> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.moleculedata.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.moleculedata.com/getting-started.md).

# Getting Started

From sign-up to your first synced dashboard in five steps.

Setting up Molecule Data takes a few minutes of clicking and one data sync. The in-app **Get Started** wizard walks you through it — this page explains each step.

{% hint style="info" %}
Even before completing onboarding, connecting your store and at least one ad channel unlocks the free **Live Today** real-time report. See [Live Today](https://docs.moleculedata.com/dashboards/live-today).
{% endhint %}

## 1. Create your account

Sign up at [app.moleculedata.com](https://app.moleculedata.com) with your email, or use **Continue with Google**, **Continue with Meta**, or **Continue with Shopify**. After confirming your email, create your company workspace.

## 2. Connect your Shopify store

This is a required step — your store provides the sales, orders, and revenue data that everything else is matched against.

* **Recommended:** install the Molecule Data app from the Shopify App Store via the **Connect Shopify** button.
* **Alternative:** connect with a custom app token — see [Creating Shopify private app](https://docs.moleculedata.com/connecting-shopify-store/creating-shopify-private-app).

## 3. Connect your ad accounts

Connect at least one marketing channel so we can show all your advertising metrics in one place. Supported channels: **Facebook (Meta)**, **Google Ads**, **TikTok**, **Snapchat**, and **Pinterest**. Each connects with a quick OAuth sign-in — see [Integrations](https://docs.moleculedata.com/integrations) for details.

## 4. Select a plan

Pick the plan that fits your store. Depending on how you signed up, billing runs through Stripe or through Shopify's own subscription confirmation.

## 5. Review & sync your data

Select your **Dashboard Currency**, review everything you connected, and click **Sync Data**. The first sync aggregates your history and can take up to 30 minutes — you'll see **"Setup completed"** when it's done, and the **Get Started** step disappears from the sidebar.

## After onboarding: set up UTM tracking

Accurate attribution depends on the Molecule Data UTM templates being in place in each ad channel. This is the most important configuration step in the whole product — follow the [UTM tracking guides](https://docs.moleculedata.com/tracking-ad-channels/utm-tracking-basics) for each channel you advertise on. The in-app [UTM Tracking page](https://docs.moleculedata.com/tracking-ad-channels/utm-tracking-page) then continuously audits your campaigns and flags any ad with missing or invalid UTMs.

## What to do next

If you are new to advertising, [Your first two weeks](https://docs.moleculedata.com/understanding-your-data/your-first-two-weeks) is a day-by-day path from here to making confident decisions about your ads.