# Set up your 2Checkout Account
After signing up for an account by filling in the form on the 2Checkout website, you can access the Merchant Control Panel, but before you can start selling with 2Checkout, you need to finalize a few more steps.
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The steps below apply to all accounts, including those using third-party services to connect to the 2Checkout platform.
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To use your 2Checkout account to sell goods and services, you need to request activation of your live account. To do this, you must first:
* Add a product/plan
* Generate a buy link and place a test order
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## Add your first product or plan
Product catalog management is one of the most important aspects of your online store. [This guide](https://verifone.cloud/docs/2checkout/Documentation/01Product-catalog/02Products_and_subscription_plans/01Mandatory_product_info/) will show you how to add the first product within your 2Checkout Merchant Control Panel. Our platform supports the creation of both electronic and [physical products](https://verifone.cloud/docs/2checkout/Documentation/Subscription-Billing/02Subscription-Packaging-and-Pricing/02Set-up-subscription-plans-for-physical-products/). Adding [shipping methods](https://verifone.cloud/docs/2checkout/Documentation/01Product-catalog/03Products_with_physical_delivery/Configure_shipping_methods/) will give you more control over your costs and income from tangible products.
You can add your products one by one, or do a [batch import via XML files](https://verifone.cloud/docs/2checkout/Documentation/01Product-catalog/Import-Export-product-and-pricing-data/Import_product_data_using_XML_files/).
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You can also receive payments from customers worldwide without the need to add catalog products. [ConvertPlus](https://verifone.cloud/docs/2checkout/Documentation/07Commerce/2Checkout-ConvertPlus/) enables you to pass the product information dynamically to the checkout page, either by using URL parameters or via your 2Checkout Merchant Control Panel.
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## Generate your first buy-link and place a test order
### Link your website to the 2Checkout ordering process
2Checkout offers different options for linking your website to your secure hosted 2Checkout order flows. The ConvertPlus buy-links trigger different order flows designed to suit a variety of business needs.
To see the different options available, go to **Setup** → [Generate links](https://secure.2checkout.com/cpanel/integration.php). To link your website to your 2Checkout ordering page, copy and paste the checkout links you’ve generated into the web page that will host the purchase button/link.
If you’re aiming to integrate other shopping cart applications with your 2Checkout account and take advantage of an integrated solution in order to provide a superior buying experience and receive worldwide payments, you can check the available options [here](https://verifone.cloud/docs/2checkout/Shopping-cart-integration/). Integrations with other shopping cart applications are available only for 2Checkout accounts that **handle their own tax and invoice management**.
### Place test orders
No matter what option you choose when setting up your products or subscription plans, or integrating the checkout process within your website, it is important to run tests to make sure the selected settings work flawlessly. Testing is the best way to make sure that the actual user experience is the one you want. It is also a way to test how 2Checkout notifies you about the different types of transactions.
Using the 2Checkout testing system you can replicate new acquisitions and trial purchase scenarios, as well as automatic renewals, trial conversions, manual renewals, and upgrades.
To generate a test link and place a test order using the [test billing information](https://verifone.cloud/docs/2checkout/Documentation/09Test_ordering_system/02Place-test-orders-from-the-Merchant-Control-Panel/), click [here](https://verifone.cloud/docs/2checkout/Documentation/09Test_ordering_system/02Place-test-orders-from-the-Merchant-Control-Panel/).
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## Request activation of your account
When you log into your account (until your application is approved), you will see a blue banner at the top of your account that says, **“Your account is currently in demo mode”**. Even though your account is in demo mode, everything is completely functional. You can set up products, renewals, and fulfillment or delivery information, as well as test and use all the other available features. This mode allows you to test your setup to make sure everything works as expected, prior to launching your 2Checkout store.
To finalize your account setup, so that your 2Checkout live transactions can be processed, you must **submit your application for approval**, as explained [here](https://verifone.cloud/docs/2checkout/Onboarding/Activate-and-set-up-your-2Checkout-account/).
The 2Checkout's underwriting team will review your application right away and will get in touch with you to either request additional information, if required, or notify you about the resolution.
Once your application is approved, your 2Checkout account is live and you can start using it to process real orders. Your [Dashboard](https://secure.2checkout.com/cpanel/) will continue to display sample data until you register your first real transaction.
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