What are Shopify Plus APIs? Overview & benefits
It is an exciting time to be working in ecommerce. However, choosing the right platform can be challenging. Shopify Plus is an ecommerce platform that has been designed for use by those who have a high volume of customers, combining the benefits of more basic ecommerce systems while providing more control and increased adaptability to online merchants.
With higher levels of customisation and automation available for brands, it is a great choice for high-volume enterprise-level merchants. In this article, we will take a look at Shopify Plus's higher API limit and what this means for an ecommerce store. We'll explain what APIs are and introduce some Plus-only APIs. In this guide:
- API overview
- Shopify Plus API benefits
- Plus-only APIs: Gift Card
- Plus-only APIs: Multipass
- Plus-only APIs: User
- Frequently asked questions
API overview
If you are not familiar with ecommerce, some of the terminologies can be a little confusing. API stands for Application Programming Interface; this is an online protocol that allows communication between two programmes. This includes sending, receiving and requesting data. Every Shopify merchant will have used APIs before, as they are widely used in many web settings across a whole range of applications. If you have used an app from the Shopify app store for your online store, you will have encountered an API.
Shopify's API allows a developer to improve upon and extend the existing features that are built into the platform. This gives the merchant more control over both how they interact with their store and what the experience of their customer is likely to be.
Shopify Plus API benefits
Shopify Plus API has a range of benefits for ecommerce businesses. For example, a developer can use the APIs to make any device a digital storefront, broadening the scope of usable devices and extending your reach. It is also possible to improve and strengthen integrations, and to enhance solutions without breaking any existing solutions.
There are some Shopify APIs that are generally accessible to Shopify users, such as Admin, Storefront, Liquid and Ajax. However, there are many more API solutions available for the exclusive access of the Shopify Plus merchant.
If you are working at an enterprise level, the use of extra APIs becomes essential to the streamlining and management of your store. For example, by using Shopify API, you are able to simplify the customer journey to improve your overall sales and interaction, even without running campaigns. Larger ecommerce businesses will often be unable to cultivate a one-on-one relationship with customers, but a smooth purchasing process improves the chances of ensuring order conversion and customer loyalty.
Plus-only APIs: Gift Card
The Gift Card API is designed to provide customers with an alternate way of paying for goods and services. Each gift card has its own unique code that can be used during one checkout to pay a complete balance, or used over multiple checkouts, depending on the amount on the card. The Gift Card API can be used to effortlessly create and update gift cards for your store.
This provides the capacity for developers and business owners to offer gift cards to customers as standard or as a special offer to loyal customers, without too much heavy lifting. It also offers the opportunity to bring in more customers by enticing them with a gift card to get them familiar with your goods or service.
Plus-only APIs: Multipass
Multipass is a convenient API for Plus merchants who have a webstore and a separate website. It removes the issue of needing multiple logins for separate sites. For example, if you sell merchandise that is connected with a separate online presence, you can embed a link into your website that takes the user directly to that store, and logs them in using their same login credentials.
This creates a much smoother customer journey and increases the likelihood of a customer following through on a purchase. It doesn’t even require you to sync multiple customer databases, making the process as seamless for you as it is for the customer.
Plus-only APIs: User
The User API is very useful if you have multiple staff members working on your store through the Shopify admin. It allows you to gather relevant information, such as account permissions, and alter this information easily. This is especially useful if you have staff members who have left or are unable to work and no longer require full admin access, but they are unable to supply you with the information needed to change these permissions. It streamlines the management of staff profiles.
This means that you are able to provide staff with permission to only one part of your Shopify store, which is essential if you have many different staff members working on multiple components of the store itself.
Frequently asked questions
What integrations are available for Shopify Plus?
Some integrations available for Shopify Plus include Product Information Management (PIM), Warehouse Management Software (WMS), Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Inventory and Order Management (IMS and OMS).
What are the benefits of Shopify Plus?
As well as the higher API limit and an extensive ecosystem of apps and themes, there are many benefits of Shopify Plus, including improved safety and security, localised stores, and automated campaigns. For more information about the benefits of Shopify Plus, check out our expert guide.
Should your store run on Shopify or Shopify Plus?
Whether you choose to run your store on Shopify or Shopify Plus depends on a few factors. Perhaps the most leading one is the size of your enterprise. If you have a large scale enterprise that has many customers or clients, then the automation afforded by Shopify Plus is very advantageous. It allows you to take on more of the customer care side of the business, rather than fulfilling orders. Read our guide to the differences between Shopify and Shopify Plus plans to find out more.
