API first eCommerce for an optimal shopping experience
A seamless integration between platform and business processes
Open the webshop world for systems, developers and customers
API calls are used to ensure that different systems communicate and exchange data. An API is often designed by a platform developer who also determines the capabilities of the API. The risk of this is that you purchase a platform where the API is too limited, and you cannot realize full integration of platform and business processes. This can affect the safety, architecture, design and shopping experience of the customers of your webshop. Would you rather start from the essence and build from there? Then an eCommerce platform with an API first eCommerce strategy is exactly what you are looking for.
Why API first eCommerce?
API first eCommerce is a strategy or approach that puts sales functionality first - no matter who, what or where it is used. In this way you can easily adapt as an organization to changes in the market. Reasons why you choose API first eCommerce:
Synchronization
With a regular approach, it remains a challenge to keep data up-to-date anytime, anywhere. Sometimes it happens that a stock or delivery time is out of sync and is displayed incorrectly. This can have a negative effect on your customer's shopping experience.
With API first eCommerce, the data between systems is always synchronized. Different applications can access through the API, making data up-to-date anytime, anywhere.
Processing time
Whatever the product or service entails, everyone wants the shortest possible time to market. Because the frond and backend are inextricably linked, it takes a long time to implement changes. By the time all adjustments have been made and tested - and are live again - customer demand has already changed.
With a headless implementation of your eCommerce platform you work much faster, which considerably shortens the time to market.
Integrations
Most suppliers support some integrations with their eCommerce platform. But if you have a self-built ERP system or you want to integrate with a niche product that is very important for your business processes, it quickly becomes complicated.
With an API first eCommerce platform, creating integrations is easy, because you are not stuck with the most used and large third parties. This makes it easy to integrate other organizations, systems or services with your eCommerce platform.
Best-of-breed strategy
Without an API first approach, it is difficult to apply a best-of-breed strategy. With this strategy you select the best products that together meet all your business requirements. This makes it possible to offer your customer an omnichannel shopping experience, in which all communication channels work together.
With regular platforms you have to rely on a system with standard functionalities and you depend on customizations to find a better connection with your business processes. It is difficult to focus on the tailored experience of your customers, regardless of the channel. With an API first eCommerce platform you create your own environment that seamlessly matches the wishes of your customer.
API first eCommerce offers limitless possibilities
Benefits of the CloudSuite API:
Maximum freedom
Develop new applications or even complete webshops thanks to the Headless API. Take advantage of the power of the Headless API and develop a frontend that matches the image of your organization. Experience endless freedom without additional work on the backend.
Third party integrations
The API connects seamlessly with third parties for an optimal, efficient and complete IT landscape. Think of carriers, review platforms and marketplaces, but also OCI & punchOut, email marketing or tracking & analytics.
ERP driven eCommerce
Always benefit from the right information, directly from your ERP. Thanks to our API, you can easily connect the eCommerce platform to your ERP system and the data it contains. This way, the customer always has access to important data from the ERP system, such as current prices and stock information.
Quick access to information
The API is a generic development tool that is regularly updated. Even the documentation is automatically generated so that it is always up to date. The API has an extensive logging and monitoring system that identifies every problem.
Choose the best approach for eCommerce
Customers have 24/7 access to customer data
Automatic: less manual errors and more time savings
Better customer experience, increased customer satisfaction
ERP-driven eCommerce: the 9 key benefits
A seamless integration of internal processes and online business.
Download whitepaper