Operation of the e-shop currently does not have to take place exclusively on its own web interface. On the contrary, the internet space offers many options for getting your products and business online.
One of the ways to start an e-commerce business is to list your products on the marketplace. Another alternative is to use e-commerce platforms, thanks to which you can create an e-shop by using templates in a few minutes.
Whether you sell on your own website, on marketplaces, or on another e-commerce platform, you can still go further with technology. You can use various add-ons that make it easier for you to work with accounting, logistics, communication with customers, payments, and more.
However, not only the seller but also the additional service provider must be thoroughly prepared for such a connection. Finding such a symbiosis between systems is not always an easy assignment.
How e-commerce integrations work, what is worth knowing about the connection of systems, and what to pay attention to when choosing services are described in more detail in the article.
Connection starts with the API
In e-commerce, there are many services, technologies, and other options that help improve work. However, many such options need to be connected to the e-shop and its data.
This is done through an API (Application Programming Interface), also known as an application programming environment, which helps with cross-platform integration. In simple terms, an e-commerce site that wants to outsource logistics to a third party needs to get its data into the fulfillment provider’s information system.
This is where the API comes into play, through which data is imported from one system to another. This can be, for example, data about orders, delivery locations, order statuses, and many other functions.
The advantages of the API include, for example, extensibility between multiple applications, data synchronization, but also, for example, data protection. Via the API, the connection also works via other e-commerce platforms.
The seller can thus sell through marketplaces or e-commerce platforms and at the same time use services from the environment of logistics, accounting, and the like. Specific data is connected thanks to various add-ons and plugins, and the business works without problems.
E-commerce integration options for e-shop
Using marketplaces is one way to get your products in front of a large number of customers. These are, for example, Amazon, Ebay, Allegro, Kaufland, or Alibaba.
The advantages are regular customers, the popularity of marketplaces in different countries, or easier delivery of products to foreign markets. On the other hand, customers may not know from whom they are buying the product, and there is also a lot of competition from different sellers from all over the world.
Another option is e-commerce platforms, such as Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Shoptet, and others. These platforms can help with the operation of the e-shop, with data tracking, and thanks to various accessories, they can seamlessly connect different applications.
Such add-ons can be different, from fulfillment companies through accounting applications to emailing and communication applications, among many others.
E-commerce possibilities are huge, while there are other platforms that can connect different sales channels or other additional services in one place. This can be, for example, Baselinker, MetaKocka, and the like.
Compatibility between external services and e-commerce platforms is an important factor that can become essential in the future. Therefore, if, for example, in the case of logistics, an e-shop is looking for a 3PL service provider, it must first of all find out whether the company also offers integration with a specific e-commerce platform.
Integration with e-commerce platforms
The entire integration process works via an API, where the e-shop is connected to the given platform through plugins and uses the services thanks to the application. In this case, we will focus on 3PL services and an example of how the connection takes place.
When using a 3PL company, it must first check with the operator whether it has the necessary plugins for integration with individual e-commerce platforms. After checking, the plugin will be downloaded or an account will be created, thanks to which the connection will take place.
The platform will then be linked to the fulfillment company’s information system via API and plugin. Data can thus easily flow from one interface to another.
A company providing fulfillment services has access to orders, client address information, and the like. It is all the more advantageous for the client if the company has created a high-quality client application.
In one place, you can check not only stocks but also orders, data, cash on delivery, returns, and many others. The whole process should be accompanied by precise instructions or help from qualified workers.
Integration and plugins in Fulfillment by FHB Group
Being compatible with clients and multiple e-commerce platforms is a critical point for us in terms of maintaining competitiveness and leadership in the Central and Eastern European fulfillment market. Connecting individual platforms via API is made possible by our top information system.
Subsequently, we offer plugins and various accessories to connect our application with the e-commerce platform system. Our clients have the opportunity to operate on integration platforms such as BaseLinker or MetaKocka.
We also offer plugins on marketplaces and e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Shopify, Shoptet, WooCommerce, Upgates, and Prestashop. Invoicing applications are no stranger to us either; we offer a plugin for the SuperFaktúra application.
Basically, we are constantly working to expand the possibilities for clients who are interested in finding the ideal logistics solution and leaving the responsibility to an experienced fulfillment company.