---
title: "Activate Shop"
description: "The activation wizard guides you through the initial setup of your Corporate Shop"
category: "general"
tags: ["activation", "setup", "wizard", "first start"]
createdAt: "2026-04-01"
updatedAt: "2026-04-01"
canonical: "https://help.softwear-prints.com/en/articles/getting-started/activation"
---

# Activate Shop

When you log into your Corporate Admin for the first time, you will be greeted by the activation wizard. This guides you step-by-step through the most important settings so that your shop is ready for use as quickly as possible.

::admin-link{path="/activation" label="Open Activation Wizard"}
::

## When does the activation wizard appear?

The wizard appears automatically when:

- You log into your Corporate Admin **for the first time**
- Essential setup steps are **not yet completed**
- You **manually restart** the wizard via the dashboard

## The Setup Steps

### Step 1: Shop Information

Enter the basic information for your shop:

- **Shop Name** - The name displayed to your customers in the header and on invoices
- **Description** - A short description of your shop (displayed on the homepage)
- **Shop Type** - Select the type of your business: Association, Company, Brand, or Other
- **Contact Email** - The email address customers can use to reach you
- **Phone Number** - Optional, displayed in the shop as a contact option

::admin-link{path="/settings/shop" label="Edit Shop Settings"}
::

### Step 2: Customize Design

Visually adapt your shop to your company:

- **Primary Color** - Your main color for buttons, links, and accents (e.g., your corporate color)
- **Secondary Color** - Complementary color for secondary elements
- **Background Color** - The base color of your shop
- **Shapes** - Angular or rounded for buttons and cards
- **Shadows** - Subtle or distinct for visual depth

::admin-link{path="/settings/theme" label="Customize Design"}
::

> **Tip:** Use your corporate colors from your corporate design so that the shop is immediately recognized as part of your company.

### Step 3: Payment Method

For your shop to remain active, you need a stored payment method for your subscription:

- **Credit Card / Debit Card** - Visa, Mastercard, and other cards via Stripe
- **SEPA Direct Debit** - For EU accounts (automatic debit)
- **Apple Pay / Google Pay** - Contactless via Stripe

The payment method is securely stored with our payment service provider Stripe. softwear.prints does not have access to your full card details.

::admin-link{path="/settings/subscription" label="Store Payment Method"}
::

### Step 4: Choose Package

Choose the right package for your requirements:

| Package | Suitable for | Included Features |
|---|---|---|
| **Free** | Small teams, entry-level | Basic functions, limited assortment |
| **Professional** | Medium-sized companies | Advanced functions, branches & departments, product assignment |
| **Enterprise** | Large organizations | Full feature package, extended permissions, Priority Support |

You can change or upgrade your package at any time later.

### Step 5: Release Products

In the final step, you can release the first products from the softwear.prints catalog for your shop:

1. Browse the available product catalog
2. Check images, descriptions, and prices
3. Release selected products

Released products will immediately be visible to customers in your shop.

::admin-link{path="/product" label="Browse Products"}
::

## After Activation

Once all steps are completed:

- Your shop is **online and accessible** under your shop domain
- Customers can **register and shop**
- You can make further settings in the admin area at any time
- The onboarding section on the dashboard can be hidden

## Continue Activation Later

You don't have to complete the wizard in one go. You can leave it at any time and continue later - your progress will be saved. The remaining steps will also be displayed as tasks on the dashboard.

## Further Reading

- [The Dashboard](/articles/getting-started/dashboard) - Dashboard functions in detail
- [Set up Shop](/articles/corporate/setup) - All shop settings explained in detail
- [Design & Theme](/articles/corporate/theme) - Design options in detail
- [Subscription & Payment](/articles/corporate/subscription) - Packages and billing