> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.usebuddy.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Onboarding Guide

> Complete walkthrough of setting up Buddy for your business

This guide walks you through the complete onboarding process to get Buddy configured for your business.

## Before You Begin

Have the following ready:

* Your company information (name, address, contact details)
* Access to your Shopify and/or QuickBooks accounts (if connecting)
* Customer and product data files (if importing from spreadsheets)

## Onboarding Steps

### 1. Account Creation

<Steps>
  <Step title="Sign Up">
    Visit [app.usebuddy.io](https://app.usebuddy.io) and create your account
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Email">
    Click the verification link sent to your email
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create Organization">
    Enter your company name to create your organization
  </Step>
</Steps>

### 2. Business Profile

Answer a few questions to help Buddy configure the best experience:

* **Business type**: Wholesale distributor, manufacturer, etc.
* **Industry**: Food & beverage, apparel, general merchandise, etc.
* **Volume**: Approximate number of customers and products
* **Current tools**: What systems you currently use

### 3. Connect Integrations

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Shopify" icon="shopify">
    Click **Connect Shopify** and authorize access in Shopify. Once connected:

    * Products sync automatically (including variants and images)
    * Customers sync with their addresses
    * Orders from Shopify appear in Buddy

    [Learn more about Shopify integration →](/integrations/shopify)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="QuickBooks" icon="calculator">
    Click **Connect QuickBooks** and authorize through Intuit. Once connected:

    * Customer accounts sync between systems
    * Invoices created in Buddy appear in QuickBooks
    * Payment status stays synchronized

    [Learn more about QuickBooks integration →](/integrations/quickbooks)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Slack" icon="slack">
    Click **Connect Slack** and select a channel. Once connected:

    * Receive notifications for new orders
    * Get alerts for items needing review
    * Stay updated without checking Buddy constantly

    [Learn more about Slack integration →](/integrations/slack)
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Note>
  You can skip integrations and connect them later from **Settings → Integrations**.
</Note>

### 4. Import Your Data

If you have existing data not in a connected system:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Prepare Your File">
    Export your data as CSV or Excel (.xlsx). Ensure headers are in the first row.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload">
    Go to **Customers** or **Products** and click **Import**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Map Columns">
    Match your spreadsheet columns to Buddy fields
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review & Import">
    Preview the data and click **Import** to complete
  </Step>
</Steps>

[Learn more about importing data →](/features/import-export)

### 5. Configure Pricing Tiers

If you offer different pricing to different customer groups:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create Tiers">
    Go to **Settings → Pricing Tiers** and create tiers (e.g., Wholesale, Distributor)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Discounts">
    Configure the default discount percentage for each tier
  </Step>

  <Step title="Assign Customers">
    Assign customers to appropriate tiers from their profile
  </Step>
</Steps>

[Learn more about pricing configuration →](/features/pricing)

### 6. Invite Your Team

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to Team Settings">
    Navigate to **Settings → Team**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Invite Members">
    Click **Invite Member** and enter their email
  </Step>

  <Step title="Assign Roles">
    Select their role: Admin, Editor, or Viewer
  </Step>
</Steps>

| Role       | Permissions                            |
| ---------- | -------------------------------------- |
| **Admin**  | Full access, manage settings and users |
| **Editor** | Create and edit records                |
| **Viewer** | Read-only access                       |

## You're Ready!

Your Buddy account is now set up. Here's what to explore next:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Process Orders" icon="file-invoice" href="/features/orders">
    Create orders manually or via email
  </Card>

  <Card title="Set Up Email Forwarding" icon="envelope" href="/integrations/email-forwarding">
    Automatically create orders from PO emails
  </Card>

  <Card title="Understand Data Reviews" icon="clipboard-check" href="/features/data-reviews">
    Learn how to handle items needing attention
  </Card>

  <Card title="Configure Warehouses" icon="warehouse" href="/features/warehouses">
    Set up multi-location fulfillment
  </Card>
</CardGroup>