> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.spread.so/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Spread Quickstart Guide

> Spread is an email sending platform for companies for marketing, transactional, and product emails.

## Welcome to Spread!

Welcome to Spread! This onboarding guide will help you get started with Spread quickly and easily.

## What is Spread?

<img className="block dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/relate-fa98d7d/RlOaT3bWGiY4X4gA/images/hero-light.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=RlOaT3bWGiY4X4gA&q=85&s=7e50d37ac258333d1e40b70851fd9246" alt="Hero Light" width="6192" height="3243" data-path="images/hero-light.png" />

<img className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/relate-fa98d7d/RlOaT3bWGiY4X4gA/images/hero-dark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=RlOaT3bWGiY4X4gA&q=85&s=d5dda8656e7f39eabd24b74d72d53dfa" alt="Hero Dark" width="6192" height="3243" data-path="images/hero-dark.png" />

**Spread is a simple platform for sending business emails.** With Spread, you can perform the following tasks:

* Send marketing and product update emails to customers
* Send transactional emails to users (e.g. password reset emails)
* Write emails using a markdown editor
* Schedule emails to be sent at the exact time
* Manage and track email sending, opening, and clicking data
* Manage and segment different customer/subscriber lists

## 5 steps to get started

Follow the steps below to get started with Spread.

1. [Add a custom domain](/docs/domain)
2. [Import contacts](/docs/google-contacts-sync)
3. [Create a list and set recipients](/docs/lists-and-recipients)
4. [Compose and send your email](/docs/send-email)
5. [Analyze results and manage subscribers](/docs/metrics)

## 1. Add a custom domain

To send emails using a custom domain, you need to add your domain and verify ownership.

<Card title="Add a custom domain" icon="badge-check" href="domain">
  Learn how to add a custom domain and verify domain ownership.
</Card>

<Note>
  **Don't have a custom domain?**

  If you don't have a custom domain, you can use the `@spreadsend.com` domain provided by Spread team.
</Note>

## 2. Import contacts

To send emails, you first need to add your subscribers (contacts) to Spread. Spread provides the following methods:

* [Sync from Google Contacts](/docs/google-contacts-sync)
* [Upload an Excel/CSV file](/docs/import/ai-import)
* Manually add contacts
* Connect via API
* Connect via Relate CRM

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Google Contacts Sync" icon="address-book" href="/docs/google-contacts-sync">
    Learn how to automatically import contacts saved in Google Contacts.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Import" icon="file-import" href="/docs/import/ai-import">
    Learn how to import contacts by uploading an Excel/CSV file.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## 3. Create a list and set recipients

In Spread, you set email recipients **by 'list'**. Create a list from your contacts, then set that list as the recipient.

<Card title="Create a List and Set Recipients" icon="users" href="/docs/lists-and-recipients">
  Learn how to create a recipient list and set it as your email recipients.
</Card>

## 4. Compose and send your email

Create and send your first email campaign.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Choose an email sending method" icon="list-check" href="/docs/spread-email-types">
    Choose the sending method that fits your purpose — One-off Campaign, Triggered Campaign, or Sequence.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Compose and send an email" icon="paper-plane-top" href="/docs/send-email">
    Learn how to write and send an email using the markdown editor.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## 5. Analyze results and manage subscribers

Analyze your results after sending, keep your lists safe, and extend into a CRM.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Analyze email data" icon="magnifying-glass-chart" href="/docs/metrics">
    Learn how to manage and track email metrics including deliveries, open rates, and clicks.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Manage lists safely" icon="building-shield" href="/docs/manage-lists">
    Learn how to manage lists safely while protecting deliverability and domain reputation.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Turn subscribers into sales opportunities" icon="handshake" href="/docs/crm">
    Learn how to manage your Spread subscribers as customers.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>