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How to get started with Bonsai and set up your account
How to get started with Bonsai and set up your account

A quick-start guide to help you get your business up and running with Bonsai.

Updated this week

Welcome to Bonsai! Whether you're managing client projects, streamlining workflows, or scaling operations, our platform helps agencies save time and reduce complexity. From sending contracts to collecting payments and automating tasks, we're here to help you focus on what matters most - growing your business and supporting your clients.

To get started, we recommend reviewing our pricing page here that includes a full breakdown of our monthly and annual subscription plan offerings.

Getting set up as a business

Setting up your branding

When you get started on the platform, you can personalize your documents and client portal with your own branding, ensuring everything reflects your business identity.

  • Set up your company logo and headers here.

  • Review Bonsai's white-labeling feature here.

  • Edit the default messaging sent with your documents here.

Importing data into Bonsai

You can easily import the data you need to set up your account, including clients, paid invoices, time entries, and expenses.

  • Import data on the platform here.

  • Connect a payment method to import expenses here.

Adding clients

You can manually add clients to your account before starting any projects with them. We’ve made the process simple and efficient.

  • Add and edit your client's information here.

Inviting your team

An essential step for any agency or team is inviting your team members to your workspace.

  • Invite team members to Bonsai here.

Team permissions

After adding your team, you can adjust permissions to tailor access levels. This helps ensure everyone has the access they need, making collaboration smoother while keeping things secure and organized.

  • User roles and permissions on the platform here.

  • Access your full list of team members here.

  • Manage your team member access here.

Tasks

We’ve designed an intuitive task management system to help you stay organized and focused, so you can streamline your workflow and spend more time accomplishing what matters most.

  • Create tasks here.

  • Apply different hourly rates to tasks within a project here.

Time tracking

In Bonsai you have the flexibility to live time track on your tasks, or manually add your hours whenever it's convenient for you.

  • Track time internally with Bonsai here.

  • Manually add tracked time here.

Creating projects

When you create a project with your client, this opens up the possibility to create proposals, contracts, invoices and sharing other documents with your client directly.

  • Custom project numbering and ID's here.

  • Project settings and configuration here.

  • How to send files to your clients through projects here.

Working with clients

Client Portal

The Client Portal allows you to share project details with clients in a branded, user-friendly interface. Clients can view invoices, documents, and past activity, upload files, and collaborate with you on tasks all in one place.

  • Use the Client Portal for collaboration with your clients here.

  • Share tasks with clients through the Client Portal here.

  • Clients can upload files to projects with you here.

  • Enable client messaging here.

Proposals

Proposals help you create a professional first impression with potential clients by outlining services, project scope, timelines, and budgets, all before moving forward with formal contracts.

  • All about proposals here.

  • View Bonsai's proposal templates here.

Contracts

Contracts help you formalize agreements with clients by clearly defining the terms, scope, timelines, and payment details, ensuring both parties are aligned before work begins.

  • Create completely custom contracts here.

Invoicing clients

Invoicing streamlines the process of billing clients by clearly outlining the services provided, payment terms, and due dates, helping you maintain a professional and organized workflow.

  • Create an invoice here.

  • Enable online payments for invoicing here.

  • How to invoice your clients here.

Scheduling

With our scheduling feature, clients and leads can easily book time with you based on your availability, all within the platform—no need for extra subscriptions.

  • Set up scheduling here.

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