> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.cloudbridal.com/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# Getting Started Checklist

This streamlined checklist outlines the essential steps to set up CloudBridal for your bridal or formal wear business. Focus on these key configuration tasks to get your system up and running quickly.

The same steps are in CloudBridal itself: open **Settings**, and the **Overview** page shows which ones your shop has done, with a link to each. New shops also see a setup card on Home, for people who can manage settings, until the essentials are done.

## Initial Setup

### 1. Set Up Your Business Profile

- In [Settings › General](https://go.cloudbridal.com/settings/general), enter your shop name, address and contact details
- In [Settings › Branding](https://go.cloudbridal.com/settings/branding), upload your logo (used on receipts, the client portal and more)
- If desired, set up an email signature in [Settings › Communications](https://go.cloudbridal.com/settings/emails). It's included with your emails to customers.
- Optionally choose how CloudBridal looks for your team under **The app for your team** in [Settings › Branding](https://go.cloudbridal.com/settings/branding): a theme and a font. Staff can pick their own theme in their profile, and customer-facing pages aren't affected.

### 2. Key Configurations

These configurations feed into the overall system so it's important to do them first.

- Set up the customer types you serve in [Settings › Customers](https://go.cloudbridal.com/settings/customers), under **Customer types**. CloudBridal includes some default types, but you can deactivate them as needed.
- Set up your item types in [Settings › Items](https://go.cloudbridal.com/settings/inventory), under **Item types**. These can be physical goods (e.g. Dress, Accessory) as well as services, fees, etc. Focus on getting the main categories defined rather than every switch.
- Set up your sales taxes in [Settings › Sales tax](https://go.cloudbridal.com/settings/taxes). Each tax rate chooses the item types it applies to.

| Tip: For item types without physical stock, like services, leave **Track stock** turned off.

### 3. Configure Appointments

- Visit [Appointment Settings](https://go.cloudbridal.com/settings/appointments)
- View the [Appointments Setup](https://help.cloudbridal.com/en/article/appointments-setup-qnlpxp/) documentation for additional information

### 4. Add Vendors

- Navigate to [Vendors](https://go.cloudbridal.com/vendors)
- Add your vendors. For the time being, you can just add their names, but later on you can fill out additional information.
- View the [Vendors](https://help.cloudbridal.com/en/article/vendors-fnmb5d/) documentation for additional information

### 5. Begin Building Inventory

**Option 1 - Manually:**

- Visit [Inventory](https://go.cloudbridal.com/inventory)
- Add your individual inventory items
- View the [Inventory Management](https://help.cloudbridal.com/en/article/inventory-management-1ray8x9/) documentation for additional information

**Option 2 - Import:**

- Open [Reports & tools](https://go.cloudbridal.com/reports) › **Tools** › [Import from a spreadsheet](https://go.cloudbridal.com/reports/import)
- Choose **Items**
- Fill out the spreadsheet and import
- View the [Initial Data Import](https://help.cloudbridal.com/en/article/initial-data-import-fb3bax/) documentation for additional information

### 6. Decide on Payment Processing

CloudBridal offers two options for processing payments:

1. **Stripe**: This is our system-integrated payment processor. It's easy to set up and directly integrates with CloudBridal — connect it under **Card payments with Stripe** in [Settings › Payments](https://go.cloudbridal.com/settings/payments). See the [Stripe Integration (Payment Processing)](https://help.cloudbridal.com/en/article/stripe-integration-payment-processing-1l4t4rx/) documentation for more information.
2. **Other**: You can bring your own payment processor. CloudBridal allows you to record payments from your existing processor at the time of sale. See the [Payments & Processing](https://help.cloudbridal.com/en/article/payments-processing-nuv3ia/) documentation for more information.

If you decide to use Stripe, you should sign up for a Stripe account by following the [Stripe Integration (Payment Processing)](https://help.cloudbridal.com/en/article/stripe-integration-payment-processing-1l4t4rx/) documentation.

### 7. Additional Order/Payment Settings

- Visit [Settings › Docs & agreements](https://go.cloudbridal.com/settings/receipts) to set up your document templates. These templates can be generated at the time of sale (e.g. Sales Agreement), and at other key stages such as item pickup (e.g. Pickup Agreement). See [Documents & Agreements Setup](https://help.cloudbridal.com/en/article/documents-agreements-setup-pqkft/) for more information.
- Set up any additional payment methods in [Settings › Payments](https://go.cloudbridal.com/settings/payments).

## Additional Setup

These are recommended steps to take after you've completed the initial setup and are ready to start using the system.

### Add Your Staff Members

If desired, you can provide login access to your staff members.

**Create profiles for your team:**

- Go to [Settings › Staff members](https://go.cloudbridal.com/settings/roles)
- Create roles (e.g. Sales Associate, Manager, etc.) with appropriate permissions
- Add each staff member as needed, assigning their appropriate role
- Send account invitations to staff who need system access

### Communications

**Set up essential customer communications:**

- Navigate to [Settings > Communications](https://go.cloudbridal.com/settings/emails)
- Review the wording of the built-in appointment messages, and pick an email design
- Create templates to cover your essential communications with clients, or start from the **Template library**

| Tip: Consider automating your communications based on rules you define. See [Email & SMS Communications](https://help.cloudbridal.com/en/article/email-sms-communications-1kqe3ky/) for more information.

### Twilio

- If you want to use SMS/text communications with your customers, we strongly encourage you to set up a Twilio account to do so. See [Twilio Integration (SMS)](https://help.cloudbridal.com/en/article/twilio-integration-sms-1cbkr2n/) for more details. This unlocks features like text reminders, text automation, and more.

### Print Labels/Tags

- CloudBridal integrates with DYMO Label printers. See [Label Printing & Scanning](https://help.cloudbridal.com/en/article/label-printing-scanning-1qbhni7/) for more details.

### Staff Training

Once you are comfortable with the overall workflow, you should train your staff on the system based on your needs and their role.

## Perform Test Workflows

**Practice using the system:**

- Create one or more test appointment through the **Preview scheduler** button at the top of the [appointment settings page](https://go.cloudbridal.com/settings/appointments).
- Practice approving appointments, rescheduling, and other common workflows.
- Practice blocking time off, which prevents clients from booking those slots. See [Blocking Time Off](https://help.cloudbridal.com/en/article/blocking-time-off-97833e/) for more information.
- Process a sample order. We recommend trying different types of orders:
  - Create a special order
  - Create a "from inventory" order
  - Create an order with multiple items in it
  - Create an order with a discount
- If you handle prom, try using the prom registry
- Generate a receipt and sales agreement and go through the signing process.
- Test creating a payment.
- Consider roleplaying an appointment or walk yourself through a sample appointment if you are operating solo.
- Create a purchase order.
- Try running reports based on common data you need to extract from the system (e.g. monthly sales, daily payments, etc.).

## Getting Help

If you need assistance at any point:

- **Email**: Contact [support@cloudbridal.com](mailto:support@cloudbridal.com)
- **Documentation**: Browse these help articles
- **Live Chat**: Use the chat feature on [cloudbridal.com](https://cloudbridal.com)

Remember that your CloudBridal implementation should reflect your unique business needs. Focus on the essential setup steps first, then gradually explore additional features as you become more comfortable with the system.