Most shops are selling on SortPi within a few hours of signing up. The trick is doing things in the right order, so that each step has what it needs from the one before.

1. Your business and branches

Start with the basics: your shop's name, address and the branches you run. Every sale, stock count and report is kept per branch, so set them up before anything else.

2. Products, prices and opening stock

Add your products with their selling price, cost and barcode. Import a spreadsheet if you have one. Then enter how many of each you have today, so stock starts from the truth.

3. Your team

Invite your staff and give each a role. A cashier only needs the till; a manager needs purchases and reports. Roles keep everyone to the parts they use.

4. Your first sale

• Open the till and search or scan a product.
• Take payment by cash, card or mobile wallet.
• Print or send the receipt — stock goes down by itself.

That's it: you're selling, and SortPi is keeping the books as you go.