Don’t Drop the Ball on Your Launch: My Dynasty Notes GTM Checklist (Plus Why Google Analytics 4 is Non-Negotiable)

A Simple GTM Checklist for 2026

Dynasty Notes is live. Stripe is configured. People can actually sign up and start using it. But here’s the thing, “live” doesn’t mean “done.” Not even close.

And being a one-man-band means it’s ridiculously easy to let things slip through the cracks.

I’ve been there before, but on the other side of the equation. Years ago, I was doing SaaS sales for an award-winning startup that was undergoing a major brand update. New website. New logo. Big launch energy. The whole nine yards.

Now, even though my role was in sales, I’ve always been interested in marketing. I had to be, my success was directly dependent on what the marketing team was doing. So naturally, I was paying attention to our GTM plan since we didn’t have a shared GTM checklist.

And I noticed something missing.

Where was the SEO strategy? Something so obvious and yet our company with a fully dedicated marketing team, and yet we overlooked configuring the new website for search optimization. Crazy stuff.

I brought it up to my manager. But as a foot soldier on the sales team, low on the totem pole, my question didn’t really get passed up the chain. Maybe it was dismissed. Maybe it got lost in the shuffle. Either way, nothing changed. Unfortunately, I feel as if this happened more frequently than it should have but it is what it is.

Then launch day came. New website went live. And guess what? The leads weren’t exactly running through the door like some people expected. Turns out, when the name of the game is SEO (which it absolutely was at that time), and you don’t have an SEO strategy… well, you’re starting with one hand tied behind your back.

That experience stuck with me. Teams were seemingly focused on winning but weren’t entirely aligned. It’s literally part of the reason I still enjoy doing SEO work to this day. So many others don’t prioritize it or straight-up ignore it, which means there’s opportunity for those of us who will get after it.

Fast forward to now: I’m launching my own app.

And I refuse to let that same oversight happen to Dynasty Notes.

The Solution? An Official GTM Checklist

Look, I know I’ve done most of the things I need to do. But I’ve also been jumping around a bit, building features here, fixing bugs there, setting up integrations, creating content. When you’re solo building, it’s easy to lose track of what’s actually been completed versus what’s still sitting on your mental to-do list.

That’s where my GTM checklist comes in.

This isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a “cover your ass and make sure you don’t sabotage your own launch” essential.

Starting with the Basics: Google Analytics 4

One of the first items I checked off? Google Analytics 4 is properly configured.

I’m not talking about tracking every individual event and micro-conversion yet (that’ll come). I’m talking about the base setup, making sure GA4 is actually installed, connected to my property, and collecting data. Because you know what’s worse than not having perfect analytics? Having no analytics at all.

Here’s what that baseline GA4 setup covers:

• Property created and connected to Dynasty Notes
• Tracking code properly installed across all pages
• Basic data streams configured
• Essential platform settings verified

Without this foundation, I’m flying blind. I need to know who’s visiting, where they’re coming from, how they’re using the app. The advanced event tracking can wait, but the baseline cannot.

What Else Is On My Basic GTM Checklist?

This checklist is specific to Dynasty Notes, but the framework applies to pretty much any SaaS, app, or digital product launch. Here’s what I’m covering:

Communication Channels

• Support email set up and monitored
• Contact forms tested and working

Website & Basic SEO Configuration

• Domain properly configured
• SSL certificate active
• Meta titles and descriptions in place

Security & Performance

• Authentication working properly
• Data encryption verified
• Load times acceptable
• Mobile responsiveness confirmed

Payment & Billing

• Stripe integration tested (live mode, not just test)
• Pricing plans properly displayed
• Invoice and receipt emails working
• Subscription management functional

Email Marketing

• Welcome sequence set up
• Transactional emails tested
• Email list connected and segmented

And yes, that Google Analytics 4 baseline configuration. Now this isn’t an extensive checklist since I didn’t include things such as Basic XML sitemap submitted and Google Search Console connected which I’ve done, so be sure to check back for an updated list in the near future.

Why This Matters (Especially as a Solo Builder)

When you’re part of a team, there’s usually someone whose job it is to make sure all these boxes get checked. But when you’re doing everything yourself? It’s shockingly easy to launch with gaps.

Maybe your payment system works but your receipts aren’t sending. Maybe your analytics are set up but your sitemap was never submitted. Maybe (like my old company) your entire website looks beautiful but nobody can actually find it because SEO wasn’t part of the plan.

Each one of these seems small. But collectively? They can be the difference between a launch that gains traction and one that quietly fizzles out.

Your Launch Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect… But It Can’t Have Major Gaps

I’ll be honest: I’m going to create a more complete and elaborate checklist as Dynasty Notes grows. This is just a starting point. But it’s a damn good starting point that covers the essentials, the stuff that’ll actually impact whether people can find, use, trust, and pay for what I’ve built.

Want to use this for your own launch? Feel free to download a copy of my basic GTM checklist and tweak it to align with your specific app or tool. It might just strengthen your chances of actually having a successful launch instead of wondering why things didn’t take off.

Need help successfully launching your product or brand? Schedule a 60-minute consultation and let’s talk.

As you can see with Dynasty Notes, from market and product research to building the app and website to everything in between, including the go-to-market strategy, I can be a valuable asset for launching your product or service. Because I’ve been on both sides: the sales guy who saw what was missing, and the builder who’s determined not to make the same mistakes.

Don’t drop the ball on your launch. Get your checklist. Check your boxes. And give yourself the best shot at success.