As an eCommerce software company that intends to expand in 2022, you should know the huge importance of API integration with shopping platforms. We've put together a complete API integration guide to help you through this process and provide you with valuable information about it.
Proper API integration is necessary for marketing automation, repricing, order & inventory management, and shipping management software providers to reach new markets and expand into new potential niches.
It will be almost impossible to operate and maintain your business functions without such integration. As a result, you won't be able to connect with your clients' e-stores and work directly with their products, customers, orders, shipments, etc. In addition, integrating your business with the APIs of leading shopping platforms enables you to expand your customer database and propose better functionalities to your clients.
What is the meaning of the API?
An application programming interface (API) is a set of protocols used by technology products and software solutions to interact with each other, requesting and sending info. The API enables a specific application program to interact with external services using simple, pre-determined commands.
Let's say you develop pricing software for store owners who sell their products online. An API enables you to access the customers' data stored on the different platforms they use, allowing you to manage it by your system. Mainly, you can retrieve information about the e-stores' prices, products, orders, etc.
The API can also help developers add specific functionalities to their applications, accelerate the development process and develop an environment that offers smooth data and seamless integrations.
In other words, an API allows two programs to cooperate with each other. The first program calls upon the second program’s API, accessing the required data.
API Requests and API Responses
The API infrastructure revolves around requests and the responses they produce. It is necessary to understand the essence of their work.
An API request is used when you need to get info from some system. For example, to retrieve order data from Shopify, you will use an API request. Also known as "sending a call," executing an API request lets you extract specific data using PUT, GET, POST, or DELETE methods. A data request, also known as the “body,” is required information returned by the server.
API response appears after sending an API request. Mostly, the response is in either XML or JSON format.
API response depends on the API request that has been made. Response to every request contains a unique type of data.
What is API Integration and its Role in the eCommerce Sphere?
In the eCommerce sphere, API integration is the creation of a connection between a specific software or app and the shopping platform. eCommerce software, such as warehouse management, marketing automation, and order inventory management software, needs to connect with Magento, Shopify, Ecwid, WooCommerce, PrestaShop, Etsy, etc.
When a connection is established, a software vendor can have access to information related to products, shipments, orders, customers, and prices stored on an eCommerce platform.
After successful integration with eCommerce platforms, here are some benefits that your software providers can enjoy.
- Advance your business and deliver great services to end customers by getting the information you need and managing it properly.
- Expand your customer database by integrating with multiple platforms.
- Implement new functionalities and improve service quality to meet your clients' specific needs.
- Make more profit in the long run and establish your brand as reliable in the eyes of existing and promising customers.
How to Develop API Integration with eCommerce Platforms?
To take advantage of all the benefits listed above, your company must establish a robust API integration with as many shopping platforms and marketplaces as possible.
Because each shopping platform has its architecture and logic, bespoke integration methods must be used when connecting with them. For example, integrating your system with a Shopify platform is different from integrating it with Magento.
Manual integration with each platform has many drawbacks, such as:
- Huge costs
- Difficulties associated with the infrastructure of each platform
- Fixed maintenance costs
- Manual integration requires qualified developers with technical experience in integrating APIs with Magento 2, WooCommerce, Shopify and other popular platforms
- Security threats are always present.
A third-party integration solution such as API2Cart allows to easily integrate with 40+ eCommerce platforms simultaneously, using up to 100 API methods to manage data.
Try API2Cart absolutely for free for 30 days, and see how it works for you.