AI Site Viability Gate (Onboarding)

AI Site Viability Gate (Onboarding)

1. 01

   Define the client's budget band and revision ceiling before any platform selection

   Confirm the monthly retainer or project fee, then set a hard cap on included revision rounds. This determines whether an AI builder can deliver at the required margin.

2. 02

   Map the client's content governance needs to platform export and white-label options

   Check whether the platform allows full site export, custom domain, and removal of vendor branding. For clients with strict content ownership rules, export capability is non-negotiable.

3. 03

   Run a 3-site pilot across different builders to compare output quality and revision load

   Generate the same client brief in three tools, such as 10Web, Duda, and Dorik, and measure the number of manual edits needed to reach an acceptable standard. This exposes real labor costs beyond the subscription fee.

4. 04

   Evaluate accessibility and performance defaults against client expectations

   Test generated pages with a basic accessibility checker and a performance tool like Lighthouse. AI builders vary widely in output quality, and fixing issues post-generation can erase margin gains.

5. 05

   Calculate the fully loaded cost per delivered site, including platform fees, labor, and support

   Add the monthly platform cost, your team's hourly rate multiplied by actual hours spent, and an estimate of post-launch support. Compare this to the client's budget to confirm commercial viability.

6. 06

   Document the AI usage policy and verification steps for client-facing content

   Given the risk of fabricated sources in AI output, establish a mandatory fact-check pass for any client deliverable. This protects the agency's credibility and reduces legal exposure.

7. 07

   Secure client sign-off on the delivery scope, including AI-generated content and revision limits

   Present the pilot results and cost model to the client, and get written approval on the scope. This prevents scope creep and sets clear expectations for the delivery phase.