# Connecting stores

When you want to perform an export from one store to another with Duplify, you first need to connect your stores. It's important to understand the terminology for which store is which:<br>

* **Source store**: The store where your data currently exists. This is the store you want to export from.
* **Destination store**: The store where you want the data copied to. This is the target store.

To connect your stores, you copy a unique [**store key**](/using-duplify/connecting-stores/your-store-key.md) from the destination store and paste it into the export flow in the source store. This process links the two stores and allows Duplify to transfer data securely.

This guide walks you through the steps in detail, making it easy to connect stores correctly and avoid errors.

## In this section

* [Connecting stores](/using-duplify/connecting-stores.md)
  * [Before you start](#before-you-start)
  * [Step 1: Prepare the destination store](#step-1-prepare-the-destination-store)
  * [Step 2: Configure the source store](#step-2-configure-the-source-store)
* [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting)

***

## Connecting stores

Learn how to link your **source store** and **destination store** in Duplify so you can export data between them.

### Before you start

* Make sure Duplify is installed on both your source and destination stores.
* Open **both stores in separate browser tabs**: one for the source store and one for the destination store.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip**

Destination and source store terminology is important to understand for a successful export. Review the definitions before you start:

* **Destination store**: The store where you want the data copied to. This is the target store.
* **Source store**: The store where your data currently exists. This is the store you want to export from.
  {% endhint %}

### Step 1: Prepare the destination store

1. Switch to the **destination store** tab.
2. From the Duplify dashboard, under **New store connection**, click **Destination store (import data)**.
3. Under **This store's key**, click **Copy** beside the key.

### Step 2: Configure the source store

1. Switch to the **source store tab**.
2. From the Duplify dashboard, under **New store connection**, click **Source store (export data)**.
3. Under **Destination store’s key**, paste the store key into the appropriate field.
4. Click **Connect**.

If the connection is successful, you're taken to the export page, where you can select the data to export and complete your subscription. For detailed instructions, see [Exporting data](/using-duplify/exporting-data.md) and [Pricing and plans](/getting-started/pricing-and-plans.md).

***

## Troubleshooting

If you’re having trouble connecting your stores, then try the following tips:

#### Verify the destination store

If the store key is correct, the store key field turns purple and the **Connect** button becomes clickable.&#x20;

#### Common connection errors

If you see an error during the connection process:

1. **Copy the correct store key** from the **destination store**. Do not use the source store key.
2. **Check for extra spaces** in the store key field. Remove any spaces at the beginning or end.
3. If the error persists, contact Duplify Support via the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the app page.


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