> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://guides.paynow.gg/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://guides.paynow.gg/getting-started/creating-a-store.md). # Creating a Store The **Stores** page lists every store you own or belong to. *Dashboard → Stores. Any account can create a store; no permission needed.* ## Before you start Verification stalls without three things: * Payout details: bank account information, or a PayPal address if your store is in USD. * Your Tax ID, or the equivalent local documentation. * A valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID: passport, driver's licence, national ID card or residence permit. You must be **18 or over** to verify. Under 18, a parent or guardian has to create the account and verify in their own name; contact to transfer it once you turn 18, rather than changing the name on a verified account. ## Create the store 1. Click **Create Store** in the top-right corner. 2. Enter a **Store Name**. 3. Enter a **Slug**. 4. Select your **Currency**. 5. Choose your **platform** and **integration type**. 6. Enter your **Support Email** and **Contact Email**. 7. Click **Create Store**.
The Stores page listing two stores, with the Create store button highlighted in the top-right corner.

An account with no stores yet goes straight to a Create a Store / Join a Store chooser instead of this list.

The Create Store form completed for a demo Minecraft store called Ravenhold.
### Store fields | Field | What it does | Can you change it later? | | -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Store Name** | Shown to customers throughout checkout and on receipts. | Yes | | **Slug** | Short identifier used in your store URL. | Technically yes, but every link you've shared will break. Treat it as permanent. | | **Currency** | What prices are set and charged in. | No. See below. | | **Platform** | The game or service you sell for. Customises which store features you get. | Yes, from Store Settings. Switching to or from a third-party integration opens a **Platform Change** warning: it affects your platform fees and available functionality. | | **Integration type** | Hosted Webstore, Headless API, or Third-Party Integration. | Yes, but it changes which parts of the dashboard apply to you. | | **Support Email** | Shown to customers. Where they contact you. | Yes | | **Contact Email** | Where PayNow contacts you. Not customer-visible. | Yes | {% hint style="warning" %} **Currency is effectively permanent.** It sets what customers are charged in and what your payouts settle in. A global audience doesn't need multiple stores: [Adaptive Currency](/store-settings/adaptive-currency.md) presents local prices on top of your base currency. {% endhint %} ### Choosing an integration type | Type | Use when | You manage | | --------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- | | **Hosted Webstore** | You want PayNow to host and render your storefront. Most stores. | Products, appearance and promotions, all in the dashboard | | **Headless API** | You have your own site and want to drive checkout yourself. | Your own frontend; PayNow handles payment and delivery | | **Third-Party Integration** | Another platform creates and drives your store. | Very little. | ## The six onboarding steps The **Onboarding** section walks you through launch. You can leave and come back; progress is saved.
The six-tile onboarding banner on the dashboard, with four launch steps marked complete and two still outstanding.
### Step 1: Create a product [Your First Product](/getting-started/your-first-product.md) is the quick walkthrough; [Creating a Product](/products/creating-a-product.md) is the full field reference. ### Step 2: Link a game server Connects your store to the server that delivers purchases. Without it, payments succeed and customers receive nothing. See [Game Servers](/integrations-and-commands/game-servers.md). ### Step 3: Set up payouts 1. Click **Setup Payouts** on the Payouts page. 2. Work through the wizard: your address (email, phone, postal), your payment method (PayPal, local bank transfer, or wire), your tax forms, then review and confirm. **Tipalti**, our payments partner, handles payout onboarding, so this step opens their form. [Tax Forms](/getting-started/tax-forms.md) covers which form applies to you; US recipients, individuals as well as companies, receive a 1099-K at year end. The rest is in [Setting Up Your Payout Account](/getting-started/payout-account.md). **PayPal payouts are only supported for USD stores.** On any other store currency, use local bank transfer or wire. ### Step 4: Verify your identity Upload your government-issued ID and any additional requested details. PayNow uses Stripe to run the check, which covers document verification, biometric verification and information validation. It is required to meet anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations, payment processing partner standards, and Visa/Mastercard compliance requirements. It usually completes quickly. This step only becomes available once payout onboarding is complete. ### Step 5: Store review PayNow reviews the store before it can sell. When every other requirement is met, the step becomes **Escalate to review** and you submit the store yourself; review can take up to several business days. ### Step 6: Enable live mode Once approved, use the **Enable Live Mode** button on the Onboarding page. Work through the [Going Live Checklist](/getting-started/going-live-checklist.md) first.