# Create your account

> Create a Bolt merchant account and complete initial dashboard setup.

Source: https://help.boltapp.com/dashboard/create-account

Create your merchant dashboard account and begin configuring checkout. You can add payment and support details after you have dashboard access.

[Create your Bolt account](https://merchant.boltapp.com/onboarding)

## Step 1: Submit the onboarding form [#step-1-submit-the-onboarding-form]

Collect the following information before you start:

* Primary and additional contact name and email (for account users)
* Payment processor
* Primary business name (DBA)
* Billing and legal address
* Industry
* Sandbox or staging URL (optional)
* Shopping cart platform

<Note>
  This information creates a unique account for your company.
</Note>

After you submit the form, Bolt begins generating your account.

## Step 2: Access production and sandbox [#step-2-access-production-and-sandbox]

When your account is ready, you receive two invitation emails: one for production and one for sandbox. These are separate accounts.

From either dashboard you can add users, retrieve [API keys](/getting-started/api-keys), and configure your store.

## Step 3: Set up Bolt Payments (optional) [#step-3-set-up-bolt-payments-optional]

If you use [Bolt Payments](https://help.boltapp.com/add-ons/bolt-payments/), gather company, owner, and bank details with your internal teams before you start.

1. Go to **Payments > Set up Bolt Payments**.
2. Under **Company Information**, enter business name, EIN, and year founded.
3. Under **Owner Information**, enter owner identity, address, date of birth, last four SSN digits, stake percentage, and card-processing history.
4. Under **Bank Information**, enter account and routing numbers.

<Note>
  This information supports tax reporting, identity verification, and payment payouts.
</Note>

## Step 4: Add support contact information [#step-4-add-support-contact-information]

Before you go live, add shopper support channels:

1. Go to **Administration > Business Information > Support Contact Information**.
2. Enter support phone number and support email address.

## Related [#related]

* [Dashboard tour](/dashboard/dashboard-tour)
* [View transactions](/dashboard/view-transactions)