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Part 2 — Backend Configurations · DesmondGriffiths.com
DesmondGriffiths.com · Implementation Task List

Part 2 of 6 — Backend Configurations

Every Kajabi account setting, navigation item, payment configuration, scheduling connection, email/CRM setup, and integration — in the order they should be done.

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Step 1

Kajabi Account & Plan Setup

Do this first
Order matters. Complete account and plan verification before touching the Style Guide or building any pages. Everything downstream depends on having the right plan level active.
Plan & Account Verification
  • Verify Kajabi plan is Growth or Pro — Growth minimum for Header Page Scripts + Code Blocks site-wide; Pro required if modifying theme liquid files directlySettings → Billing → Subscription. Upgrade before proceeding if on Basic or Kickstarter.
    Critical
  • Create a duplicate / backup of the existing default theme before any customization beginsWebsite → Themes → three-dot menu → Duplicate. Name it "Backup – [date]". This is non-negotiable before editing any code.
    Critical
  • Update Settings → Site Details: Business name "Desmond Griffiths", description, contact email, San Diego CA address
    Config
  • Upload logo file (SVG preferred, or PNG @2x minimum) to Settings → Site Details → Logo
    Config
  • Upload favicon — 512×512px PNG to Settings → Site Details → Favicon
    Config
  • Set default OG/social sharing image — 1200×630px branded image (Des's portrait or logo lockup) to Settings → Site DetailsThis appears when any page without a specific OG image is shared on social media
    Config
  • Set timezone → America/Los_Angeles in Settings → Site Details
    Config
  • Set currency → USD in Settings → Payments
    Config
  • Enable Kajabi Pages / Encore builder if not already active — confirm which page builder engine is in useSettings → Features or check Website → Pages to see which editor opens
    Config
Step 2

Custom Domain Connection

After GoDaddy DNS is set (see Part 4)
Domain & SSL in Kajabi
  • Add custom domain desmondgriffiths.com in Settings → Website → Domains → Add DomainGoDaddy DNS must be propagated first — see Part 4. DNS propagation takes up to 48 hours.
    Config
  • Enable SSL certificate for custom domain — Settings → Domains → Enable SSL toggle
    Critical
  • Set canonical root domain — choose www.desmondgriffiths.com as primary, ensure non-www redirects to www (or vice versa — pick one and stick to it)Mixed www/non-www causes duplicate content SEO penalties
    Config
  • Verify HTTPS is live — visit https://www.desmondgriffiths.com and confirm the padlock icon appears in browser
    Critical
  • Optional: add desmondgriffiths.coach as secondary domain if hosting on same Kajabi account
    Config
Step 3

Style Guide — 9 Field Changes

Website → Themes → Customize → Style Guide
Do these before building any pages. Style Guide changes apply site-wide instantly. Getting them right first means every page you build inherits the correct system automatically.
Colors
  • Page Background → #FAF7F2 (warm parchment)
    Config
  • Primary Color → #B8945A (gold)
    Config
  • Heading Color → #0F0E0C (near-black ink)
    Config
  • Body Text Color → #5A5650 (warm body text)
    Config
Buttons
  • Button Style → Solid (from Outline)
    Config
  • Button Color → #B8945A (gold)
    Config
  • Button Border Radius → 0 (sharp corners — consistent with prototype system)
    Config
  • Button Text Color → #0F0E0C (dark ink on gold)
    Config
Typography
  • Heading Font Family → Cormorant GaramondIf not in Kajabi dropdown, it will be applied via CSS override in Header Page Scripts (Part 3). Do not skip — just note it and apply via code.
    Config
  • Heading Font Weight → Light (300)
    Config
  • Heading Line Height → 1.05
    Config
  • Body Font Family → JostSame note as above — if not in dropdown, applied via CSS override in Part 3.
    Config
  • Body Font Weight → Light (300)
    Config
  • Body Line Height → 1.8
    Config
  • Verify Style Guide changes are rendering on a test page — inspect H1 and body paragraph computed styles in browser developer tools
    Critical
Step 4

Navigation & Site Structure

Website → Navigation
Primary Navigation — Exact Link Order
  • Left group: Coach | Consult | IntegrateThese are the three service doorways — always left of center
    Config
  • Center: Desmond Griffiths wordmark / logo with "San Diego · California" sub-taglineUpload logo file. Sub-tagline via custom CSS if theme doesn't support sub-text natively.
    Config
  • Right group: About | Approach | Connect"Connect" is the primary CTA link — style with gold underline via custom CSS to distinguish it
    Config
  • Do NOT add Blog to navigation until Phase 2 when /blog has published content — currently 404
    Critical
  • Add FAQ to navigation in Phase 2 (between Approach and Connect)
    Config
  • Add Store as separate top-level nav link — currently buried in "More" dropdown, should be primary
    Config
Footer Navigation
  • Configure footer links: Privacy | Ethics | Terms | Connect
    Config
  • Add copyright line: © 2026 Desmond Griffiths. All Rights Reserved.
    Config
  • Configure mobile hamburger menu with same primary links. Verify touch targets are ≥44px.
    Config
Step 5

Payments & Store Offers

Settings → Payments → Products
Stripe Connection
  • Connect Stripe account in Settings → Payments → Connect StripeUse the same Stripe account that will receive live payments. Verify bank account is linked in Stripe dashboard before launch.
    Critical
  • Set Stripe to Test mode during build — switch to Live mode only when ready to accept real payments
    Config
Kajabi Offers — Three Packages
  • Create Offer: Life Pack — $395, one-time payment. Title, description, and price per store.html prototype.
    Config
  • Create Offer: Business Pack — $596, one-time payment.
    Config
  • Create Offer: Leader Pack — $797, one-time payment.
    Config
  • Configure post-purchase redirect for each offer → a "Thank you" page or the /contact page with a personal welcome note
    Config
  • Write and configure order confirmation email for each package — personalized, in Des's voice, not Kajabi default template
    Config
Coupon / Discount Code
  • Create coupon code: 2026ICGC50 in Products → Coupons
    Critical
  • Apply coupon to all three packages (Life Pack, Business Pack, Leader Pack)
    Config
  • Set coupon type (percentage or fixed amount), expiry date if applicableConfirm discount amount with Des before setting. The store page describes it as a "genuine thank you — not a marketing tactic."
    Config
  • Test coupon code applies correctly at checkout on all three packages in Stripe test mode
    Critical
Step 6

Discovery Call Scheduling

  • Create Calendly account (or use Kajabi native Coaching scheduling) — connect to Des's calendar
    Config
  • Set discovery call event type: 30 minutes, free, title "Discovery Conversation with Desmond Griffiths"
    Config
  • Set availability windows — Des's working hours and buffer times between calls
    Config
  • Configure confirmation email — include what to expect from the call, how to prepare, and a warm personal note from Des
    Config
  • Configure 24-hour reminder email for booked calls
    Config
  • Embed scheduling widget (or link) on /contact page — also connect all "Book a Discovery Call" CTAs site-wide to this link
    Critical
  • Test full booking flow: book a slot → receive confirmation email → verify it appears in Des's calendar
    Critical
Step 7

Email & CRM Configuration

Marketing → Email
Sender Identity
  • Set sender name: Desmond Griffiths and sender email: [email protected] (or [email protected]) in Marketing → Email SettingsDo NOT use Kajabi's default noreply address. Custom domain email requires Google Workspace or equivalent — see Part 4.
    Critical
  • Verify sender email domain in Kajabi — Kajabi will send a verification link to the email address you set
    Config
  • Set reply-to address: same as sender ([email protected])
    Config
Subscriber Lists
  • Create list: "Des's Community" — primary list for all subscribers
    Config
  • Create list: "Blog Notifications" — subscribers from blog subscribe form
    Config
  • Create list: "Launch Waitlist" — subscribers from Preview page notify form (archive post-launch)
    Config
Lead Tags
  • Create tags: Coach-Interest | Consult-Interest | Integrate-Interest | Concierge-Interest | Blog-Subscriber | Discovery-Call-Booked | Package-Purchased
    Config
  • Connect contact form service interest radio buttons → corresponding lead tags (Coach-Interest etc.)
    Config
Automations & Sequences
  • Create welcome automation: trigger = new subscriber joins "Des's Community" → send welcome email within 1 hourWelcome email copy: warm, personal, in Des's voice. "Welcome — I'm glad you're here." Not a Kajabi template. Write it fresh.
    Config
  • Create contact form auto-responder: trigger = form submission → immediate email: "Your message has been received with respect and care. I will respond personally within 2 business days."
    Config
  • Create purchase confirmation automation for each package: trigger = offer purchased → personalized thank you email + "here's what happens next" note
    Config
  • Create discovery call booked automation: trigger = Calendly booking → tag subscriber as Discovery-Call-Booked + send preparation emailCalendly webhook can connect to Kajabi via Zapier if direct integration not available
    Config
Step 8

Forms & Contact Configuration

  • Configure main contact form (on /contact page) to route to Des's email with subject: "New Message — DesmondGriffiths.com" + service interest label
    Config
  • Configure blog subscribe form to add subscriber to "Blog Notifications" list — no double opt-in penalty for UX
    Config
  • Configure Preview page notify form to add subscriber to "Launch Waitlist" list
    Config
  • Set up Concierge inquiry routing: form or link → /contact with subject "Concierge Inquiry" pre-filled
    Config
  • Test contact form end-to-end: submit → confirm email received by Des → confirm auto-responder sent to submitter
    Critical
  • Enable GDPR/consent checkbox on contact and subscribe forms (required for European visitors)
    Config
Step 9

Third-Party Account Setup

Create before building pages
  • Create / verify Google account dedicated to DesmondGriffiths.com (separate from personal Google account)This account will own Search Console, Analytics, Business Profile, and Workspace
    Config
  • Create Google Analytics 4 property at analytics.google.com → note Measurement ID (G-XXXXXXXXXX) for Part 3
    Config
  • Create Google Search Console property at search.google.com/search-console → note verification code (HTML meta tag method) for Part 3
    Config
  • Create Bing Webmaster Tools property at bing.com/webmasters → note verification code for Part 3
    Config
  • Create / connect Stripe account — verify bank account linked and payouts configured
    Critical
  • Create Calendly account (or activate Kajabi Coaching scheduling) and connect to Des's primary calendar
    Config
  • Set up Google Workspace (or equivalent) for [email protected] — required for branded email sender (see Part 4 for MX records)
    Config
  • Verify LinkedIn profile URL is active at linkedin.com/in/[handle] — update with same bio description as schema markup
    Config
Step 10

Backend Final Checks

  • Verify all transactional emails are sending FROM [email protected] — not a @kajabi.com or @mykajabi.com address
    Critical
  • Test complete purchase flow in Stripe Live mode with a real card (use $1 test charge if available) before announcing store is open
    Critical
  • Confirm Kajabi site is NOT password-protected / in preview mode before public launch
    Critical
  • Set up Kajabi pipeline (CRM kanban): Inquiry → Discovery Call Booked → Proposal Sent → Active Client → CompleteMarketing → Pipelines. Helps track every prospective client through the engagement funnel.
    Config
  • Set up 404 error page — Kajabi provides a default; customize it with the brand voice and a link back to /home and /contact
    Config