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

# Get started with Payam

> Create your account, set up your store, and activate selling.

New merchants complete account onboarding first, then finish a store setup checklist in the dashboard. If you already have a store, sign in and continue from the unfinished step shown on your dashboard.

## Create your account and business

1. Sign up or sign in. Payam may ask you to verify a code sent to your email or WhatsApp number.
2. On **Let's get to know you**, enter your first and last name. If prompted, add and verify the other contact method too. Select **Next**.
3. On **Now, tell us about your business**, enter your business name, choose a business type, and answer whether you have a physical store. Select **Set up my store**.
4. Wait while Payam creates your store and opens the merchant dashboard.

If you leave during onboarding, sign in again. Payam should return you to the step you still need to finish.

## Complete setup to start selling

On the dashboard, follow **Complete setup to start selling**. The checklist includes:

1. **Add bank details** so customer payments can be paid out to your bank account.
2. **Complete your store information**, including your logo, business address, and other store details.
3. **Set up order fulfillment** with your business hours, delivery zones, and customer handoff options.
4. **Add your first product** so there is something to publish in your store.

When those steps are complete, select **Activate store**, choose how **transaction fees** are handled, then select **Save and activate store**. Payam displays the remaining steps and their completion status on the dashboard. See [Store setup states](https://help.payam.africa/merchants/setup-states.md) if a channel is still unavailable.

## After activation

Use **Products → All products** to manage your catalog and **Orders** to handle purchases. Open **Online store → Store front** to review the shopper experience, and use **Theme**, **Menu**, and **Pages** to customize it.

If you get stuck during setup, email [Payam support](mailto:support@payam.africa).


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