# Onboarding Guide


Get up and running with Bento in under an hour. This guide walks you through the essential setup steps based on your specific needs.

<div className="mt-8">

  
    Use our official SDKs to integrate Bento with your application. We have SDKs for [Laravel](https://github.com/bentonow/bento-laravel-sdk), [Ruby on Rails](https://github.com/bentonow/bento-ruby-sdk), [Node.js](https://github.com/bentonow/bento-node-sdk), and more.

    
      <GuidelineSection
        title="Add DNS Records"
        number={1}
        estimatedTime="15 mins"
        items={[
          "Go to Emails > Authors and add your sending email addresses",
          "Navigate to Deliverability > DNS Records",
          "Add the provided DNS records to your domain settings",
          "Add the DNS entry for link branding",
          "Click Validate DNS Records to confirm setup"
        ]}
      >
        DNS records authorize Bento to send emails on your behalf. This ensures your emails land in inboxes instead of spam folders.

        
> Link Branding lets you use your own domain for tracking links and images. This is a free feature included with all Bento accounts.

      

      <GuidelineSection
        title="Install and Configure SDK"
        number={2}
        estimatedTime="40 mins"
        items={[
          "Follow the install guide for your chosen SDK",
          "Send key events like $signed_up when users register",
          "Create Bento subscribers when users sign up",
          "Optionally configure transactional emails"
        ]}
      >
        Start with minimal data to keep things clean. You can always add more events later. Find all SDKs under **Apps** in the main navigation.
      

      <GuidelineSection
        title="Import Existing Users"
        number={3}
        estimatedTime="20 mins"
        items={[
          "Navigate to People > All Users",
          "Click Import Users, then Import Users (CSV)",
          "Download and fill out the sample spreadsheet",
          "Upload your CSV file",
          "Refresh to see your imported users"
        ]}
      >
        
> ⚠️ **Warning**
> Don't just export a CSV from another system. Take time to clean your data using our sample CSV as a guide.


        
> ⚠️ **Warning**
> Use lowercase with underscores for column names (e.g., `first_name`, not `First Name`).


        
> 🚨 **Important**
> Upload unsubscribed users and select "Unsubscribe users" during import. This prevents accidentally emailing people who opted out.

      

      <GuidelineSection
        title="Send Your First Email"
        number={4}
        estimatedTime="8 mins"
        items={[
          "Click Search and type your email address",
          "View your profile and click Send Email",
          "Fill out the fields and hit Send",
          "Check your inbox within 5 seconds"
        ]}
      >
      
    
  

  
    The Laravel Importer automates syncing your existing users to Bento. Perfect for migrations or keeping your user database in sync.

    See the [Laravel SDK](https://github.com/bentonow/bento-laravel-sdk) and the [detailed import guide](/docs/examples/laravel_importer).

    
      <GuidelineSection
        title="Add DNS Records"
        number={1}
        estimatedTime="15 mins"
        items={[
          "Go to Emails > Authors and add your sending email addresses",
          "Navigate to Deliverability > DNS Records",
          "Add the provided DNS records to your domain settings",
          "Add the DNS entry for link branding",
          "Click Validate DNS Records to confirm setup"
        ]}
      >
        DNS records authorize Bento to send emails on your behalf. This ensures your emails land in inboxes instead of spam folders.

        
> Link Branding lets you use your own domain for tracking links and images. This is a free feature included with all Bento accounts.

      

      <GuidelineSection
        title="Configure Laravel Importer"
        number={2}
        estimatedTime="40 mins"
        items={[
          "Follow the Laravel SDK setup guide",
          "Run the built-in importer command",
          "Optionally customize the query for your specific needs"
        ]}
      >
        You can customize which users get synced to Bento if you have complex requirements.
      

      <GuidelineSection
        title="Send Your First Email"
        number={3}
        estimatedTime="8 mins"
        items={[
          "Click Search and type your email address",
          "View your profile and click Send Email",
          "Fill out the fields and hit Send",
          "Check your inbox within 5 seconds"
        ]}
      >
      
    
  

  
    Connect Bento to your tools using Zapier, Make.com, or webhooks. No coding required.

    
      <GuidelineSection
        title="Add DNS Records"
        number={1}
        estimatedTime="15 mins"
        items={[
          "Go to Emails > Authors and add your sending email addresses",
          "Navigate to Deliverability > DNS Records",
          "Add the provided DNS records to your domain settings",
          "Add the DNS entry for link branding",
          "Click Validate DNS Records to confirm setup"
        ]}
      >
        DNS records authorize Bento to send emails on your behalf. This ensures your emails land in inboxes instead of spam folders.

        
> Link Branding lets you use your own domain for tracking links and images. This is a free feature included with all Bento accounts.

      

      <GuidelineSection
        title="Connect Your Integration"
        number={2}
        estimatedTime="15 mins"
        items={[
          "Connect Bento to Zapier or Make.com",
          "Set up a key event like $signed_up or Purchased",
          "Optionally connect Stripe to track payments"
        ]}
      >
        Start with minimal data. You can always add more automations later.
      

      <GuidelineSection
        title="Import Existing Users"
        number={3}
        estimatedTime="20 mins"
        items={[
          "Navigate to People > All Users",
          "Click Import Users, then Import Users (CSV)",
          "Download and fill out the sample spreadsheet",
          "Upload your CSV file",
          "Refresh to see your imported users"
        ]}
      >
        
> ⚠️ **Warning**
> Don't just export a CSV from another system. Take time to clean your data using our sample CSV as a guide.


        
> ⚠️ **Warning**
> Use lowercase with underscores for column names (e.g., `first_name`, not `First Name`).


        
> 🚨 **Important**
> Upload unsubscribed users and select "Unsubscribe users" during import. This prevents accidentally emailing people who opted out.

      

      <GuidelineSection
        title="Send Your First Email"
        number={4}
        estimatedTime="8 mins"
        items={[
          "Click Search and type your email address",
          "View your profile and click Send Email",
          "Fill out the fields and hit Send",
          "Check your inbox within 5 seconds"
        ]}
      >
      
    
  

  
    Connect your Shopify store directly to Bento. We'll automatically sync your customers, orders, and more.

    
      <GuidelineSection
        title="Add DNS Records"
        number={1}
        estimatedTime="15 mins"
        items={[
          "Go to Emails > Authors and add your sending email addresses",
          "Navigate to Deliverability > DNS Records",
          "Add the provided DNS records to your domain settings",
          "Add the DNS entry for link branding",
          "Click Validate DNS Records to confirm setup"
        ]}
      >
        DNS records authorize Bento to send emails on your behalf. This ensures your emails land in inboxes instead of spam folders.

        
> Link Branding lets you use your own domain for tracking links and images. This is a free feature included with all Bento accounts.

      

      <GuidelineSection
        title="Connect Shopify"
        number={2}
        estimatedTime="3 mins"
        items={[
          "Navigate to Apps in Bento",
          "Click Connect Shopify",
          "Authorize the connection in Shopify"
        ]}
      >
        Once connected, Bento automatically receives customer data and order information from Shopify.
      

      <GuidelineSection
        title="Import Existing Users"
        number={3}
        estimatedTime="20 mins"
        items={[
          "Navigate to People > All Users",
          "Click Import Users, then Import Users (CSV)",
          "Download and fill out the sample spreadsheet",
          "Upload your CSV file",
          "Refresh to see your imported users"
        ]}
      >
        Shopify automatically adds fields like `first_name` and `phone_number`. Match these field names when importing from other sources.

        
> ⚠️ **Warning**
> Don't just export a CSV from another system. Take time to clean your data using our sample CSV as a guide.


        
> 🚨 **Important**
> Upload unsubscribed users and select "Unsubscribe users" during import. This prevents accidentally emailing people who opted out.

      

      <GuidelineSection
        title="Send Your First Email"
        number={4}
        estimatedTime="5 mins"
        items={[
          "Click Search and type your email address",
          "View your profile and click Send Email",
          "Fill out the fields and hit Send",
          "Check your inbox within 5 seconds"
        ]}
      >
      
    
  

  
    Install our WordPress plugin to connect with LearnDash, WooCommerce, EasyDigitalDownloads, and more.

    
      <GuidelineSection
        title="Add DNS Records"
        number={1}
        estimatedTime="15 mins"
        items={[
          "Go to Emails > Authors and add your sending email addresses",
          "Navigate to Deliverability > DNS Records",
          "Add the provided DNS records to your domain settings",
          "Add the DNS entry for link branding",
          "Click Validate DNS Records to confirm setup"
        ]}
      >
        DNS records authorize Bento to send emails on your behalf. This ensures your emails land in inboxes instead of spam folders.

        
> Link Branding lets you use your own domain for tracking links and images. This is a free feature included with all Bento accounts.

      

      <GuidelineSection
        title="Install WordPress Plugin"
        number={2}
        estimatedTime="15 mins"
        items={[
          "Download the Bento WordPress Plugin",
          "Install and activate in WordPress",
          "Configure your API keys",
          "Enable the integrations you need"
        ]}
      >
        
> For plugins not supported by Bento, consider [WPFusion](https://wpfusion.com/) which connects hundreds of plugins to Bento. We're happy to credit accounts that need this.

      

      <GuidelineSection
        title="Import Existing Users"
        number={3}
        estimatedTime="20 mins"
        items={[
          "Navigate to People > All Users",
          "Click Import Users, then Import Users (CSV)",
          "Download and fill out the sample spreadsheet",
          "Upload your CSV file",
          "Refresh to see your imported users"
        ]}
      >
        Match field names across all your integrations and imports for consistent data.

        
> ⚠️ **Warning**
> Use lowercase with underscores for column names (e.g., `first_name`, not `First Name`).


        
> 🚨 **Important**
> Upload unsubscribed users and select "Unsubscribe users" during import. This prevents accidentally emailing people who opted out.

      

      <GuidelineSection
        title="Send Your First Email"
        number={4}
        estimatedTime="8 mins"
        items={[
          "Click Search and type your email address",
          "View your profile and click Send Email",
          "Fill out the fields and hit Send",
          "Check your inbox within 5 seconds"
        ]}
      >
      
    
  

  
    Import your existing contact list from a CSV file. Perfect for migrating from another provider or adding event signups.

    
      <GuidelineSection
        title="Add DNS Records"
        number={1}
        estimatedTime="15 mins"
        items={[
          "Go to Emails > Authors and add your sending email addresses",
          "Navigate to Deliverability > DNS Records",
          "Add the provided DNS records to your domain settings",
          "Add the DNS entry for link branding",
          "Click Validate DNS Records to confirm setup"
        ]}
      >
        DNS records authorize Bento to send emails on your behalf. This ensures your emails land in inboxes instead of spam folders.

        
> Link Branding lets you use your own domain for tracking links and images. This is a free feature included with all Bento accounts.

      

      <GuidelineSection
        title="Import Your Users"
        number={2}
        estimatedTime="20 mins"
        items={[
          "Navigate to People > All Users",
          "Click Import Users, then Import Users (CSV)",
          "Download and fill out the sample spreadsheet",
          "Upload your CSV file",
          "Refresh to see your imported users"
        ]}
      >
        
> ⚠️ **Warning**
> Don't just export a CSV from another system. Take time to clean your data using our sample CSV as a guide.


        
> ⚠️ **Warning**
> Use lowercase with underscores for column names (e.g., `first_name`, not `First Name`). Include `email`, `tags`, and any custom fields you need.


        
> 🚨 **Important**
> Upload unsubscribed users and select "Unsubscribe users" during import. This prevents accidentally emailing people who opted out.

      

      <GuidelineSection
        title="Send Your First Email"
        number={3}
        estimatedTime="8 mins"
        items={[
          "Click Search and type your email address",
          "View your profile and click Send Email",
          "Fill out the fields and hit Send",
          "Check your inbox within 5 seconds"
        ]}
      >
      
    
  

</div>