Prototype launch checklist: 35 milestones to go from .vercel.app to a real product
You have a working version. It runs. It does the thing. But it is still on a .vercel.app URL and nobody outside your circle has seen it.
The jump from .vercel.app to custom domain is more psychological than technical. It signals commitment. A $12/year domain tells the world (and yourself) that this is real.
At this stage, the most important metric is not features shipped but sessions observed. You need to watch real people use your product. Screen recordings, live calls, anything. The insights from watching 3 users struggle through your onboarding are worth more than 3 months of feature work.
Vibe coders uniquely struggle here: Cursor makes it trivially easy to add features, which feels like progress. Watching someone struggle through your onboarding feels painful. Do the painful thing.
This checklist focuses on the essentials: get a domain, install analytics, put the product in front of 10+ real users, and observe what happens. Everything else is a distraction.
The key question at this stage: “Can someone use this alone, without your help?”
Common trap: The infinite build trap: adding features instead of getting the product in front of real users. The prototype is never "ready". Ship it.
The checklist: 35 milestones
Product6 milestones
- Working product accessible via a URLCritical
- Main flow usable end-to-end without assistance
- User onboarding present (even basic)
- Main edge cases handled (errors, empty states)
- UX tested: a user can understand alone what the product does
- Feedback loop integrated (feedback button, chat, email)
Product6
- Working product accessible via a URLCritical
- Main flow usable end-to-end without assistance
- User onboarding present (even basic)
- Main edge cases handled (errors, empty states)
- UX tested: a user can understand alone what the product does
- Feedback loop integrated (feedback button, chat, email)
Tech6 milestones
- Stable hosting (no frequent crashes)
- Custom domain (no .vercel.app / .lovable.dev)Critical
- HTTPS active
- Acceptable performance (< 3s load time)
- Mobile responsive (or conscious decision not to be)
- Basic error handling (no white page)
Tech6
- Stable hosting (no frequent crashes)
- Custom domain (no .vercel.app / .lovable.dev)Critical
- HTTPS active
- Acceptable performance (< 3s load time)
- Mobile responsive (or conscious decision not to be)
- Basic error handling (no white page)
Marketing & Distribution5 milestones
- Landing page with clear CTA (sign up / try / waitlist)Critical
- At least 1 distribution channel actively tested
- Launch content prepared (posts, thread, demo video)
- Social presence created (at least 1 dedicated profile)
- Basic SEO (title, meta description, OG tags)
Marketing & Distribution5
- Landing page with clear CTA (sign up / try / waitlist)Critical
- At least 1 distribution channel actively tested
- Launch content prepared (posts, thread, demo video)
- Social presence created (at least 1 dedicated profile)
- Basic SEO (title, meta description, OG tags)
Users & Validation5 milestones
- 10+ people have used the prototypeCritical
- At least 3 user sessions observed (screen recording or call)
- Main flow completion rate measured
- Top 3 frictions identified
- At least 1 user came back spontaneously (retention signal)
Users & Validation5
- 10+ people have used the prototypeCritical
- At least 3 user sessions observed (screen recording or call)
- Main flow completion rate measured
- Top 3 frictions identified
- At least 1 user came back spontaneously (retention signal)
Business & Revenue4 milestones
- Deep competitive analysis (clear differentiators vs 5+ competitors)
- Pricing tested with prospects (even informally)
- Business model documented (how do you make money)
- CAC estimated (even roughly)
Business & Revenue4
- Deep competitive analysis (clear differentiators vs 5+ competitors)
- Pricing tested with prospects (even informally)
- Business model documented (how do you make money)
- CAC estimated (even roughly)
Legal & Admin3 milestones
- Legal notice present on the site
- Privacy policy published
- Legal structure being considered (SAS, micro, LLC, etc.)
Legal & Admin3
- Legal notice present on the site
- Privacy policy published
- Legal structure being considered (SAS, micro, LLC, etc.)
Data & Analytics3 milestones
- Analytics installed (PostHog, GA, Plausible...)Critical
- Key events tracked (sign up, activation, feature usage)
- Activation funnel defined and measured
Data & Analytics3
- Analytics installed (PostHog, GA, Plausible...)Critical
- Key events tracked (sign up, activation, feature usage)
- Activation funnel defined and measured
Founder Mindset3 milestones
- Has stopped building to observe users
- Accepts to show an imperfect product
- Clear priority: acquisition > new features
Founder Mindset3
- Has stopped building to observe users
- Accepts to show an imperfect product
- Clear priority: acquisition > new features
Category distribution
Think you’ve nailed Stage 3?
Most founders overestimate their prototype readiness. Banast analyzes your project across all 7 stages and flags exactly what is missing.
Frequently asked questions
When should I buy a custom domain for my startup?
Now. If you are still on .vercel.app or .lovable.dev, you are signaling that this is a side project, not a product. Domains cost $12/year. Your credibility costs more.
How many users should test my prototype?
At least 10 real users. Observe at least 3 of them using the product (screen recording or live call). The goal is to identify the top 3 friction points.
Should I add more features before launching?
Almost certainly not. If your core flow works end-to-end, ship it. Every feature you add before launch is a hypothesis you have not tested.
Where does your project really stand?
Paste your URL. Answer 5 questions. Get a scored audit across all 7 stages in under 3 minutes. Free.