Since SaaS apps and services can only access data from stores if connected to the platform they are based on, they integrate with them. One of the most popular shopping platforms among online sellers is Shopify. To get access to the online stores built on this platform, software vendors need to connect to its API. The Shopify API helps them to manage the various types of store data for their needs.
Shopify is one of the leading eCommerce platforms. This platform currently runs more than 1 million online stores with no less than $7 billion worth of sales. It is highly popular in the United States (921,000+ e-stores), the United Kingdom (49,000+ e-stores), Australia (38,000+ e-stores), and Canada (29,000+ e-stores). It sounds like a good customer bank for B2B software vendors that help merchants organize and get more out of their online stores, and it is basically what it is.
In this article, we are going to explore all the details connected with the API of Shopify. Also, we will discover how to implement Shopify API integration.
What is Shopify API?
Shopify API is a group of tools and protocols used to communicate with Shopify stores programmatically. Through its API, developers can reach and manage different parts of a store, including but not limited to the products, orders, customers, etc. This makes the development of unique functionalities and integration for enhancement in the Shopify experience possible, as well as automating processes and even creating unique integrations. APIs, short for Application Programming Interfaces, make it easy to communicate between different applications. Services may integrate with one another without having to worry about what is happening internally. The Shopify API accepts both XML and JSON and is compatible with GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE HTTP methods.
It has categories, customer, order, and product, each performing a unique function and thus possessing specific properties. Shopify’s API is updated regularly, and developers working on third-party SaaS applications must keep their versions current to ensure that they have the latest version so that they can work smoothly. For instance, in April 2020, Shopify changed page-based pagination to cursor-based pagination in API versions 2019-07 and later, which presented challenges to app developers who work with store data.
What is Shopify API Integration?
Shopify API integration is the connection of any SaaS application with the Shopify platform. This is highly important for software providers who will offer their services to the online retailers using Shopify in selling their products.
With improper Shopify API integration, no software provider can help an e-store owner streamline and automate their online retail operation.
For example, if you have shipping software for e-retailers and wish to import orders from Shopify stores, you need to create a connection with the platform. Without this connection, you will not be able to filter orders by certain criteria, create shipments, or update order statuses.
Shopify API integration has many benefits for eCommerce software vendors. They can reach a wider audience of e-store owners and, hence, increase their market share by many folds because Shopify is used worldwide. It also helps improve the functionality of their software, which leads to increased sales and further business opportunities.
Key Benefits of Shopify API
Utilizing Shopify API has a number of advantages for your business:
- Automated Processes: You can automate processes such as inventory management, order fulfillment, and customer support by taking advantage of Shopify API power, thus saving time and reducing manual errors.
- Data Accessibility: The API allows access to a rich data set of your Shopify store, including products, orders, customers, and so much more. Such data can be used for reporting, analysis, and even creating personalized experiences for your customers.
Types of Shopify APIs
Shopify provides various types of APIs to suit different business needs. Here are the three main types:
- REST Admin API
- Storefront API
- Shopify Ajax API
1. REST Admin API:
This is the most widely used API for managing data in a Shopify store. It enables developers to interact with a variety of store resources, such as products, customers, orders, and inventory. The REST Admin API is suitable for integrating with backend systems and automating management tasks in the store.
2. Storefront API:
This API is used to develop custom storefronts and mobile apps. This enables developers to develop custom shopping experiences in their apps, including retrieving product information, handling checkout, and processing orders. It’s excellent for creating custom front-end solutions that interact with a Shopify store.
3. Shopify Ajax API:
This API is mainly used for making asynchronous requests to Shopify stores from the front end. The developers can build interactive and dynamic user experiences without the page reloading, such as adding products to the cart, updating the cart, and managing customer sessions.
Every API serves a unique purpose and is essential for different aspects of store management and customization.
API Access Token
Access tokens in Shopify are pieces that must be used while authenticating and authorizing third-party applications to access your Shopify store’s data through its API. This ensures that the application follows standards of security in Shopify and, in turn, helps protect sensitive data from your store.
The third-party application, however, must request permission to access Shopify store’s data from the owner of the store. This requires the owner of the store to authenticate the app through Shopify’s OAuth system. When permission is granted by the owner, Shopify issues an access token to the application. In this case, the access token will act as a key that will be used for the application to interact with the data of the store, and only to the permissions granted by the owner.
How to Integrate with Shopify API?
To integrate with the Shopify API, you will need to write code that interacts with the API endpoints.
Step-by-Step Integration Process
The process of integrating your application with the Shopify API can be rather intimidating if one’s background or experience has been in just frontend development with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. But all it takes to make things much more palatable is proper guidance; hence, below is an outline of steps to aid you in navigating through it seamlessly.
1. Open Shopify Developer account
Register for a free Shopify developer account first since this account will serve as your central base station for the management and building of applications; therefore, through this, you will gain easy access to Shopify APIs and tools.
2. Set Up a Custom Application
Within your developer account, create a new application and obtain your API credentials, including an API key and API secret. These credentials will allow your application to securely communicate with Shopify’s platform.
3. Familiarize Yourself with Webhooks and App Bridge
Learn how to use Shopify’s webhooks to monitor events like order creation or customer updates. Also, get acquainted with Shopify’s App Bridge to build embedded apps that integrate smoothly within the Shopify admin interface.
4. Implement OAuth for Authentication
Shopify uses OAuth for secure authorization. Understand how to implement OAuth to ensure that your application has the necessary permissions to interact with a Shopify store and access required data.
5. Application Logic Development
Develop your central application logic, including API calls, responses from the API, handling responses, error management, processing data, and such, which is the technical backbone of any integration.
6. Testing and Deployment
Before launching your application, conduct thorough testing to check for any potential bugs or security issues. Once testing is complete and you’re confident in the app’s performance, deploy it and link it to your Shopify store.
Conclusion
The integration with the Shopify API allows SaaS providers and software vendors to offer added value and simplify the online store operations. With a connection to Shopify, companies can automate processes, get access to critical store data, and create customized solutions for e-retailers. The integration process includes setting up a developer account, setting up a custom app, implementing OAuth authentication, and developing the application logic. Updates and testing regularly are necessary for security and efficiency.
Embracing Shopify API integration opens global eCommerce doors and expands opportunities to provide more valuable solutions for both developers and store owners.
