# Going live

> Work through the Setup checklist - which steps are required, what ticks each one - then press Go live to make your booking page findable in Google and other search engines.

Who can do this: admins only.

**Setting up** at the bottom of your sidebar opens the [Setup checklist](/go/admin/setup); this article follows it row by row. Ticks are worked out from your real settings. Required rows must be ticked before **Go live** works; recommended rows never block it.

<Screenshot
  shot="admin-sessions-list"
  alt="The Session admin area showing the Sessions list with upcoming sessions, ready to take bookings."
  caption="The Sessions page - the first row of the checklist starts here."
  mat="peach"
/>

## Schedule your sessions (required)

On [the Sessions page](/go/admin/sessions), check each session's name, times, prices and spaces, and set the days you run as a [repeating schedule](/docs/repeat-schedules) or [one-off event](/docs/one-off-schedules). If you're switching systems, match your old days, times and durations so imported bookings land correctly.

This row ticks when at least one session shows on your booking page and you've named or saved a change to a session. An untouched "Example session" doesn't count.

## Connect Stripe (required)

Select **Connect** and follow [Stripe's onboarding](/docs/connect-stripe), a day or two early in case Stripe needs to verify you. This row ticks when Stripe can take charges and [Settings → Company](/go/admin/settings/company) reads **Connected**; an unfinished onboarding doesn't count.

## Set up your offers (required)

Decide what you sell beyond single sessions - memberships, bundles, gift vouchers and discount codes, under **Offers** in your sidebar ([see Offers](/docs/category/memberships-bundles-vouchers)). A paid membership needs Stripe connected first. This row ticks when you create a membership or a discount code, or save a change to one of the bundles or gift vouchers you started with.

## Design your booking page (recommended)

Add your logo, header image and brand colour under [Booking page](/go/admin/appearance) ([branding](/docs/branding)). This row ticks when you add a logo or header image, or choose your own brand colour.

## Set your waiver and policies (required)

In [Settings → Policies](/go/admin/settings/policies), update the default [waiver](/docs/waivers) and check your [cancellation rules](/docs/cancellation-policy). This row only ticks when you select **Save**, even if you keep the defaults.

## Take a test booking (recommended)

Book a session on your page as a customer would, and check the confirmation email and the booking in your admin. This row ticks on any booking, yours or a customer's, even a cancelled one.

## Import your existing bookings (recommended)

Shown only if you're switching from another system. Import on the day you go live, once your old system has stopped selling - see [importing data](/docs/import) and [switch day](/docs/switching-to-session#on-switch-day). This row ticks when you complete any import or select **Mark as done** (**Undo** sits beside the tick).

## Go live

Before you go live, your booking page works for anyone with the link, but search engines are told not to list it. Going live lets Google and others find it and records the date; nothing changes for customers who have your link.

<Steps>
  <Step>Once every required row is ticked, select **Go live** on the [Setup checklist](/go/admin/setup).</Step>
  <Step>Confirm your booking URL is settled ([changing it later breaks links](/docs/booking-links)), and, if asked, that you've imported your bookings and are happy with a single untouched session.</Step>
  <Step>Select **Go live**.</Step>
</Steps>

Afterwards the checklist shows your booking link, and if you imported customers, a draft email and their addresses to [tell them you've moved](/docs/switching-to-session#tell-your-customers). See also [share your booking page](/docs/share-your-booking-page).

## Common questions

1. **Can I undo going live?** There's no button to reverse it, and pressing it again doesn't change the date you went live. If you need your page taken out of search results, get in touch.

2. **Can I go live without Stripe?** No. You can record [offline payments](/docs/add-a-booking#record-an-offline-payment-or-apply-a-voucher) meanwhile; get in touch if your venue never takes an online payment.

3. **How do I test without charging a real card?** You can't - a test booking on your page is a real charge. Refund it from inside Session afterwards (see [refunds](/docs/refunds)), not from the Stripe dashboard.

4. **Does setting a target go-live date do anything?** No. Your page only goes live when you press the button. The date tells us when to be on hand to help.

5. **Where did Setting up go in my sidebar?** Once you're live and taking payments it moves into **Settings**, then leaves the sidebar about two weeks later; the [Setup page](/go/admin/setup) keeps its address. It comes back if Stripe stops being able to take charges.