The future of eCommerce: why brands need the API approach

At a time when technology constantly keeps us on our toes, it’s important your business can keep up. It’s not enough to offer your audience the bare minimum when there are so many other businesses out there who will be going the extra mile. After all, consumers want a seamless, reliable, and efficient online experience. APIs can help you get there.

What are APIs?

API is short for ‘application programming interfaces’. They’re software intermediaries that help separate systems ‘talk’ to each other. Using APIs, one application can communicate with – and expose its services to – other applications.

For example, a website has a weather or maps app built into it. APIs work via requests and responses from a browser to a server. So when the site’s open on a browser, it requests information from the server’s API (the weather or maps software). The server then responds to your browser by displaying the requested information.

In eCommerce, APIs can bring together all sorts of data such as product information, social media streaming, shipping rates, order management, pricing, or customer data. APIs transform this data into usable, practical intelligence for the consumer. They match the right communications at the right time to the right device. For example, while on your site, APIs make it possible for customers to see real-time shipping costs or order updates.

What are the benefits?

APIs make headless commerce possible. With headless commerce, you get better customisation of your platform as the front- and back-ends are kept separate. It’s an API’s job to communicate between the two. You can keep up better with current trends as no matter what client-facing platform you’re using, APIs make sure your customer has access to all the necessary information.

But careful – there are impacts to going headless. We can help you understand how SEO works in headless commerce.

APIs add transactional qualities to any consumer touchpoint; whether it’s online, a mobile app, or in-store. Using the request-response pattern, APIs put all the important information at your customer’s fingertips. By providing a better user experience for your customers, you keep your business competitive. 86% of buyers will pay more for a better brand experience. And APIs ensure your customers have a seamless and efficient experience with your business.

Incorporating automation like APIs helps future-proof your business. If you don’t embrace current eCommerce trends, then you run the risk of being left behind. By keeping up to date with the digital landscape, you keep your business at the forefront of your industry.

The future of eCommerce calls for a personalised, seamless, and efficient customer experience. Using APIs, you make sure this is exactly what your customers get.

The Shopit platform boasts powerful APIs that keep your business growing and ensure it keeps up with technological advancement. Our system allows you the freedom to completely customise your front-facing design, while offering your customers a seamless and personalised user experience. Find out more today.