The setup checklist

New businesses see a Getting started card at the top of the dashboard. It lists the few things that make Chiffchaff work for you, and ticks each one off once it's done. Each step has a Start button that opens the page where you do it, and a Help link to the article that explains it. A step only the owner can do (choosing the plan, when the owner looks after billing) says The owner does this instead of Start.

The steps

1. Connect Google, so your Google reviews come in. See Connect your Google Business Profile. If Google later needs you to sign in again, this step comes back as Reconnect Google.
2. Match a location to its Google listing, by adding its Google place ID in Locations. Review links then go to the right listing.
3. Bring in your customers. Optional. Upload a spreadsheet from your old tool or add your regulars, so your first requests have people to go to. Add opens the customer import in Settings → Import a list. It ticks off once you have at least one customer, however they got there. See Import customers.
4. Set your reply voice: paste a few replies you've written so drafts sound like you. See Edit your reply voice.
5. Approve your first reply in your inbox. It counts once a reply is approved, posted or scheduled, not just drafted.
6. Ask for your first review: send a request by email or text, put up your QR code, or connect Zapier. See Ask a customer for a review.
7. Send yourself a test request. Optional. See the email and the page your customers get. A test never ticks step 6. See Send yourself a test request.
8. Register for texting. Optional. Phone carriers only deliver business texts from registered senders, so we register your business with its own number. It ticks off once you've sent your details; the carriers then take a few days to a few weeks. If they turn it down, the step comes back as Fix your texting registration. See Register for texting.
9. Add your team. Optional. Invite people to sign in, or add the people customers mention so replies can thank them. See Team and roles.
10. Choose a plan before your trial ends, so requests and replies keep going. See Your trial, and coming back after cancelling.

Hiding it

Optional steps never keep the card open, and the setup emails we send in your first two weeks never remind you about them. The card goes away on its own once every step except the optional ones is done. Owners and managers can also click Hide on the card. To bring it back, turn on Show the setup checklist on your dashboard in Settings → All settings → Getting started.

Stuck on a step? See Get help.