Kick Starting QBO for New Users

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New QuickBooks Online users often feel overwhelmed trying to understand their new software, and sometimes don’t know where to start. This Kick Start list makes the learning process pretty simple.

The “QBO Kick-Start Guide” steers new users through four sections. The images within each section are portals that propel users through checklists.

During our last QB Talks webinar, Murph and I had a fireside chat covering many of the new, enhanced and improved QBO features. One of the areas that received the most participation from those in attendance, in terms of Q&As, was my presentation about what Intuit actually calls the “new QBO In-Product-User Guide.” 

I don't know why, but I like to refer to this feature as "QBO Kick Start." It is only issued to those to whom it matters most – new users. This also means that existing QBO users will not be issued this guide.  

But as ProAdvisors, or other trusted advisors, you must be aware of this guide, because some QBO users might choose to skip straight to Section 3 and get in contact with you. Then, they want you to talk them through the other setup sections and steps. 

You certainly don't want to find yourself twiddling your thumbs not knowing what your new QBO client is even talking about when they ask you to help them "setup payments" in Step 3 of Section 2 of this guide.

QBO Kick-start Guide

It’s really pretty simple – when users sign-up for QBO, they automatically receive the QBO kick start guide located at the top of the QBO home page.

The four sections of the guide are: See How Much You’re Making, Start Invoicing, Get Set Up by a Pro, and Add the Finishing Touches.

So, let's take a few moments 'kick starting' a new QBO set-up using this guide.

Section 1: See How Much You're Making

This section walks you through connecting your bank, reviewing the transactions in the bank feeds and see your profits on a report. 

The first step within this section is to "connect your bank":

Once your bank portal is connected, you'll be able to review your transactions and see your profits.

Section 2 – Start Invoicing

This section moves you through customizing invoices, sending invoices and setting up merchant services.

The customize your invoice portal makes short work of designing a new invoice. In a matter of minutes, you have a professional invoice that reflects you and your style:

Section 3 – Get Set Up with a Pro

How could this not be my favorite section? And it should be yours as well. This portal opens the find a ProAdvisor website and allows the QBO user to connect with an expert, like you.

Section 4 – Add the Finishing Touches

You know how even when you buy a new car off the showroom floor, dealers will take it to the back, wash it, vacuum it and spritz it up before they turn the keys over to you. 

Well, that's kind of what this step is all about. It's like spritzing up your new QBO.

This section allows you to polish up your profile, adding information like your EIN, address, contact names and other company details. It also provides the opportunity to engage with Merchant Services and provides the steps to setup sales tax if needed:

Many ProAdvisors will find another way to use this guide as a training manual for new users, so they get familiar with QBO without feeling like they're going to break it.

We should encourage our new users to walk through these steps so they feel a sense of accomplishment, while at the same time giving them more bang for the buck.This gives us more time to focus on more complicated tasks, like managing bank rules, creating recurring transactions, customizing reports and other setup and training details.