Shopify

Complete guide for onboarding Shopify merchants using pre-registration in Channel Dashboard

Overview

Shopify requires all channels to use single-merchant custom apps for merchant onboarding, replacing the previous channel-controlled app model. This requirement took effect January 2026. This guide explains how to onboard Shopify merchants using Violet's pre-registration feature.

Who This Guide Is For

  • Existing channels: Migrating from the previous Shopify integration approach

  • New channels: Setting up Shopify merchant onboarding for the first time

Both audiences follow the same process: pre-register merchants in the Channel Dashboard, then send them installation links.

What You'll Learn

  1. Prerequisites: Setting up your Shopify Partner Dashboard

  2. Pre-Registration Process: How to pre-register merchants before they begin installation

  3. Understanding Merchant Paths: Three merchant onboarding paths and when to use each

  4. Troubleshooting & FAQs: Common issues, questions, and recovery steps

Why This Change?

The Old Model (deprecated):

  • Channel created one custom app in Shopify Partner Dashboard

  • All merchants authorized the same app

  • Channel controlled app credentials and permissions

  • Less secure and gave merchants less control

The New Model (required):

  • Channel creates a single-merchant custom app in Shopify Partner Dashboard for each merchant

  • Channel pre-registers merchant with the app's unique credentials (Client ID, Secret, Install Link)

  • Merchant authorizes the app through a simple installation flow

  • Better security, auditing, and merchant control

This change gives merchants better security and control while simplifying the onboarding experience for your customers.

User Personas

Channel Operator

  • Managing Shopify merchant onboarding from Channel Dashboard

  • Goal: Pre-register merchants quickly, track onboarding progress, minimize manual work

  • Pain Point: Manual credential exchange is error-prone and creates support burden

Merchant

  • Received install link from channel partner

  • Goal: Complete connection in under 2 minutes without technical knowledge

  • Pain Point: Previous flow required understanding OAuth, API credentials, and multiple steps

Ready to get started? Head to Prerequisites to set up your Shopify Partner Dashboard.

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