GETTING STARTED

AcquisitionSuite Getting Started Guide

Last updated August 12, 2026 · 8 min read

Welcome to AcquisitionSuite, a WordPress platform for capturing leads, delivering resources, and turning website visitors into prospects and customers.

This guide will help you set up AcquisitionSuite and publish your first downloadable resource or lead capture form.

What You Can Do with AcquisitionSuite

AcquisitionSuite gives you the tools to:

  • Capture leads with customizable forms
  • Gate downloadable resources behind a form
  • Deliver files instantly or by email
  • Sell digital downloads
  • Create standalone forms for applications, registrations, enquiries, and other lead capture needs
  • Customize form appearance and behavior
  • Manage your leads and submissions
  • Customize your download and form emails

1. Install AcquisitionSuite

Install and activate AcquisitionSuite on your WordPress website.

There are two installation methods:

Method 1: Upload the plugin ZIP

Use this method if you purchased or downloaded the AcquisitionSuite ZIP package.

Go to:

WordPress Admin → Plugins → Add New Plugin → Upload Plugin

Upload the ZIP file, click Install Now, and then Activate Plugin.

Method 2: Install from WordPress

For the Lite edition, go to:

WordPress Admin → Plugins → Add New Plugin

Search for AcquisitionSuite, then click Install Now and Activate.

See How to Install AcquisitionSuite for detailed instructions.

2. Activate Your License

If you have a Solo, Growth, Pro, or Agency plan, activate your license after installation.

Go to:

AcquisitionSuite → License

Enter the license key provided after your purchase and click Activate License.

Once activated, your site can use the features and site activations included with your plan.

See How to Activate Your License for more information.

3. Configure Your Email Settings

If you want AcquisitionSuite to send download emails or form submission emails, configure your email settings.

Go to:

AcquisitionSuite → Settings → Email: Delivery

Delivery Mode

You can choose how download links are delivered.

Instant Download Only
The download link is shown immediately after the visitor submits the form. No email is sent.

Email Only (Recommended)
The download link is sent by email. The download link is not shown in the confirmation modal.

Both
The download link is shown immediately and also sent by email.

Sender Details

Configure:

  • From Name
  • From Email
  • Subject Line

Your “From” email should be configured to work with your website’s email delivery or SMTP setup.

You can also customize your email branding and templates under:

AcquisitionSuite → Settings → Email: Design & Template

4. Upload Your First File

The simplest way to get started is to upload a resource.

Go to:

AcquisitionSuite → Upload Files

Use the upload section.

Enter your file title

Give the resource a clear name.

For example:

The Small Business Growth Guide

Choose the file source

AcquisitionSuite supports two file sources:

Upload File
Upload the resource directly to your website.

External URL
Use a file hosted at an external URL.

Choose the download type

You can offer the resource as:

Free Download

or

Paid Download

5. Create a Free Download

For a free resource, select:

Download Type → Free Download

Then upload your file or provide the external URL.

Click:

Upload & Gate File

Your file is now available for use with AcquisitionSuite.

Examples of free resources include:

  • Ebooks
  • Checklists
  • Guides
  • Templates
  • Reports
  • Worksheets
  • PDFs

6. Create a Paid Download

AcquisitionSuite can also sell digital downloads.

Select:

Download Type → Paid Download

You can then configure the following:

  • Product Price
  • Currency
  • Payment Gateway
  • Download Expiry
  • Download Limit
  • Purchase Button Label
  • Payment Success Page

For example:

Price: $19
Currency: USD
Expiry: 24 hours
Download Limit: 3

A value of 0 can be used where the setting supports unlimited or never-expiring access.

Payment Success Page

After a successful purchase, you can choose where the customer is sent:

  • Default Success Screen
  • Custom Page
  • External URL

Use a custom or external success page when you need to run conversion tracking or send customers to a specific post-purchase experience.

7. Publish Your File Using the Default Form

You do not need to create a form before publishing a file.

This is the fastest way to get a download working.

After uploading your file, use its generated file shortcode:

[acquis_download id="X"]

Replace X with the ID of your uploaded file.

For example:

[acquis_download id="123"]

Paste the shortcode into a WordPress post or page.

AcquisitionSuite will automatically render the download experience using its default form.

Use this method when:

  • You want to launch quickly
  • The default form is sufficient
  • You don’t need additional custom fields
  • You want a simple lead magnet or download

The basic flow is:

Upload File → Copy File Shortcode → Paste into Page → Publish

8. Create a Custom File Access Form

If you need more control over the information you collect or the appearance of the form, create a custom File Access form.

Go to:

AcquisitionSuite → Form Builder → New Form

Enter your form name.

For example:

Free Business Growth Guide

Choose the purpose

Select:

File Access

A File Access form is designed to collect visitor information before providing access to a downloadable file.

You can then add and arrange the fields you need.

Available field types include:

  • Text
  • Email
  • Phone
  • Link
  • Number
  • Textarea
  • Dropdown
  • Radio
  • Checkbox
  • Date
  • Country
  • Hidden Field

For a basic lead magnet, you might only need:

Full Name + Email Address

9. Configure Your File Access Form

After adding your fields, open the form’s Settings.

You can configure:

Field Mapping

Tell AcquisitionSuite which fields contain the visitor’s:

  • Name
  • Email address

This allows AcquisitionSuite to correctly associate submissions with your leads.

Modal Appearance

Customize:

  • Modal Title
  • Subtitle
  • Header Colour
  • Title Colour
  • Subtitle Colour
  • Submit Button Label

Steps

You can create:

  • 1 step — single-page form
  • 2+ steps — multi-step form with progress

Use multi-step forms when you need to collect more information without presenting every field at once.

10. Select the File for Your Form

For a File Access form, select the file that should be delivered after submission.

This connects your form to the resource you uploaded earlier.

The resulting flow is:

Visitor → File Access Form → Submission → File Delivery

Depending on your email delivery settings, the visitor can receive the file immediately, by email, or both.

11. Choose How the Form Appears

AcquisitionSuite provides three display styles for forms.

Embedded

The form appears directly inside your page or post.

Use this when you want the form to be part of the page content.

Popup Modal

A button opens the form inside a popup.

Use this when you want to keep the page clean while allowing visitors to open the form when needed.

Floating Button

A floating button opens the form.

This can be useful when you want the call-to-action to remain visible while visitors browse the page.

12. Copy and Publish the Form Shortcode

After configuring your File Access form, AcquisitionSuite provides a shortcode for the form.

For example:

[acquis_form id="4" display="popup"]

Use the Copy Shortcode button to copy the actual shortcode generated for your form.

Paste it into your WordPress post or page.

The form will then render according to the settings you configured.

13. Create a Standalone Form

Not every form needs to deliver a file.

Use a Standalone Form to create forms for contacts, registrations, bookings, applications, enquiries, and other types of lead capture that don’t require a downloadable file.

Go to:

AcquisitionSuite → Form Builder →  New Form

Choose:

Purpose → Standalone Form

Standalone forms can be used for:

  • Applications
  • Registrations
  • Contact enquiries
  • Appointment requests
  • Surveys
  • Waitlists
  • General lead capture

You can configure the fields, appearance, steps, display style, and submission behavior just like a File Access form.

The difference is simple:

File Access Form → captures a lead in connection with a file.

Standalone Form → captures a lead without requiring a file.

14. Test Everything Before Publishing

Always test your setup before sending visitors to your page.

If you’re using a free download, check the following:

  • The file loads correctly
  • The form displays correctly
  • The visitor can submit the form
  • The lead is recorded
  • The download link works
  • Email delivery works if enabled

If you’re selling a download, also check:

  • The correct price is displayed
  • The correct currency is displayed
  • The payment gateway works
  • Payment completes successfully
  • The success page works
  • The download link works
  • Download limits and expiry behave as expected

If you’re using a custom form, check the following:

  • All fields display correctly
  • Required fields work
  • Name and email mapping is correct
  • The selected file is delivered
  • The selected display style works correctly
  • Emails contain the correct information

15. Your First AcquisitionSuite Setup

If you’re completely new to AcquisitionSuite, start with one simple resource.

Fastest setup

Upload File

Choose Free Download

Copy [acquis_download id="X"]

Paste into a WordPress page

Publish

AcquisitionSuite automatically provides the default form.

 

The best way to learn AcquisitionSuite is to start small: upload one resource, publish it, submit the form yourself, and verify the complete experience before building more advanced campaigns.

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