get usable logo files from a client?
Ask for specific formats in the request, such as a PNG with a transparent background or a PDF from the original designer. Add an example of a good file to the checklist item. DocAsker flags blurry or cropped images so the client can send a better file straight away.
Should an agency collect client passwords during onboarding?
No, not through a document request. Ask the client to invite your team to each platform or share access through a password manager. Use the onboarding link for files and documents.
Do clients need an account to send files?
No. The DocAsker link opens on any phone or computer without an account, password or app. Clients can upload files or take photos and return to the same link later to finish.
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Send this checklist with DocAsker
DocAsker sends this checklist as one link, checks every upload on arrival and reminds your client until it is complete.