Shopify is one of the popular platforms used by merchants to build their online stores on. According to Builtwith, more than 3 million retailers have created their websites based on this platform.
If you provide eCommerce software that automates some business processes for online store owners, then integration with Shopify API can bring a lot of benefits.
In this article, you will discover some key facts about the Shopify platform and Shopify API and about two ways to develop integration with it.
About Shopify API
Shopify platform is among the most well-known brands in the eCommerce industry.
Shopify API is a framework that enables software suppliers to have access to information from Shopify-based online shops and utilize it for their needs. The API supports both JSON and XML formats and operates with HTTP requests such as GET, POST, PUT and DELETE.
Methods provided by Shopify API are an intriguing problem worth considering because it interacts with a variety of entities such as Customer, Category, Product, Order, and so on. You can find them in the APIs and references section at the bottom of Shopify documentation. Each entity has certain features and objectives for which it can be utilized.
Shopify constantly updates its API. So, SaaS application vendors that want to interact with Shopify should be aware of this. They must constantly check whether Shopify API versions are relevant. Else the API connection would be inconsistent and unreliable.
Shopify Order API
Any B2B software used by online merchants must work with specific eCommerce data to offer the required functionality to their customers. For example, multi-channel software needs to work with order-related data to manage and track customer orders across multiple sales channels. Accessing order data also allows such systems to synchronize inventories across different platforms, update order statuses, generate up-to-date orders related to orders, and more.
Shopify order API allows creating, retrieving, updating, and deleting orders placed in Shopify online stores. Namely, using its API, it is possible to work with orders in the following way:
- create an order
- retrieve a list of orders
- retrieve a specific order
- retrieve an order count
- update and delete an order
Shopify Product API
A lot of eCommerce software also depends on product data stored on online websites. For example, having access to product data, PIM systems can provide the functionality related to syncing product data, creating product catalogs, providing accurate analytics, etc.
Any inventory management software should get and manage product info to create up-to-date reports and track the inventory situation in real-time, thus preventing order failure and loss of products.
Shopify product API allows working with products, product variants, and images. It provides API methods to do the following:
- create a new product
- retrieve a list of products
- retrieve a specific product
- retrieve a count of products
- update and delete a product
Shopify API Integration Benefits
Shopify integration is the process of establishing a connection between the B2B eCommerce system and the Shopify platform. Below are the main reasons why you should develop this integration.
Expand your client base
About 3.7 million live websites are based on its platform. When you develop a Shopify integration, you have the option to connect to all Shopify online stores. These are your potential customers, and when you promote your software after integration with advanced functionality, they can become your regular customers.
Expand your market share
Shopify is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms in the world. It is well-known in 175 countries worldwide. When you develop the integration of your software and Shopify API, you have the opportunity to expand your solution to international markets.
Access Shopify store data
With the integration of Shopify, software vendors have many advantages. For B2B software to work effectively, perform its core functionality, and provide enhanced functions to online store owners, it must have access to store data. To work with and manage Shopify store data, you need to implement an integration with this platform.
Add a new competitive feature to your system
As a SaaS solution vendor, you need to provide your customers with modern and competitive services. The competition is fierce, and other software vendors will continue to work to provide more valuable features. Once your customers turn to your competitors, there is no chance that they will buy from you. That's why it's important to upgrade your software with advanced features, which is also possible with Shopify integration. Using integration, you get the data you need to enable software to perform its core functions, gaining an edge over its competitors.
Beat your competitors
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, if your competitors provide customers with the necessary features of their software, you will face business losses. To overcome this situation, you need to add to your software features that your customers will find most beneficial. This can be achieved through Shopify integration.
Increase your income
When you work with more customers, present your services to more people, and expand your business internationally, you will eventually increase your profits. As your business becomes more popular around the world, more and more people will learn about your services and, therefore, will turn to you for a SaaS solution.
Why Is It Complex to Integrate With Shopify API
Each eCommerce platform has its unique architecture, and each integration brings its distinct collection of challenges. As a result, shopping platform integration is among the most difficult tasks for any SaaS software vendor. The Shopify platform is no exception.
Here are some challenges you may encounter:
- Some specific technical obstacles are not documented in the Shopify documentation;
- API integration requires extensive technical knowledge of the latest trends in API building;
- Finding a highly skilled developer who can develop the integration is one of the biggest challenges. There are also several issues related to data security, API misuse, data breaches, and losses that can affect a company's reputation and finances, not to mention the harm to end-users;
- Data breach methods are becoming more sophisticated, so a poor integration can become a major problem;
- Even when the integration is successfully completed, it's not the end of the story, as further upgrades and maintenance are required, constantly taking up time and resources.
Shopify API Integration Development
Considering the number of difficulties associated with the process, establishing Shopify API integration is difficult. Nevertheless, there are two approaches to building this integration.
In-house integration development
With this option, you'll require an in-house programming team to develop the integrations. But first, you must seek out skilled developers, recruit them, and educate them for the task. Furthermore, because integrations are complicated, time-consuming, and expensive, you will wind up paying a substantial amount of money to create a single integration.
Third-party integration development
Another option for establishing a smooth API integration is to use a third-party solution. It lets you link your software to numerous eCommerce platforms without investing significant time, resources, or effort. All additional upgrades and modifications are handled by the service supplier. All you need to do is purchase the subscription and write integration with such a solution.
Shopify API integration is one of the most prioritized integrations your software should have. It will help you significantly increase your customer base and expand your market share.
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