Launching a new website is exciting; what comes after is what determines whether it generates revenue. This is the 90-day digital marketing checklist we walk every new client through — the foundations that, if skipped, cost you 3-6 months of compounded growth.
Days 1-7 — Technical foundations (one-time)
- Install Google Analytics 4 — measure baseline traffic before any campaigns
- Install Meta Pixel + Google Tag Manager — enables future paid retargeting
- Set up Google Search Console — verify site, submit XML sitemap
- Set up Bing Webmaster Tools — small traffic share but free signal
- Install Microsoft Clarity — heatmaps + session replays (free)
- Test Core Web Vitals — Lighthouse mobile score 90+
- Set up 301 redirects if migrating from an old site (preserves SEO equity)
- Configure SSL + force HTTPS — non-negotiable in 2026
- Test mobile experience on 3 real devices (iPhone, Android, tablet)
Days 8-14 — SEO foundations
- Keyword research: 30-50 primary + secondary keywords mapped to specific pages
- On-page optimization: unique title tag + meta description per page
- Schema markup: Organization, LocalBusiness (if local), Service, BreadcrumbList, FAQPage where relevant
- Image alt text: descriptive, keyword-aware for every image
- Internal linking: at least 3-5 contextual internal links per page
- XML sitemap: auto-generated, submitted to Search Console
- Robots.txt: clean, with sitemap reference
Days 15-30 — Local SEO (if applicable)
- Google Business Profile: claim, verify, fully populate (see our local SEO blog)
- Bing Places: claim + verify
- Apple Maps Connect: claim listing
- Top 10 citations: NAP-consistent across the major directories
- First 5-10 Google reviews: reach out to past customers
Days 30-45 — Content engine kickoff
- Launch a blog with 3-5 cornerstone articles (1,500-2,500 words each)
- Service-page content review: each service has 600+ words with FAQ section
- Add real testimonials with photos + full names + companies
- Case study creation: 1-2 detailed case studies
- About page: team photos + bios with Person schema
Days 30-60 — Paid ads launch
- Define one clear conversion goal (form fill, purchase, demo booked)
- Build 2-3 dedicated landing pages for ad campaigns
- Launch Google Search Ads on 5-10 high-intent keywords (start small)
- Launch Meta Ads (if relevant to your business)
- Set up conversion tracking in both platforms with Conversions API for Meta
- Monitor weekly — kill underperformers fast
Days 45-75 — Email + retention loops
- Set up email service: Mailchimp, Brevo, Klaviyo (for e-commerce)
- Welcome series: 4-7 emails over 14 days for new subscribers
- Newsletter cadence: weekly or bi-weekly content schedule
- Abandoned cart flow (for e-commerce)
- Post-purchase follow-up (review request, cross-sell)
- Lead magnet creation: ebook, checklist, or template to grow email list
Days 60-90 — Measurement + iteration
- First monthly performance review: what's working, what to kill, what to scale
- Identify top 3 traffic sources and double down
- Identify top 3 conversion paths and optimize
- Run first A/B test on highest-traffic landing page
- Refresh content based on what's ranking and what's converting
- Plan Q2 (next 90 days) based on real data, not assumptions
What most new websites skip (and pay for later)
- Skipping Search Console setup — you find out about issues 6 months later
- Skipping schema markup — leaves rich-result CTR on the table
- Skipping email capture from day 1 — losing potential audience daily
- Skipping speed optimization — every 100ms costs ~1% of conversion
- Skipping mobile testing — 70%+ of your traffic is mobile
- Skipping case studies — buyers need proof before they buy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does this 90-day setup cost?
DIY: USD 500-1,500 in tool costs. Agency-run (full execution): USD 3,000-15,000 depending on scope. Apex Marketings typically runs new-site clients through this for USD 4,000-8,000 over 90 days, then transitions to a monthly retainer.
Can I skip paid ads in the first 90 days?
Yes if you have 6+ months of runway and trust SEO to compound. Most growing businesses need paid ads for cash flow during the SEO ramp-up period.
What if my website is brand new with zero traffic?
Expect 4-6 months before SEO produces meaningful organic traffic. Paid ads can produce traffic immediately. Plan budgets accordingly.
What's the single most important item on this list?
Setting up GA4 + Search Console + Meta Pixel from day one. If you don't have measurement infrastructure, you can't optimize what you can't measure.
Ready to talk? Book a free 30-minute consultation with Apex Marketings, or request a project quote.