Onboarding is the phase where most questions and issues tend to come up. Because Layout connects directly to Square and relies on existing data, small setup details can have a big impact on how the app behaves. Most onboarding issues are easy to resolve once you know where to look.
One of the most common onboarding issues is incomplete branding. Logos that are too small, improperly cropped, or not optimized for mobile can make the app feel unfinished. Taking time to upload high-quality branding assets and selecting a strong primary brand color greatly improves the first impression of the app.
Another frequent issue is catalog structure. Square catalogs that work well for in-store POS sometimes need minor adjustments for mobile ordering. Items without clear categories, confusing naming, or poorly structured modifiers can lead to a cluttered app experience. Reviewing your Square catalog from a customer’s perspective before launch helps avoid this.
Square connection issues can also slow down onboarding. If permissions are not fully granted during the OAuth flow, some data may not sync correctly. Reconnecting Square usually resolves these problems and ensures Layout has access to the necessary catalog and order data.
Location setup is another area where issues arise. Forgetting to enable a location in the Layout dashboard or enabling the wrong location can prevent orders from appearing or make the app seem empty. Double-checking location selection during setup is an important final step before launch.
Some businesses also rush to share their app before fully testing it. Placing a test order, reviewing modifier behavior, and checking order status updates in the panel can catch issues early and prevent confusion once customers begin using the app.
If onboarding feels overwhelming, taking it step by step helps. The setup wizard is designed to guide you through the process in the correct order, and progress is saved automatically so you can pause and return at any time.
Once onboarding is complete and your app is live, most businesses find Layout requires very little ongoing maintenance. Square remains the system of record, and Layout quietly keeps everything in sync.