The client portal checklist
Denby, https://denby.app/guides/client-portal-checklist
Updated 25 September 2026

Test each item during a free trial, as a client, on your own phone.


Client sign-in and experience

[ ] 1. Can a client sign in without creating a password?
[ ] 2. How long does it take from invitation email to uploading a file?
[ ] 3. Does the client see only what they need to act on?
[ ] 4. Does it work well in a phone browser?
[ ] 5. Can several people at the same client use it?

Collecting documents

[ ] 6. Can you send a checklist of documents, with one upload per item?
[ ] 7. Are reminders automatic, and do they stop when everything's in?
[ ] 8. Can you reject one item and ask again, with a note?
[ ] 9. Can you save your checklists as templates?
[ ] 10. Can you see what's outstanding across every client at once?

Files, messages and approvals

[ ] 11. What's the largest file you can upload, and does a big upload survive a flaky connection?
[ ] 12. Are file versions kept together?
[ ] 13. Can you keep some files internal?
[ ] 14. Are messages kept per client, with files attached?
[ ] 15. Can clients approve something in writing, with a record?

Security

[ ] 16. Are files encrypted in transit and at rest?
[ ] 17. Is each client's data separated, and how?
[ ] 18. Is there an audit log of views, downloads and changes?
[ ] 19. Does the vendor say plainly what they don't have?

Branding, pricing and leaving

[ ] 20. Can clients see your firm's name, logo and colours, not the vendor's?
[ ] 21. Can you use your own domain?
[ ] 22. How does the price change when you grow?
[ ] 23. Can you export everything, whenever you like?
[ ] 24. What happens if you stop paying?

Score each tool out of 24. Weight the first two sections double.