Understanding Merchant Paths

There are three ways a merchant can complete installation, depending on which link you send them. All paths result in a fully connected store.

Path 1: Pre-Constructed Violet Connect Link (Recommended)

This is the flow when you send the Violet Connect link with the merchantId parameter pre-filled.

When to use: For all new merchants (default recommended path)

Merchant Experience:

1. Merchant receives your email/Slack with Violet Connect link

2. Merchant clicks link → Violet Connect landing page

3. Merchant enters email and receives verification code

4. Merchant sees confirmation screen showing their store details (store name, store URL)

5. Merchant clicks "Connect to Shopify" button

6. Shopify authorization page appears

7. Merchant clicks "Install app" in Shopify

8. Merchant returns to Violet Connect and completes setup

9. Done! Store is connected and moves to Connected Merchants tab

Why this is recommended:

• Fewest merchant steps required

• Store details pre-filled (no manual entry)

• Fastest onboarding path (under 2 minutes)

• Most error-free (no URL entry mistakes)

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Path 2: Standard Violet Connect Link (Store URL Lookup)

This is the flow when you send a standard Violet Connect link (no merchantId), but the merchant is pre-registered.

When to use: If you prefer using your existing Violet Connect link instead of merchant-specific links

Merchant Experience:

1. Merchant receives your standard Violet Connect link

2. Merchant clicks link → Violet Connect landing page

3. Merchant enters email and receives verification code

4. Merchant selects "Shopify" as their platform

5. Merchant enters their store URL (e.g., acme.myshopify.com)

6. Violet detects pre-registration and shows "Store Found" confirmation

7. Merchant clicks "Connect to Shopify" button

8. Shopify authorization page appears

9. Merchant clicks "Install app" in Shopify

10. Merchant returns to Violet Connect and completes setup

11. Done! Store is connected and moves to Connected Merchants tab

How it works: Violet looks up the pre-registration by matching the store URL merchant enters

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Path 3: Direct Shopify Install Link

This is the flow when you send the Shopify install link directly (bypassing Violet Connect).

When to use: When merchant prefers Shopify-first authorization, or for testing Shopify-first flows

Merchant Experience:

1. Merchant receives Shopify install link

2. Merchant clicks link → Shopify authorization page

3. Merchant clicks "Install app" in Shopify (Shopify OAuth happens first)

4. Shopify redirects back to Violet Connect

5. Violet detects the OAuth completion and prompts merchant to authenticate

6. Merchant enters email and receives verification code

7. Merchant completes any remaining setup in Violet Connect

8. Done! Store is connected and moves to Connected Merchants tab

Key difference: In this flow, Shopify OAuth happens BEFORE Violet authentication (opposite of Paths 1 & 2)

This flow requires the merchant to complete OAuth in Shopify first, followed by Violet authentication. Not recommended for most cases due to extra steps.

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What Happens Behind the Scenes

After the merchant completes installation through any of the three paths, Violet automatically handles the technical details:

1. OAuth Completion: Violet receives confirmation from Shopify that merchant authorized access

2. Credential Exchange: Violet securely exchanges OAuth credentials with the Client ID and Client Secret you provided during pre-registration

3. Tab Movement: Merchant automatically moves from "Pre-Registered" tab to "Connected Merchants" tab

4. Onboarding Complete: Merchant can now use their integrated store through your channel

You don't need to handle any technical OAuth details — Violet manages the entire handshake process using the credentials you provided during pre-registration.

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Have issues? Check out Troubleshooting & FAQs for common problems and solutions.