The Digital Campaign Checklist: What You Need Before You Launch
So, you’ve decided to run. You’ve filed the paperwork, told your family, and maybe even warned your boss. Now comes the moment that makes it "real" for the rest of the world: Launching your website.
In 2025, your campaign website is your headquarters. It’s the first place voters go to fact-check a rumour, the only place donors go to give money securely, and the 24/7 volunteer that never sleeps.
But you can’t just click "publish" on a blank page. To launch effectively—and avoid scrambling for passwords or high-res photos at 2 a.m.—you need to prep your assets first.
Whether you’re running for local counil or the senate, this digital checklist covers exactly what you need to gather before you build your site.
1. The "Non-Negotiable" Visuals
Voters judge your credibility in milliseconds. If your site looks like a DIY project from 2010, they will subconsciously assume your campaign is disorganized.
[ ] High-Resolution Headshot: No selfies and no cropped wedding photos. You need a professional, friendly, high-quality headshot where you are looking directly at the camera.
[ ] Campaign Logo (Transparent PNG): You need a version of your logo with a transparent background so it sits cleanly on top of coloured headers or photos.
[ ] Action Photos: "Talking head" photos are fine, but you also need 3-5 shots of you "doing the work"—talking to neighbours, sitting at a desk, or walking in your district.
[ ] Brand Colour Hex Codes: "Blue" isn't a colour. #0047AB is a colour. Know your exact Hex codes to ensure your website matches your yard signs.
2. The Core Copy (Text)
Writer’s block is the biggest delay in launching a website. Draft these three pieces of content in a Google Doc before you even open the website builder.
[ ] The "Why I’m Running" Bio (300 words): Keep it personal. Voters connect with stories, not resumes. Structure it simply: The Challenge (what's wrong), The Solution (what you'll do), and The Call to Action.
[ ] Top 3 Issues: You don't need a 50-page white paper yet. You just need 2-3 paragraphs on your top three priorities (e.g., Cost of Living, Education, Infrastructure).
[ ] The "Authorised By" Disclaimer: This is a legal requirement. Check your local election laws for the exact wording (e.g., "Authorised by Jane Doe").
Candidate Engine Feature: We have a dedicated, locked footer field for this exact purpose, so you never accidentally delete it while editing other pages.
3. The Technical Essentials
These are the plumbing fixtures of your campaign. You need them hooked up so data flows to the right place.
[ ] Domain Name: Ideally YourName.com. Keep it short and easy to spell.
[ ] Donation Processor Link: You need a way to accept money. Whether you use Raisley or a standard Stripe account, get your secure donation link ready to paste into your site’s "Donate" page.
[ ] Social Media Links: Have the URLs for your campaign (not personal) Facebook, X/Twitter, and Instagram pages ready.
[ ] Email Marketing Account: You need a place for signups to go. If you use Mailchimp you can easily integrate it with your Candidate Engine website.
Did you know? Candidate Engine integrates natively with Mailchimp, so new subscribers on your site automatically land in your "Voters" list.
4. The "Day One" Plan
A website launch is a marketing event. Don’t just let it sit there—announce it.
[ ] The "Soft Launch" List: Send the link to 10 close friends first. Ask them to test the site and check for typos on mobile phones.
[ ] The Announcement Email: Draft an email to your personal network announcing your run and linking to the new site.
[ ] The "404" Check: Click every single link in your menu to make sure it goes where it should.
Ready to Check These Boxes?
If you have your headshot, your bio, and your donation link, you’re already 90% there.
With Candidate Engine, you can take those assets and plug them into a professional, mobile-responsive template in minutes—not weeks. We handle the hosting, security, and mobile optimization so you can focus on meeting voters.