Shopify is one of the most popular shopping platforms among online sellers is Shopify, with over 2.5 million active stores. For eCommerce software or apps connecting to this platform is one of the main priority. Using Shopify API, software developers can integrate their eCommerce software with this platform and manage the various types of store data for their needs, automate tasks, and enhance the user experience. Whether you're building a custom solution for order management, or inventory synchronization, API in Shopify offers the flexibility and scalability you need to integrate Shopify with other systems.
Like any eCommerce platform, Shopify has it's own pitfalls and peculiarities. Notably, it has recently shifted from REST API to GraphQL API. So, it is important to stay up to date with the latest changes for a successful integration.
In this article, we are going to explore about what is Shopify API and all the details connected with this API. Also, we will discover how to easily implement Shopify API integration for your eCommerce software.
What is Shopify API?
Shopify API is a tool that allows software providers to receive access to the data from Shopify-based online stores and use it for their purposes. Shopify eCommerce API enables operations with key store entities such as products, orders, customers, inventory, and more. For example, you can get products from Shopify programmatically to synchronize catalogs and automate workflows.
Previosly, Shopify API was based on REST principle, but Shopify has gradually shifted its focus toward GraphQL, which allows more efficient and flexible data queries by enabling developers to retrieve exactly the data they need in a single request.
As the platform evolves, the Shopify API is regularly updated. Developers should stay informed about API versioning, recent changes and upcoming features to maintain compatibility and ensure smooth integrations.
Shopify Access Tokens
Shopify access tokens are special components that are used to provide the authentication and authorization of third-party apps to access data in a Shopify store through its admin API. These tokens are used during integration to make sure that the application is compliant with the security standards of the Shopify store and protect the information that is stored there.
To access the data of a particular Shopify store, a third party must ask for permission to the store owner. This is where access tokens come into play. In the course of the integration, the application will invite the store owner to authenticate the app through the Shopify OAuth manner. If the owner approves the request then Shopify grants an access token to the application. This token is a key through which the application can access the store data using API calls in a limited manner.
What is Shopify API Integration?
Shopify API integration means the process of tying any SaaS application with this shopping platform. It is vital for those software providers who want to propose their services to online retailers who use Shopify for selling their goods online.
Without a developing of reliable this integration, software providers cannot help e-store owners to organize and automate their e-retail process.
For example, if you are running shipping software for e-retailers and want to import orders from Shopify-based stores, first of all, you need to build the connection between your solution and this platform. Otherwise, you won't be able to filter orders by their parameters. Also, your software won't be able to create shipments, and update order statuses.
This integration can bring a lot of benefits for eCommerce software vendors. It allows them to propose their services to a greater number of e-stores' owners. Also, it enables them to expand their market share extremely, as Shopify is popular around the globe. Moreover, it allows software providers to enhance the functionality of their solutions and increase their sales.
Shopify API Integration Development
Explore how Shopify integration can help your business become more competitive.How to Connect to Shopify API?
Shopify API integration is quite tricky and a technologically complex process. It is hard to implement without months of investigation. Also, even after its development, you must be ready for its further maintenance and upgrade. Before integrating your software with Shopify, make sure you clearly understand the basics of eCommerce Integration for optimal results.
But, there is a solution that can help you to connect your B2B software with Shopify easily.
It's API2Cart - unified shopping platform integration interface.
API2Cart provides a unified REST API that allows you to integrate with Shopify using REST principles, even though Shopify has shifted its focus to GraphQL. It provides a great number of API methods for managing the data, including Shopify inventory API operations. For example, with API2Cart help, you can get the list of orders, products and customers from Shopify e-stores, update order info, get info about taxes, add and update shipments, etc.
The detailed instruction on how to connect Shopify to API2Cart you can find here.
API2Cart is a useful API integration service. API2Cart is popular among those software vendors who want to integrate with Shopify with no efforts and work in the sphere of:
- shipping management
- order and inventory management
- ERP
- repricing and price optimization
- marketing automation
- and others.
Simplifying the Process of Integration with API2Cart
There are a lot of reasons why the development of connection with Shopify via API2Cart is better than in-house development. First of all, API2Cart has already developed dozens of shopping platform integration. Moreover, we continuously upgrade all of them. So, you won't need to take care of further Shopify connection maintenance and support.
Secondly, usage of API2Cart allows you to save your money and time. The development of Shopify API integration in-house may cost thousands of dollars. How can it be possible? Just imagine that you'll need to pay salaries to your developers for building the connection. The work of highly-qualified specialists costs approximately 3000-6000$ per month. Also, don't forget about the money required for different services that should use your developers. It includes various tools like CS (code repository), CI/CD Services, Cloud Services, etc. Moreover, server hardware and application hosting expenses also are unavoidable.
Additionally, API2Cart provides more than 100 methods for managing the data from Shopify e-stores. You'll be able to access all the needed info on orders, shipments, products, customers, and shipments easily.
Also, API2Cart has detailed API Docs and technical support.
Use Case: How to Work with the Shopify API via API2Cart
As mentioned earlier, with API2Cart you don't need to worry about Shopify's shift to GraphQL. Our unified REST API allows you to continue working with Shopify in a familiar and simplified way.
For instance, if you need to retrieve a list of products from a Shopify store, you can use our product.list method. It returns detailed information about all products available in the store, including product IDs, names, SKUs, prices, stock levels, and more.
Here's a sample response structure of this method:
{
'return_code': 0,
'return_message': 'string',
'pagination': {
'previous': 'string',
'next': 'string',
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
},
'result': {
'products_count': 0,
'product': [
{
'id': 'string',
'type': 'string',
'u_model': 'string',
'u_sku': 'string',
'name': 'string',
'description': 'string',
'short_description': 'string',
'price': 0,
'advanced_price': [
{
'id': 'string',
'value': 0,
'avail': true,
'group_id': 'string',
'quantity_from': 0,
'start_time': {
'value': 'string',
'format': 'string',
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
},
'expire_time': {
'value': 'string',
'format': 'string',
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
},
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
}
],
'cost_price': 0,
'quantity': 0,
'inventory': [
{
'warehouse_id': 'string',
'quantity': 0,
'in_stock': true,
'priority': 0,
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
}
],
'group_items': [
{
'child_item_id': 'string',
'product_id': 'string',
'default_qty_in_pack': 'string',
'is_qty_in_pack_fixed': true,
'price': 0,
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
}
],
'u_brand_id': 'string',
'u_brand': 'string',
'categories_ids': [
'string'
],
'stores_ids': [
'string'
],
'url': 'string',
'seo_url': 'string',
'meta_title': 'string',
'meta_keywords': 'string',
'meta_description': 'string',
'avail_sale': true,
'avail_view': true,
'is_virtual': true,
'is_downloadable': true,
'weight': 0,
'weight_unit': 'string',
'sort_order': 0,
'in_stock': true,
'on_sale': true,
'backorders': 'string',
'manage_stock': 'string',
'is_stock_managed': true,
'create_at': {
'value': 'string',
'format': 'string',
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
},
'modified_at': {
'value': 'string',
'format': 'string',
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
},
'tax_class_id': 'string',
'special_price': {
'value': 0,
'avail': true,
'created_at': {
'value': 'string',
'format': 'string',
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
},
'modified_at': {
'value': 'string',
'format': 'string',
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
},
'expired_at': {
'value': 'string',
'format': 'string',
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
},
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
},
'tier_price': [
{
'qty': 0,
'price': 0,
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
}
],
'group_price': [
{
'id': 'string',
'group_id': 'string',
'price': 0,
'store_id': 'string',
'quantity': 0,
'start_time': 'string',
'expire_time': 'string',
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
}
],
'images': [
{
'id': 'string',
'http_path': 'string',
'file_name': 'string',
'mime-type': 'string',
'size': 0,
'create_at': {
'value': 'string',
'format': 'string',
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
},
'modified_at': {
'value': 'string',
'format': 'string',
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
},
'alt': 'string',
'avail': true,
'sort_order': 0,
'type': 'string',
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
}
],
'product_options': [
{
'id': 'string',
'product_option_id': 'string',
'name': 'string',
'description': 'string',
'sort_order': 0,
'type': 'string',
'required': true,
'available': true,
'used_in_combination': true,
'option_items': [
{
'id': 'string',
'product_option_item_id': 'string',
'name': 'string',
'sort_order': 0,
'price': 'string',
'weight': 'string',
'quantity': 0,
'type_price': 'string',
'sku': 'string',
'is_default': true,
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
}
],
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
}
],
'u_upc': 'string',
'u_mpn': 'string',
'u_gtin': 'string',
'u_isbn': 'string',
'u_ean': 'string',
'related_products_ids': [
'string'
],
'up_sell_products_ids': [
'string'
],
'cross_sell_products_ids': [
'string'
],
'dimensions_unit': 'string',
'width': 0,
'height': 0,
'length': 0,
'discounts': [
{
'id': 'string',
'name': 'string',
'modifier_type': 'string',
'value': 0,
'from_time': 'string',
'to_time': 'string',
'customer_group_ids': 'string',
'sort_order': 0,
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
}
],
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
}
],
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
},
'additional_fields': {},
'custom_fields': {}
}
}
}
]
}
}
This Shopify API example clearly shows how you can retrieve all needed product data quickly and reliably without handling GraphQL complexities.
For more details on available API methods, including their request and response formats, please refer to our documentation.
Summing Up
The Shopify API is a helpful means of building a bridge between you/your client and the data needed. Being both useful and usable, it will always be in demand. And such perspectives are favorable for a developer willing to work.
API2Cart may be your solution to some difficulties occurring in the developing process. It fully integrates with the Shopify API, which enables you to reach all the necessary data and perform various operations with products, orders, categories, etc. You will be able to access, modify, update and delete any types of Shopify e-store data with no difficulties at all.
Shopify is not the only shopping platform API2Cart works with. For example, using API2Cart you can connect with more than 60 other eCommerce platforms. The list includes the platforms such as Magento, WooCommerce, OpenCart, BigCommerce. Also, you can cannet to marketlaces like Amazon, eBay, MercedoLibre, etc. So if you need to deal with more than one shopping platform integration development, consider using API2Cart service. It is an easy and time-saving way out.
Have a look at our API Documentation to get a more detailed insight into how API2Cart works. Also, don't hesitate to test all API2Cart functionality for 14-days for free. For that, you need to book a free demo call with our manager. After that, you can register your account and add any of your clients' e-stores based on Shopify. Moreover, you will get access to all the necessary data on orders, products, prices, etc. Feel free to contact us if you still have questions regarding Shopify app integration or the work of the service.
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