# Violet Connect for Merchants

This guide walks you through connecting your e-commerce store to Violet Connect. You will complete this process yourself — your channel cannot do it on your behalf.

## Before You Begin

Have the following ready before starting:

* A store on a supported e-commerce platform (Shopify, BigCommerce, etc.)
* Your store credentials (API keys, tokens, etc.) — see your [platform guide](https://app.gitbook.com/o/4fIo3y35EjIdKNlJq07P/s/U56rBTO20v6lVxmGUVMK/) for what you'll need
* A bank account for payout setup
* Your agreed commission rate with the channel

{% hint style="success" %}
Use a team or mailing list email address (e.g. `team@yourcompany.com`) to create your merchant account. This keeps access manageable if the person who originally set it up leaves the company.
{% endhint %}

## Steps

1. **Enter your email address** to create your Violet merchant account. Use this same email to access your dashboard at [merchant.violet.io](http://merchant.violet.io).

   ![Violet Connect Login](https://2435497985-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZrOgj5n6PuU2r0Ya8Tzl%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ca7af3bf5f303cdb85fbb5b88a46bd42752d2f40%2Fvc_login.png?alt=media)
2. **Select your e-commerce platform.** Choose the platform your store is hosted on. Each platform has different credential requirements.

   <div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="info" class="hint hint-info"><p>Shopify merchants who have been pre-registered by their channel may skip this step automatically.</p></div>

   ![Violet Connect platform selection screen](https://2435497985-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZrOgj5n6PuU2r0Ya8Tzl%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3ab360e719a477d1ea6d7742fd2f2a74e2f87d34%2Fvc_platforms.png?alt=media)
3. **Enter your store URL.**

   <div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="info" class="hint hint-info"><p>Pre-registered Shopify merchants: your store URL will be pre-filled.</p></div>

   ![Store URL entry screen](https://2435497985-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZrOgj5n6PuU2r0Ya8Tzl%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-b6253747165f3f82b27940534496e4d31c6927d4%2Fvc_store_url.png?alt=media)
4. **Enter your store credentials.** Your [platform guide](https://app.gitbook.com/o/4fIo3y35EjIdKNlJq07P/s/U56rBTO20v6lVxmGUVMK/) shows where to find these in your store admin.

   <div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="warning" class="hint hint-warning"><p><strong>Shopify merchants:</strong> If you were pre-registered, you'll see a "Connect to Shopify" button instead. When installing the app, leave "Embed app in Shopify admin" unchecked.</p></div>

   ![Credential entry screen](https://2435497985-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZrOgj5n6PuU2r0Ya8Tzl%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-db9cf63b6fde840eccc543c2fc3692fe55abde44%2Fvc_creds.png?alt=media)
5. **Set up your payout account.** Select the country your bank account is in. You'll be routed to Stripe to connect your account and complete identity verification.

   ![Payout account setup screen](https://2435497985-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZrOgj5n6PuU2r0Ya8Tzl%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-d45ed3da882164bff0cbdf27ca7bc3b6c3dab9ca%2Fvc_payouts.png?alt=media)

   Learn more: [Stripe KYC Guide](https://docs.violet.io/prism/payments/payouts/guides/stripe-kyc-guide)
6. **Select your commission rate.** This rate applies to orders placed through the channel's app and should match what you've agreed on with them.

   ![Commission rate selection screen](https://2435497985-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZrOgj5n6PuU2r0Ya8Tzl%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-528455c633b6665df5dcffb6f67e70713ae713cc%2Fvc_add_commissions.png?alt=media) ![Commission rate set selection screen](https://2435497985-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZrOgj5n6PuU2r0Ya8Tzl%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-14db5057d4f69114d3ac0d1fff032daa63b8e723%2Fvc_set_commissions.png?alt=media)
7. **You're all set!** You'll be redirected to the channel's app to start selling.

   ![Completion screen](https://2435497985-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZrOgj5n6PuU2r0Ya8Tzl%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-dee0e87e6c4d644902907928e3f9323e9af55696%2Fvc_success.png?alt=media)

## Troubleshooting

**"Store URL Already Connected"** — If you need to update your credentials, sign in with the same email address you used when you first connected your store.