Shopify API Integration

 Home /Shopify API

Overview


A common challenge with eCommerce websites is that when the site grows beyond capabilities of the default Shopify features it becomes increasingly difficult to handle operations. Then there will be a mandatory need to integrate with different applications that provide the required services. Like shipping providers, SMS gateways, products, customers and other systems. dJAX provides expert integration using Shopify API, SDKs and Notification frameworks. Integration with the required functionalities without any hassle for consistent growth in the e-commerce operation. Shopify’s API implements JSON to manipulate each API resource in isolation, providing a RESTful interface, and dJAX implements API to integrate a third-party application with the web shop. The Shopify App Store is great if a reliable application can be found that does exactly what is required, however, if the users have a different requirement or want to do something slightly different there is a need to develop a custom app and dJAX are the experts in developing it for meeting business requirements.



Integrate with any Business Application


Synchronise data such as orders, customers, products, custom objects to and from the database, ERP, CRM and marketing platforms. Graphically map Shopify data to any other data format, also the data can be imported and handled with Google BigQuery and visualised in Data Studio. Automate data exchange between the eCommerce platform and third-party APIs through Webhooks; Sync data with Xero, Salesforce, QuickBooks, Sage One or FreshBooks and also with on-premise applications or databases via Secure Agent.



How Shopify Integrations Work


There are five key integration points available with the platform for customized solutions. In most cases, you will end up using a combination of them to achieve the desired outcome.


Shopify API

Shopify API

This is the key integration point that allows to access all data within a store and create or modify a restricted set of data, and in 99% of the backend, integrations will be the core of the solution. The Shopify API is RESTful – which means that most other systems are able to communicate easily with the Shopify API.     


Webhooks

Webhooks

These are real-time notifications that can be sent from the to external systems to notify that an action has occurred e.g. a new order has been made, or a new customer been created. This is a very effective mechanism for real-time updates e.g. executing real-time order fulfilment or keeping customer data up to date in an external CRM.


Shopify JS Buy SDK

Shopify JS Buy SDK

This is a relatively new library that allows embedding the store on another website e.g. WordPress blog. The WordPress Shopify plugin that has been released within the last couple of weeks uses this SDK. Previously, the alternative to this was to redirect back to Shopify using the cart and line item properties.


Shopify Mobile Buy SDK

Shopify Mobile Buy SDK

This is similar to the JS SDK in terms of functionality and is available natively for both iOS and Android. Do any mobile integration with Shopify from a user perspective this is the library to use.


Queries & Segments

Hosted Payment SDK

This integration allows to use own hosted payment page and gateway to accept payments from customers, which is useful if you are using a gateway that has not been included into the current Shopify platform.


Depending on the integration chosen, this ends up working one of two ways:

  • For the JS and Mobile Buy SDKs, these are integrated directly into the website or app.
  • For the Shopify API, Webhooks and hosted payment SDK, these connect to a custom web app before connecting to the external system. dJAX commonly uses Laravel or its offshoot Lumen to facilitate this as they work well in a variety of situations and environments. You will need to obtain a separate hosting server for this custom web app and maintain it as a separate web application.

As the store matures, dJAX generally provides expert integration with out of the box solutions. A custom web app is generally the best way to go about achieving more complex integration with external systems and enhancement to the base platform and can offer a lot of power and flexibility to extend your store. dJAX noticed a few patterns in the problems Shopify owners face in recent times. Our digital solutions give an idea of what can be achieved, including third-party logistics integrations, custom pricing tiers based on a subscription membership system and SMS notifications to customers for easy reordering.

Why choose eCommerce Store API Integration by dJAX


Time and Cost Saving

Time and Cost Saving

Being a managed eCommerce platform with numerous APIs, the integration can improve the efficiency of operation related to the store growth and performance. The development cost and time would have been a lot more than what is now for stores on the platform. API integration saves a great time and development cost for ecommerce stores.     


Improved Shopping Experience

Improved Shopping Experience

In the case of incorporating data manually and for building functions from scratch, there is an increased probability of coding errors that may take a lot of effort and time to check and address. This is where API integration helps in delivering better shopping experience by allowing access to data and features.


Data-driven Intelligent Strategy

Data-driven Intelligent Strategy

Effective API integration with the required features helps eCommerce stores to get access to the leading analytics engines and intelligent services based on latest technologies like artificial intelligence and Machine Learning. Thanks to sophisticated APIs for analytics and data-driven decision-making tools, eCommerce stores can be more equipped for decision making and strategy. dJAX handles exporting the eCommerce data to Google BigQuery and it can be also be visualized in Data Studio.

Enhanced Customisation Options

Enhanced Customisation Options

API built for specific features and functions keeping with the diverse customer needs in digital environments can help to incorporate a lot of customisation options as required by the particular store. Instead of building features from scratch, an eCommerce store simply can opt for the needful APIs and give a boost to the custom look by integration with that particular API based on the need of business.


More Collaborative Development Approach

More Collaborative Development Approach

Third-party APIs integrated into the eCommerce stores for various features and functions actually helps developers from various backgrounds collaborate for creating modular solutions and making them available for different industry-specific applications.


Use Cases



Avatar

Third-Party Logistics Integration

Order notifications are pushed via webhooks from Shopify to the custom web app and stored in custom web app database. It is passed on in real-time based on requirements. Tracking numbers & order updates are pulled back and stored in the database. These order updates are pushed back to Shopify via the Shopify API.

Custom Pricing.

Custom Pricing

The user selects a specific membership level to purchase and is redirected to recurring payment gateway page to complete the purchase. A webhook from the recurring payment gateway is sent to the custom web app and it updates the customer record in Shopify via the API with a meta field denoting their membership level. The custom web app continues to listen for update webhooks from the recurring payment gateway to update the customer record accordingly.

SMS Marketing

SMS Marketing

Order notifications are pushed via webhooks from Shopify to the custom web app. These order notifications are stored in the custom web app database. On a regular basis, the custom web app pushes these to an SMS gateway. Responses are then pulled back and updates are pushed to the orders in the Shopify system. These can be created as new orders and sent for rebilling, or updates to older orders and then allowance for manual recapturing.


Require a bit more insight into our API? Let us help you


Get In Touch

Copyright © 2019 dJAX Adserver. All rights reserved.