# Getting Started on Alternative Payments

**Account setup takes about 10 minutes. Verification and account activation typically take 1 to 3 business days.**

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Curious about how to get started with Alternative Payments? As a first step, book a demo with a member of our sales team: [Book a demo with Alternative](https://www.alternativepayments.io/get-a-demo/). After the demo, your sales rep will introduce you to your dedicated Customer Success Manager to get your onboarding process started.

***

### **Overview of our onboarding process**

1. **Sign up for your account** -- visit [alternativepayments.io](https://www.alternativepayments.io/) and create your account using Social Sign On (Google or Microsoft 365) or a username and password. See below for step-by-step instructions.
2. **Complete your business profile** -- enter your company details, legal name, EIN (United States) or Business Number (Canada), address, and company representative information.
3. **Submit KYC verification** -- provide a government-issued photo ID for the company representative and any beneficial owners holding 25% or more ownership. This is required by financial regulations.
4. **Connect your bank account** -- link your bank account for payouts using Plaid or by entering your details manually.
5. **Set up your integrations** (if applicable) -- connect your accounting software (QuickBooks Online, Xero) and/or PSA (ConnectWise, Autotask, HaloPSA, SuperOps). To learn more, visit our [integration guides](https://help.alternativepayments.io/integrations/accounting-integration-guides).
6. **Account review and activation** -- your account will be in **Setup Mode** while our team reviews your verification documents. This typically takes 1 to 3 business days. During Setup Mode, you can explore the platform and configure your settings, but you cannot process live payments.
7. **Go live** -- once your account is verified, your Customer Success Manager will work with you to activate your account, complete platform training, and take your billing link live.

***

### **How to sign up**

For new partners, the process to get started is easy. Visit [www.alternativepayments.io](https://www.alternativepayments.io/) and click on "Log In" located in the top right corner to initiate your account setup. From there, you have the choice to configure your account by using convenient social sign on options via Gmail or Microsoft 365, or you can opt to establish a secure password. Once your account is created, you'll be introduced to your Customer Success Manager to get your account activated.

**Social Sign On:**

Navigate to "Create an account" and sign up for your new account with Google or Microsoft 365. You'll be navigated to your email provider's website where you can finish the set up by entering your email credentials.

<figure><img src="https://1567070316-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FKPl2XyqKMY0CU5Sb4EWy%2Fuploads%2F4o6SPAaCU53csyMQeFSb%2FScreen%20Shot%202024-12-03%20at%209.45.18%20AM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=66f64de1-15c3-494a-a5f2-a12cf63c52a0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Password Login:**

Set up your Alternative Payments account by configuring an email and secure password. You'll receive an email from *<noreply@notifications.alternativepayments.io>* with a one-time 6-digit code to finish setting up the new account.

<figure><img src="https://1567070316-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FKPl2XyqKMY0CU5Sb4EWy%2Fuploads%2FZDIjLKUcU7MmiQB18nGR%2FScreen%20Shot%202024-12-03%20at%209.46.20%20AM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c62fb419-ae98-45fa-9fff-df2749c7f954" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

After signing up for your account via SSO or Password Login, you'll receive a confirmation code to your registered email. After entering the code, you'll be prompted to **Register new company**:

<figure><img src="https://1567070316-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FKPl2XyqKMY0CU5Sb4EWy%2Fuploads%2FKlIiXIQkAhimSb9ymAqR%2FScreen%20Shot%202024-12-03%20at%209.48.21%20AM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a709c058-1c71-4009-98c0-7c6739c27be0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### **Complete your business profile**

1. **Tell us about your company:** Enter your company name, legal name, EIN (United States) or Business Number (Canada), company website, phone number, company type, industry, and provide a company overview. Click "Continue."
2. **Company address:** Enter your company address and then click "Continue."
3. **Tell us about yourself:** Fill out your name and job title. Click "Continue."
4. **Company representative:** Enter the details of the individual who holds ultimate control over decision-making and is authorized to enter binding agreements on the company's behalf. You will need to upload a government-issued photo ID for this person.
5. **Ownership details:** Add any beneficial owners holding 25% or more ownership. Each beneficial owner will also require a government-issued photo ID. If there are no additional beneficial owners, select Continue.
6. **Connect your bank account:** Connect your bank account via Plaid or enter your banking details manually.
7. **Set up your integration:** Connect your accounting or PSA integration if applicable.

***

### **Setup Mode and account activation**

After completing your business profile, your account will be in **Setup Mode** while our compliance team reviews your information and verification documents. During Setup Mode:

* You can explore the dashboard, configure your settings, and set up integrations
* You can customize your billing link, branding, and email templates
* You **cannot** process live payments or accept customer payments

Verification typically takes **1 to 3 business days**. Your Customer Success Manager will notify you when your account has been approved.

***

### **Pre-go-live checklist**

Before taking your account live, make sure you have completed the following:

* [ ] Business profile and KYC verification approved
* [ ] Bank account connected
* [ ] Accounting and/or PSA integration connected (if applicable)
* [ ] Billing link configured
* [ ] Company branding (logo) uploaded
* [ ] Email notification and reminder settings configured
* [ ] Customer communication sent announcing your new payment process
* [ ] Previous payment platform deactivated (reminders off, auto-pay disabled)

Once everything is in place, your Customer Success Manager will activate your account and you're ready to start processing payments.