We've created this 'Getting started' guide to help you set up your workspace, and then build on the basics. There are lots of ways to generate new leads in Intercom (but you don't need to cover them all right away to get started):

Help Desk to talk to your visitors and leads
​Messages for triggering automatic in-app, email and push messages
​Product Tours for guiding your customers to success
​
We also cover automating actions with:
​Basics and Workflows

1. Install the Messenger (Total time: 15 minutes)

Connect with leads on your website using the Intercom Messenger for visitors. Capture their information and qualify them automatically; letting you focus on more pressing tasks.
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​You'll need:
Access to your codebase (to add the JavaScript snippet)
Your Messenger installation code

​2. Forward support emails (Total time: 10 minutes)
Handle all incoming queries in one place by forwarding emails to the Intercom Help Desk.

You'll need:
Access to your support email
Your default Intercom inbound address

​3. Connect social media accounts (Total time: 5 minutes)
Connect your social media accounts to Intercom so your team can respond to all direct messages you receive via the Help Desk.

You'll need:
Login details for your social media accounts

​4. Invite teammates (Total time: 2 + minutes)
Work with your whole team in Intercom by inviting them to your workspace. Assign Inbox seats, manage permissions, measure team performance, and more.

You'll need:
​Help Desk (and a plan including permissions)
Your teammates' email addresses

​5. Set up office hours (Total time: 2 minutes)
Manage expectations by setting office hours, so visitors are never left waiting.

You'll need:
Your teams' availability 

​6. Create team inboxes (Total time: 5 minutes)
Create an inbox for each of your teams, so you can route conversations to the right people. 

You'll need:
Nothing!

​7. Import user data (Total time: 10 + minutes)
Already have a bunch of leads generated? Import them into Intercom so you can see and chat with them right away.

You'll need:
CSV file of lead data or access to Mixpanel or Mailchimp

1. Add apps to Messenger (Total time: 2 + minutes)

Personalize your Messenger with apps to nurture your visitors and leads. Let new leads request a demo from the Messenger or subscribe to your newsletter.

You'll need:
Nothing!

​2. Add apps to the Help Desk (Total time: 2 + minutes)
Create a customized Help Desk that connects all the tools you use to resolve conversations. Get more context on your conversations and take action with Help Desk apps.

You'll need:
Help Desk

​3. Create custom data (Total time: 15 + minutes)
​Create and track data that matters to your business.

You'll need:
Access to your codebase (to update the JavaScript snippet)
Intercom installed in your product
​Data you'd like to track

​4. Create custom qualification data (Total time: 5 + minutes)
Capture the data that matters most to you when qualifying new leads manually and automatically, with Operator.

You'll need:
An idea of what data matters to your business

​5. Set up task bots (Total time 5 + minutes)
Automatically qualify new leads with task bots, so your team can spend their time converting them into customers. 

You'll need:
Qualification data

🎉 Congratulations! Your Intercom workspace is set up and you're now ready to qualify more leads and close more deals.

Have a little more time?
​Here's just a small collection of some of our favorite sales-related articles and podcasts from our colleagues at Intercom

How to scale a global sales operations team

How to build your sales team sustainably | Scale | Inside Intercom

The Agile Arrow – a visual framework for managing complex sales deals