---
title: Setup Wizard Walkthrough
description: "The PetMatchPro Setup Wizard guides you through configuring the plugin in 13 steps. It launches automatically after activation, or you can restart it from the PetMatchPro admin settings. ## Step 1: License Activation Enter your license key and registration email…"
url: "https://petmatchpro.com/docs/setup-wizard-walkthrough/"
updated: "2026-10-26"
category: Getting Started
---

# Setup Wizard Walkthrough

The PetMatchPro Setup Wizard guides you through configuring the plugin in 13 steps. It launches automatically after activation, or you can restart it from the PetMatchPro admin settings.

## Step 1: License Activation

Enter your license key and registration email to activate your subscription. If you don't have a license yet, you can skip this step to use the Basic (free) tier.
 ![Setup Wizard Step 1 showing license key and registration email input fields](https://petmatchpro.com/wp-content/uploads/setup-wizard-step-1.png)

## Step 2: Partner & API

Select your shelter management system and enter your API credentials:

- **PetPoint** -- Enter your API key
- **AnimalsFirst** -- Enter your API key (and optionally select an API source)
- **RescueGroups** -- Enter your API key and Organization ID

![Setup Wizard Step 2 with partner selection dropdown and API key field](https://petmatchpro.com/wp-content/uploads/setup-wizard-step-2.png)

## Step 3: Method Types

Choose which search types to enable for your site. Available methods depend on your partner and license tier:

| Method | Description | Availability |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Adopt** | Adoptable animals | All tiers, all partners |
| **Lost** | Lost animal reports | Junior+, PetPoint & AnimalsFirst |
| **Found** | Found animal reports | Junior+, PetPoint & AnimalsFirst |
| **List** | General animal list | Junior+, PetPoint only |
| **Preferred** | Featured/priority animals | Preferred tier, AnimalsFirst only |
| **Featured** | Featured carousel/display | Junior+, PetPoint & AnimalsFirst |

## Step 4: Field Configuration

Select which animal data fields to display in your search results and detail pages. Choose from preset field groups or customize your selection.
 ![Setup Wizard Step 4 showing animal data field selection checkboxes](https://petmatchpro.com/wp-content/uploads/setup-wizard-step-4.png)

## Step 5: Template Selection

Choose a search template and detail template for each enabled method type. The Basic tier includes default templates. Junior and Preferred tiers unlock additional layouts.
 ![Setup Wizard Step 5 with search template dropdown and layout preview](https://petmatchpro.com/wp-content/uploads/setup-wizard-step-5.png)

## Step 6: Page Creation

The wizard can automatically create WordPress pages with the correct shortcodes for your search and detail pages. You can also create pages manually later.

## Step 7: Messages

Configure user-facing messages such as the "no results found" text that displays when a search returns no animals.

## Step 8: Contact Info

Enter your organization's support email and contact information. This is used for the support link shown in error messages (when configured).

## Step 9: Performance

**Requires Junior license or higher.** Configure API caching to improve page load times. Set cache duration (TTL) for search results and detail pages.

## Step 10: Analytics & SEO

**Requires Preferred license.** Set up Google Analytics event tracking, SEO settings, JSON-LD structured data, and sitemap configuration.

## Step 11: Color Palette

The Colors tab is available to all license tiers, so every site can apply some level of brand customization. Individual color settings within the tab are gated by license: the Basic tier exposes a core set of color options, while Junior and Preferred tiers unlock additional controls for buttons, icons, overlays, and other UI elements. Settings above your tier appear disabled with an upgrade prompt.
 ![Setup Wizard Step 11 showing color picker fields for buttons, text, and background](https://petmatchpro.com/wp-content/uploads/setup-wizard-step-11.png)

## Step 12: License Summary

Displayed for Basic (free) tier users only. Shows a summary of your current license and what features are available at higher tiers.

## Step 13: Summary

Review all your configuration choices. Click **Complete** to save your settings and finish the wizard.
 ![Setup Wizard Step 13 summary page displaying all configuration choices with Complete button](https://petmatchpro.com/wp-content/uploads/setup-wizard-step-13.png)

## Tips

- You can go back to any previous step using the step navigation at the top.
- All settings configured in the wizard can be changed later in the PetMatchPro admin tabs.
- If you're unsure about a setting, use the default value -- you can always adjust it later.

## Next Steps

- [Connecting Your Shelter System](https://petmatchpro.com/docs/connecting-your-shelter-system/) -- Detailed API setup for each partner
- [Creating Your First Search Page](https://petmatchpro.com/docs/creating-your-first-search-page/) -- Get your search page live

 Setup Wizard Walkthrough ultima modifica:  2026-03-24T11:15:32-04:00 da PetMatchPro