What is API Integration with Examples?
To expand and grow, eCommerce software and app companies need to integrate their solutions with third-party shopping platforms. We have created this guide to help you learn how to implement shopping platform API integration.
When you provide marketing automation, repricing, order and inventory management, shipping software, etc., that supports API integration with multiple shopping platforms, you can reach new markets and expand into new potential niches.
Integration with eCommerce APIs is crucial for any software solution that wants to be successful. Without integration, you would not be able to do business with clients’ e-stores or interact with their data. By integrating your software with the APIs of the main shopping platforms, you can offer better functionalities to your clients and expand your customer number.
API Definition
An Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of protocols used by software solutions and technology products for interacting with each other. An API allows a specific application to interact with external services using a set of simple commands.
To make it easier to understand, let’s say you provide software for eCommerce shop owners who sell their products online using various shopping platforms. An application programming interface (API) enables you to access the data stored by these platforms so that you can manipulate it by your system. In other words, you can pull information connected to an e-store’s prices, products, orders, and so on via API.
Developers can use the API to add functionality to their applications and build a platform where data can be easily integrated.
The Meaning of API Requests and API Responses
The API infrastructure revolves entirely around requests and responses to data. It is essential to understand how this system works.
When you add an endpoint to an URL and do a call to the server, you are making an API request. An API request is most commonly used to retrieve data from another source. For example, if you need to retrieve order data from Shopify, you can use an API request.
An API request is used to pull specific information from a database, and it uses methods such as PUT, GET, POST, or DELETE. The data request is known as the “body,” and it is required information returned by the server.
After sending an API request, you usually receive a response. The response is usually in XML or JSON format.
An API response depends on the type of request you make. Each request will return different data as a response.
The Specifics of an API Integration in the eCommerce Sphere
In the context of eCommerce, API integration refers to the process of connecting a software or app with an eCommerce platform. Software companies that deal with warehouse management, marketing automation, order, and inventory management need to connect with platforms such as Magento, Shopify, Ecwid, WooCommerce, etc.
When a connection is established, software providers can access valuable information related to products, shipments, orders, customers, and prices stored on an eCommerce platform. As a result of their newfound access, software providers can take advantage of perks and benefits.
When you integrate your eCommerce software with shopping platforms, you can retrieve and manage all the information you need to stay ahead of the competition and provide superior services to customers. Integrating with multiple platforms will expand your customer database, giving you more opportunities to reach new prospects and existing customers alike. This will increase profits in the long run. By establishing yourself as a trustworthy brand, prospects will be more likely to use your software.
How to Build an API Integration with eCommerce Platforms?
By integrating your software with as many shopping platforms as possible, you can take advantage of all the previous benefits for your company.
However, integrating your software with different shopping platforms can be difficult. For example, integrating with Shopify is different from integrating with Magento because every platform has its own architecture and logic.
Manual integration with each shopping platform has many disadvantages, including:
- Challenges related to each platform’s infrastructure
- Huge costs included
- Continual integration maintenance costs
- When integrating with an API, it is important to use skilled developers who have technical expertise in API integrations
- Security threats are ever-present
API2Cart, a third-party eCommerce API integration solution, allows you to connect your software with 40+ shopping platforms and marketplaces at once. With this service, you can use up to 100 API methods to manage data. You can try API2Cart free of charge for 30 days and see how well it works for your business.
