Watch: How to Get Around SalesThumb (Desktop) (1:08)
Welcome to SalesThumb. This guide gets you from "just signed up" to "running real jobs" in 30 minutes.
1. Run the onboarding wizard (5 min)
When you first sign in, you'll see a six-step wizard: shop basics (name, industry, and optional phone/address), operating hours, a starter service catalog for your industry, your brand color, optional channel connections (email, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, and a dedicated texting number), and a finish screen with quick-win links. Fill in whatever you know — you can change everything later. The wizard sets sensible defaults so you're not staring at empty configuration screens.
2. Configure your top 5 services (10 min)
Skip the impulse to add every service you've ever offered. Pick your 5 highest-revenue services and configure them properly: name, category, default price, duration, and (only if it needs its own online-booking deposit) the Override booking deposit switch. Add the rest later when you actually need them.
3. Import your customer list (5 min)
CSV import from your current tool. Only first and last name are required (or one full-name column SalesThumb splits); phone, email, address, notes, tags, and one vehicle per row are optional. You also pick which platform the file came from before the Import button unlocks. ShopMonkey shops can also pull customers, vehicles, invoices, and upcoming appointments straight from ShopMonkey at Settings → Integrations → ShopMonkey; OrbisX and TintWiz exports come in through the CSV importer — see the migration articles in this KB.
4. Connect payments (5 min)
Settings → Payments → click Connect payments in the Accept payments card and fill in the inline onboarding form. Approval isn't instant — the card shows Application in review while it's underwritten. Once approved, quotes can carry a deposit pay link, invoices can be paid online, and — if you turn on a booking deposit under Settings → Online Booking — the public booking page collects it at booking time.
5. Send your first quote (5 min)
Create a customer, attach a vehicle, build a quote from your service catalog, send via SMS or email. The customer receives a public link, accepts in one tap, and pays the deposit if you require one. You'll see the whole lifecycle play out.
What to defer
- Branding details: logo, colors, email templates. Defaults look fine; iterate later.
- Custom automations: the built-in reminders, review requests, and post-invoice playbook are enough to start.
- Multi-bay scheduling rules: start with one bay per tech; add complexity once you feel the constraint.
- API keys, webhooks: zero-revenue work for week one.
Need help? In-app help widget (chat + email), or email hello@salesthumb.com.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How long does it take to get started with SalesThumb?
A: About 30 minutes, following the five-step walkthrough: running the onboarding wizard, configuring your top 5 services, importing your customer list, connecting payments, and sending your first quote.
Q: What does the onboarding wizard set up?
A: A six-step wizard covering shop basics (name, industry, and optional phone/address), operating hours, a starter service catalog for your industry, your brand color, optional channel connections (email, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, and a dedicated texting number), and a finish screen with quick-win links. Fill in what you know and change everything later — it sets sensible defaults so you're not staring at empty configuration screens.
Q: How many services should I configure when I'm starting out?
A: Just your top 5 highest-revenue services — name, category, default price, duration, and an optional per-service booking deposit for each. Add the rest later once you actually need them.
Q: Can I bring over my existing customer list?
A: Yes, via CSV import. Only first and last name are required (or a single full-name column); phone, email, address, notes, tags, and one vehicle per row are optional. ShopMonkey shops can also import customers, vehicles, invoices, and upcoming appointments directly at Settings → Integrations → ShopMonkey; OrbisX and TintWiz data comes in through the CSV importer.
Q: How do I connect payments during setup?
A: Go to Settings → Payments and click Connect payments in the Accept payments card, then fill in the inline onboarding form. Approval isn't instant — the card shows Application in review while it's underwritten. Once approved, quotes can include a deposit pay link, invoices can be paid online, and — if you've turned on a booking deposit under Settings → Online Booking — deposits are collected at booking time.
Q: What should I skip or defer for later?
A: Branding details (logo, colors, email templates), custom automations, multi-bay scheduling rules, and API keys/webhooks — none of these are needed to be productive in week one.