5 Reasons why API Integrations with Shopify are a MUST in today’s eCommerce

As Shopify Experts, we know Shopify is one of the largest if not the largest eCommerce framework in 2020. Two facts that anchor your business into perspective using this framework – your eCommerce store is at the center of your business, and its data is key to all of its workings. Your ability to manage, grow, and promote your business is all based on the services that you associate, communicate, or translate to do your bidding. Shopify has a lot of tools within its framework, yet, it does not encompass everything your business may require. These services that are not within your eCommerce store are most likely available to you via API Integrations which our Shopify Developers have the capability of building.

API Integrations

Integrations are connections between two systems (ex. Two cloud systems like Shopify and QuickBooks). These connections have protocols that will take information from one system to another system, translating the information to a different order/logic such that the other system can make sense of it and can operate/take action on it. Where one system is specialized for eCommerce and another, in this case, is specialized in Finance and reporting. This connection is usually packaged as an APP and will be found in the Shopify App Store.

Reason 1: Time Saving/Resource Saving

Imagine having to enter an order placed in your Shopify Store and having to duplicate that order into QuickBooks for every order that comes through? The time it would take as your business scales up would be hard to justify when a tool is available that can automate that process.

Reason 2: Data Error and Duplicate entries

With manual data entry, you are liable to make errors in entering the exact same order into the system. Automation has data transfer that is more robust in duplicating without errors and avoiding double entries of the same order. Using the QuickBooks example again, it is important that your reporting is accurate and up to date without errors.

Reason 3: Real-time data

With the data streaming from one system to another and being able to perform analysis if your store’s data trends, additional information is being presented to your decision making. Things like price sensitivity (customer demand changes) due to a promotion of a product/category, or compound seasonality demand with a bundled promotion and how much product you must have on hand to get your sales strategy in place. Real-time data allows you to make more complex decisions to run your business more effectively, and with greater efficiency.

Reason 4: Data integrity and validation

Data is dynamic in your store, with changes that can occur for various reasons (out of stock and product substitutions, bundled product changes, returns, and promotional gifts) within an order. Changes to order have downstream effects on your inventory, your finances, and your reporting. As these changes occur, the integrations take note of the changes and update their various systems/records. Inevitably when these changes happen discrepancies can show up in another system that did not reconcile the change correctly – this can happen with the systems not being in synch correctly where one product is declared on one system but not another. Data validation is what keeps you confident that what you base your decisions for your business strong – the better the integration, the more intelligent and informative the data issue is explained.

Reason 5: Collaboration

If your accountant uses QuickBooks, they will definitely be happy to work with you on your books. Providing the right format to your accountant is crucial for their work to be performed with efficiency. Your ability to collaborate with partners as a shopkeeper is key as you deliver actionable information for them to act upon. Integrations with your logistics partners that automatically communicate to your customers on their packages being delivered are just as important. Data flows tied to accountability make eCommerce more reliable and predictable in its transactions and its ability to deliver.

Conclusion:

While Shopify as an eCommerce platform is extremely powerful, a business relies on additional systems to operate efficiently with its customers and partners. API Integrations to other systems give you that data flow you will need to be successful in managing your business. If there are challenges that you see in your business model and need to consult with our experts on system integration, please speak with one of our Shopify Experts today at (US) +1 305-762-0130, via Twitter @thegenielab or by E-mail wish@thegenielab.com.

More information can be found at Shopify Integrations and API Implementations