The VendorHearth Pro Setup Wizard guides you through the initial configuration of your vendor-management system.
You can access it from your WordPress Dashboard by going to:
VendorHearth Pro → Setup Wizard
The wizard contains seven steps. Settings configured during the wizard can be changed later from the appropriate VendorHearth settings or management screens.
Step 1: Organization #
The first step establishes the basic identity of your organization.
Enter your:
- Organization Name
- Vendor Contact Email
The organization name identifies the market, festival, organization, or business using VendorHearth.
The vendor contact email should be an address your organization actively monitors because vendors may use it when communicating about their applications or events.
When finished, continue to the next step.
You can also select Skip for now and configure this information later.
Step 2: Payments #
The Payments step allows you to select the payment gateway your organization will use for vendor payments.
Choose the appropriate payment option for your organization.
If your selected gateway requires additional credentials or configuration, VendorHearth provides access to the corresponding payment settings.
For example, Square requires its own connection information before live payments can be processed.
You do not have to complete live payment processing during the Setup Wizard. You can return to payment settings before opening applications.
For detailed payment configuration, see the documentation in the Payments category.
Step 3: Email #
VendorHearth uses WordPress email to send notifications and communications to vendors.
During this step, configure the identity used for VendorHearth emails, including:
- From Name
- From Email
The From Name is typically your organization or market name.
The From Email should be an address associated with your organization and capable of sending email through your WordPress website.
VendorHearth also provides an option to send a test email so you can verify that messages are being sent successfully.
If the test email does not arrive, review your WordPress email configuration before accepting live vendor applications.
Step 4: Categories #
Categories help organize vendors and control the types of vendors accepted for your events.
Enter your initial vendor categories during this step.
Enter one category per line.
Examples might include:
- Jewelry
- Baked Goods
- Apparel
- Woodworking
- Candles
- Art
- Food Trucks
These are only examples. Create categories that make sense for your organization and events.
Categories can be added, changed, and managed later from the VendorHearth Categories area.
Step 5: Agreements #
VendorHearth can require vendors to accept agreements as part of the application process.
During this step, review the agreements that will be used by your organization.
VendorHearth supports agreement records such as:
- Vendor Agreement
- Code of Conduct
- Marketplace Standards
- Application Certification
VendorHearth provides the system for displaying agreements and recording vendor acceptance.
VendorHearth does not provide the legal terms for your organization.
Your organization is responsible for creating, reviewing, and maintaining the actual language contained in its agreements.
You can manage agreements later from the VendorHearth Agreements area.
Step 6: First Event #
The Setup Wizard can create your first VendorHearth event.
Enter the basic event information, including:
- Event Name
- Event Date, or mark the date as TBA
- Event Location
You can also create the event’s first booth type by entering information such as:
- Booth type/name
- Price
- Location type
- Capacity
Additional event settings, booth options, categories, application questions, agreements, add-ons, and other configuration can be added after the wizard is complete.
Applications Start Closed #
Your first event is created with applications closed.
This is intentional.
It gives you an opportunity to review and finish configuring the event before vendors are able to submit applications.
Do not open applications until you have reviewed the event and confirmed that its booth options, category limits, questions, agreements, pricing, and other settings are correct.
Step 7: Finish #
The final step completes the initial VendorHearth onboarding process.
From here, you can continue to:
- System Readiness
- Organizer Dashboard
We recommend checking System Readiness before opening your first event for applications.
System Readiness checks important parts of the VendorHearth installation and can identify configuration issues that should be addressed before going live.
Can I Skip Setup Wizard Steps? #
Yes.
Steps in the Setup Wizard can be skipped if you are not ready to configure them.
Skipping a step does not prevent you from using VendorHearth or permanently remove the setting.
You can return to the appropriate VendorHearth management area later and complete or change the configuration.
However, before accepting real vendor applications, make sure your organization information, email delivery, payment configuration, categories, agreements, and event settings are ready.
Can I Run the Setup Wizard Again? #
The Setup Wizard is primarily intended for initial onboarding.
After VendorHearth has been configured, most changes should be made directly from the corresponding VendorHearth settings or management screen rather than relying on the wizard.
Next Step #
Once you have completed the Setup Wizard, continue to Understanding System Readiness.
