How to use the Getting started checklist

Five to seven steps picked for your kind of business, ticked by Otto as each one is really done.

Updated 2026-10-27

Every business gets a short checklist of the things that matter most for its kind of work. A salon is asked for its services and prices, online booking, its clients, reminders and reviews. An agency is asked for its packages, its clients, a sending domain, a first proposal and a client page. A café or restaurant starts with its menu and its tables; a rental business with its first unit, a booking calendar link and a cleaner.

Where

Overview, in the Getting started widget. In the modern design's standard set it sits right under the day's line. Anywhere else, add it yourself: press Customize, then + Add widgets, and pick Getting started.

Steps

Open Overview. The bar shows how many steps are done, such as 2 of 6 done.
The next step not yet done is at the top, with its button, e.g. Open Booking. Press it to go to the page where it is done.
Do the step there. There is nothing to tick: when you come back, Otto has ticked it from what is now in your business.
The other steps are listed below it, each with a tick when done. Press one to go straight to its page.

What ticks each step

Each step is ticked from a record, never by a button:

Add what you sell (or your packages, services or fees): a line on your price list.
Bring over your customers (in your own word for them, e.g. clients or guests): at least one in your list, imported or added by hand.
Send your first quote or proposal: a quote that has been sent, not a draft.
Send your first invoice: an invoice that has been sent.
Say how you get paid: payment instructions written on the Invoices page, or card payments once connected.
Switch on online booking: your booking page switched on.
Switch on your first automation (or Send reminders automatically): a workflow switched on. One written and left off does not count.
Ask for reviews after each job: a review link added and review requests switched on.
Send email from your own domain: a sending domain that has been verified, in Settings → Email.
Give a customer their own page: a client page link that is still active.
Send your first contract (or engagement letter), Ask a customer for their documents, Invite your team, Publish your website, Add your menu or products, Add your tables, Connect your online store, Start your first email campaign, Add your first unit, Add a lease, Link a booking calendar, Name a cleaner for a unit, Add your first vehicle, Book your first rental, Record your first gift and Start a fundraising campaign: the first one of each.

Good to know

Only steps for parts of Otto your business has switched on are listed. Switch Automations off and its step goes; switch it back on and it returns. See How to switch parts of Otto on and off.
Someone whose position does not manage the business sees only the steps they can do themselves, such as adding customers or sending a quote.
A business you started with Otto already has a launch plan. Its checklist is that plan, so nothing is listed twice. A step only you can vouch for, such as checking whether you need a seller's permit, is ticked on the Launch plan page.
When every step is done, the widget leaves your Overview by itself.
Press Hide on the widget to take it off your Overview. It stays in + Add widgets if you want it back.