There is no separate “turn on portal” switch. Access starts when the customer has a login email and an invite is sent.
Login identity = CRM contact email, or company email if contact is empty.
How invites go out
Trigger | What happens |
|---|---|
Create customer with a login email | Invite is scheduled |
Create order for that contact | May invite / notify (sometimes with an order link) |
Send / Resend portal invite on customer detail | Manual kick |
Invite email → activate link (about 7 days) → buyer sets password → signs in at the portal.
Already-active buyers get a sign-in style note, not a brand-new activation.
Staff setup checklist
Put a valid contact email on the customer.
Create the customer / place an order, or click Send portal invite.
Buyer opens activate → sets password → signs in.
Configure Settings → Payments if they should pay online.
Pro+: share order-status / production milestones when you use tracking.
Custom: set a custom domain so links hit your shop (see 05).
Do not mix invite types
Need | Where |
|---|---|
New employee | Users — Users & team |
New shop | Signup — Getting started |
New buyer | CRM invite → portal activate |
Self-signup on the portal is off (redirects to sign-in). Buyers must be invited.
Test with one trusted buyer account first — confirm invite email, activation, and a sample quote or proof before go-live.