Integrating BigCommerce with other systems is key for retailers looking to customize and scale their ecommerce operations. BigCommerce offers robust API capabilities to support building these integrations, providing flexibility for merchants to connect their storefront with tools for order management, accounting, marketing automation, fulfillment, and more.
In this post, we’ll explore best practices for leveraging BigCommerce APIs to create custom integrations. We’ll cover the basics of the available API types, how to connect them with other platforms, use cases and examples, and tips for managing API requests and authentication.
Overview of BigCommerce APIs
BigCommerce APIs allow developers to access and integrate store data into external applications. There are two main API types offered:
REST APIs: Provide access to read, write, update, and delete (CRUD) operations across BigCommerce resources like products, orders, customers.
GraphQL API: Provides more targeted and flexible access to store data with a single endpoint via queries.
When building BigCommerce integrations, the API capabilities align with the specific needs:
- REST is great for CRUD tasks like managing the catalog or order processing flows.
- GraphQL works well for displaying data on storefronts, surfaces niche data sets dynamically.
BigCommerce offers SDKs (JavaScript, .NET, Java, PHP) to simplify working with the APIs in popular programming languages. The APIs can connect with webhooks to respond to store events in real time. OAuth authentication enables secure API access.
Overall, having both REST and GraphQL APIs available provides versatility for diverse integration requirements.
Why Integrate BigCommerce APIs into Other Platforms?
Here are some top reasons retailers integrate BigCommerce APIs:
1. Centralize order management – Sync BigCommerce orders with order management software or ERP systems like NetSuite, Acumatica. This improves order processing, tracking, returns.
2. Connect accounting tools – Send order data to accounting platforms such as QuickBooks or Xero for unified reporting and financial reconciliation.
3. Enrich customer experiences – Display BigCommerce catalog data on customized storefronts, progressive web apps, etc. built using frameworks like React Native. This provides shopper experiences tailored to brand needs.
4. Automate marketing – Trigger email campaigns, retargeting ads, or push notifications to website visitors based on their on-site browsing activity by integrating the APIs with marketing automation tools.
5. Streamline fulfillment – Connect inventory/order data with 3PL warehouse software to enable seamless fulfillment across sales channels.
These are just some examples of valuable ways retailers integrate BigCommerce APIs across their ecommerce tech stack for greater flexibility and efficiency.
Top API Use Cases and Examples
To understand how BigCommerce APIs can be leveraged, let’s explore some common API use cases with examples of platforms that offer these capabilities:
Order Management + ERP tools
Use Case: Centralize order data across channels, offering robust order processing and tracking
Examples:
- TradeGecko: Syncs BigCommerce transactions into unified order management and inventory overview
- Brightpearl: Connects orders, customer details, stock levels between BigCommerce and built-in POS, accounting
- Acumatica: Enables custom workflows, automations between BigCommerce and cloud ERP
Accounting Software
Use Case: Send order/payment info to accounting systems to streamline reporting
Examples:
- QuickBooks: Auto-imports BigCommerce sales, fees data for reconciling with bank/credit accounts
- Xero: Syncs BigCommerce transactions into Xero accounting overview in real time
Custom Storefronts
Use Case: Display catalog data on progressive web/mobile apps with customized shopper experiences
Examples:
- React Native: Leverage BigCommerce APIs and React Native framework to build cross-platform native-app storefronts
- Vue Storefront: Open-source storefront integration layer powered by BigCommerce APIs
Marketing Automation
Use Case: Connect visitor/customer data with email, ad platforms to trigger targeted campaigns
Examples:
- Klaviyo: Uses purchase events via BigCommerce API to automatically send confirmation/follow up emails
- Perfect Audience: Can retarget site visitors with ads across channels based on their on-site behavior
These examples illustrate some of the capabilities unlocked by integrating BigCommerce APIs with surrounding ecommerce infrastructure. The use cases are truly diverse based on the platforms connected and depth of integrations built upon the flexible API capabilities.
Tips for Working With BigCommerce APIs
When leveraging BigCommerce APIs, keep these tips in mind:
Authentication
Securely access APIs using OAuth. Set up API accounts with granular store permissions for only necessary resources.
Versioning
Code integrations using the latest stable API version and have a versioning strategy for updates.
Rate Limiting
BigCommerce has rate limits – structure integrations efficiently to avoid exceeding limits.
Error Handling
Have error handling logic using status codes since APIs can temporarily go down.
Testing
Thoroughly test connectivity, data parsing, and business logic handling. Monitor performance post-deployment.
Documentation
Use the extensive API docs as guide, enabling smoother app development.
Adhering to best practices around versioning, authentication, error handling, and testing sets up API integrations for long-term stability and performance.
Why Choose Anchor Group for BigCommerce Implementation?
As a BigCommerce Partner, Anchor Group offers certified developers and designers to support implementing custom API integrations tailored for your retail needs.
Our capabilities include:
Custom Storefronts: We build high-performance React/Vue powered PWAs or mobile apps connected seamlessly with BigCommerce APIs. These enable brands to deliver differentiated shopping experiences.
Omnichannel Order Processing: We centralize sales data across all channels by integrating APIs with order/inventory management platforms and POS systems. This achieves a unified view with robust order handling capabilities.
ERP Integrations: We connect BigCommerce with major ERPs and accounting tools leveraging pre-built connectors as well as custom API work for specialized requirements. This helps consolidate financial data enterprise-wide.
ERP Integrations: We connect BigCommerce with major ERPs and accounting tools leveraging pre-built connectors as well as custom API work for specialized requirements. This helps consolidate financial data enterprise-wide.
With deep expertise across catalog, customer, and order-related BigCommerce APIs, the Anchor Group technical team helps design and build exactly the integrations your expanding retail business needs. We handle everything from implementation and support to monitoring and updates, enabling seamless omnichannel retail systems focused on driving revenue growth.
Key Takeaways
- BigCommerce provides both REST and GraphQL API options to access and modify store data, fueling diverse integration opportunities.
- Top use cases range from centralizing order management to building custom storefronts to connecting marketing automation platforms.
- Following best practices for authentication, testing, documentation ensures performant and stable API integrations.
- Anchor Group certified BigCommerce developers can support building custom integrations tailored to a retailer’s specific omnichannel needs.
Integrating BigCommerce APIs opens tremendous possibilities for enterprise retailers to innovate. Working with technically skilled implementation partners ultimately determines how successfully retailers leverage this promise to craft connected, high-growth customer experiences.