At STRATAFOLIO, we strive to make the onboarding process as easy and efficient as possible for our customers. As you may suspect, onboarding requires extensive information exchange. To best facilitate this exchange of information in a secure environment, we use Google Cloud Drive.
IMPORTANT NOTE: To upload files to the Google Cloud Drive, your email must be associated with a Google account. Without it, you will be able to view files on the Google Drive, but you won’t be able to add files. Steps to verify that your email is associated with a Google account are below.
Invitation to Collaborate
Shortly after your onboarding kick-off meeting, we will send you an invitation to collaborate via email. The email will be sent by one of our Onboarding Specialists via Google Drive. In it, you will find a link to a shared Google Drive folder where you can upload onboarding files.
TIPS
- Watch your email for the invitation to collaborate, as the link in the invitation must be used within a limited time period.
- If you don’t receive this invitation, be sure to check your spam email folder and add STRATAFOLIO.com to your trusted contacts.
- Bookmark this folder! Once you open the STRATAFOLIO shared folder in your Google Drive, bookmark it or add it to your favorites, as you will be coming back to it frequently during the onboarding process.
When you receive the e-mail, simply select the blue Open button and follow the prompts to verify your account and connect to your STRATAFOLIO folder on Google Drive.
Verify Your Email is Associated with a Google Account
Prior to beginning the Onboarding process, it is helpful to verify that your email is associated with a Google account. You probably already have a Google account if:
- You use an Android smartphone or tablet.
- You have a Gmail account.
- You use Google for email, a calendar, or if you use the Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets, etc.
To verify that the email you are using with STRATAFOLIO is connected to a Google account, enter your email address at this link: Google Account Recovery.
Email IS Linked to Google
If the email is associated with a valid Google account, you will see something like this:
If your email IS associated with a Google account, you are all set! STRATAFOLIO will send you an email with a link to collaborate on Google Drive after your first Onboarding meeting.
Email IS NOT Linked to Google
If the email is not associated with a valid Google account you will see something like this:
If your email IS NOT associated with a Google account, you will need to sign up for a new @gmail.com email address or link your current email address to a Google account.
Create a Google Account
If your email is not linked to Google, you can sign up for a new email or link your existing email address.
NOTE: When linking your email to a Google account, you may see a pop-up indicating it is currently in use. You may encounter this message if you have ever accessed the Google Drive as a Visitor (with view-only access). Read on to find the workaround.
For instance, you may have selected the link in the Invitation to Collaborate, but your email is not associated with a Google account. Google will log you in as a Visitor and allow you to view the Google Drive. However, you are not allowed to add or edit files as a visitor.
Option 1: Sign Up for a New @gmail.com Email Address
To create a new Google account with a @gmail.com email address, head to this link: Create Your Google Account. Enter the required information and follow the prompts.
Option 2: Link a Current Email Address to a Google Account
To connect your current email to a Google account, head to this link Create Your Google Account then follow the link for Use my current email address instead.
Follow the prompts to set up your Google account.
Once you have completed setting up your Google account, try the link in the Invitation to Collaborate (see above). If you cannot access the STRATAFOLIO folder, email your Onboarding Specialist and ask them to resend the link.
NOTE: If you have ever connected to Google as a Visitor with your email address, after you verify your email address, you will get a message that says your email address is currently in use. If you get this message, continue to the steps below.
How to Bypass the Email is Currently in Use Message
After verifying your email address, if you receive a pop-up that says your email is currently in use, it means you previously connected to Google Drive as a visitor, and Google has you logged in with a visitor session.
To delete this visitor session and continue creating a Google account with your existing email, choose NEXT and follow the prompts to permanently delete the visitor session for your email address.
Once your visitor session is deleted, continue following the prompts to enter your information and accept the terms and conditions. When you are finished creating your account, Google will take you to a Welcome page.
After you have completed setting up your Google account, ask your Onboarding Specialist to resend the Invitation to Collaborate.
