Bespoke Ecommerce Integration Services

Ecommerce integrations

The ecommerce industry continues to expand year on year. It's never been easier for your company - whether small, large or multinational - to 'set up shop' and start selling your products in literal minutes. Consumers are able to browse and purchase items with the click of a button and all of this is largely down to the many ecommerce platforms available in the market today.

Typically, off-the-shelf ecommerce solutions offer features such as product catalogue management, shopping cart functionality, secure payment processing and order management tools. For many organisations, these standard features are sufficient and provide everything they need to operate. However, that's not always the case. If your company has complex operations, unique workflows or specialist requirements, you may need to be able to integrate with other third party systems and this is not always possible through off-the-shelf platforms. However, with bespoke integrations - it is!

Why integrate?

There are many reasons why you might choose to integrate your ecommerce shop with the other existing systems you use. Here, we will take a look at some of the most common:

External integrations

Many businesses want the ability to access data directly from their suppliers’ systems. Whilst some off-the-shelf solutions offer third party integrations, these are often limited in what they can access and who they can connect with. You may want to integrate with logistics providers, manufacturers or outsourced customer service teams and there are many reasons why this can benefit your ecommerce operations:

Inventory syncing

By syncing the data from a suppliers inventory with your own, you can provide your clients with transparency, avoid stock shortages and refrain from promoting products you can't actually deliver due to them being out of stock or discontinued.

Automated order fulfilment

Integrating with your manufacturing or logistics suppliers can give you access to automated order fulfilment - placing orders directly with suppliers when a client has made a purchase - which means faster processing and a reduction in the dreaded admin associated with placing orders.

Better customer support

Perhaps you outsource your customer support? By integrating your ecommerce store with your support providers, the agents can access crucial customer data in real time and see each customer’s history meaning they can offer a much better, more personalised experience.

Reduction in pesky admin

By integrating with your suppliers systems, you can push and pull data at the click of a button, significantly reduce the need for manual data entry across multiple systems.

Internal integrations

Similarly, integrating your ecommerce system with your other internal software can provide a multitude of benefits. Again, this may be possible through an off-the-shelf solution but the integration options are likely to be limited especially if your other systems are bespoke. CRMs, Accounting Software and Power BI dashboards are all examples of tools that can be integrated with your ecommerce solution and there are several reasons why you might do so:

One stop shop for data

Having multiple different systems that hold different types of data can make your order process incredibly disjointed and labour heavy. Having all that data synced in one central repository however ensures your data is accurate and up to date, can provide opportunities for automation and means data is not having to be manually entered multiple times across 56 different systems.

Inventory management

As with external integrations, if you already have an in house system to manage inventory and/or orders, integrating it with your ecommerce platform ensures stock levels are kept accurate on your store and subsequently, your customers are aware of any limitations or delays with regards to product availability.

Accurate finances

Now looking to finances - integrating your ecommerce platform with your accounting software will help to keep your records accurate, consolidated and up to date giving you reliable figures for that all important decision making and forecasting.

Reporting & insights

Reporting is a universal requirement for most businesses and by integrating your ecommerce platform with internal reporting and analytics tools such as Power BI or Tableau, you will have access to live time data on sales, marketing or whatever other performance metrics are important to your business as well as being able to pull off reports at the click of a button.

Why bespoke?

Off-the-shelf ecommerce integrations can work very well indeed if your processes are standard and you’re connecting to other widely used systems. However, they often lack the flexibility, scalability and customisation needed when your requirements are more complex or nuanced.

Bespoke integrations provide you with consistent connectivity between your ecommerce platform and both internal and external systems helping you improve efficiency, take advantage of automation and create a better experience for both your staff and your customers. Let’s take a closer look at why you might choose a bespoke integration over an off-the-shelf option:

Key advantages of bespoke ecommerce integrations

They are as unique as your business

Off-the-shelf integrations are built to appeal to the masses rather than to a singular entity which means they are generally not suitable for nuanced or complex processes and workflows that are outside of the norm. On the other hand, bespoke integrations ensure full compatibility with your existing systems regardless of the complexity because they are built from scratch and thus, can take these nuances into account in the design.

Use case - A fashion retailer might require an integration between their ecommerce platform and their custom CRM system in order to provide personalised recommendations based on the customers purchase history. An off-the-shelf integration is highly unlikely to be able to make this connection between the systems because the CRM is bespoke. However, a custom integration can connect these systems and specify what information needs to be shared in order for the company to make the actual recommendations i.e. the purchase history.

They promote efficiency

By choosing a bespoke integration, you’re much more likely to achieve higher levels of efficiency. Off-the-shelf integrations often require workarounds or manual intervention because they’re designed to process certain data in a standard format to suit as many organisations as is humanly possible. If you need different data or a format that fits your specific processes, this can be difficult if not impossible to achieve. Bespoke options, on the other hand, are built specifically for your requirements, giving you an integration that works exactly the way you need it to.

Use case - A wholesale distributor might need an integration between their ecommerce platform and an inventory management system that updates stock levels in real time across multiple sales channels. An off-the-shelf solution may only sync inventory once an hour and only be able to update stock levels on their Shopify store leaving out their warehouse system. This could lead to overselling and/or delays in order fulfillment. A bespoke integration, however, can be developed to provide instant stock updates on all their sales platforms ensuring accurate availability across the board and a great customer experience.

They offer scalability

As your business grows and evolves, so too will your operational needs. Bespoke integrations can be designed with your future ambitions at their core allowing you to add new functionalities when organisational changes happen, integrate with third party applications you don’t yet use or manage increased transaction volumes without disrupting your existing workflows. This kind of flexibility is essential if you want to scale efficiently.

Use case - A subscription based service might require a custom integration between their ecommerce platform and a billing system that can manage different pricing models, discounts and renewals simultaneously. A ready built solution may not accommodate the company’s unique subscription structure whereas a bespoke integration can be designed to match it exactly.

They strengthen security and compliance

Another important consideration for your business is of course security. Every organisation has unique requirements and standards can vary widely across industries. Off-the-shelf integrations may not always meet your specific security or compliance requirements, potentially exposing you to data vulnerabilities. Bespoke integrations, however, can be built with stringent security protocols tailored to your exact needs and fully compliant with regulations that are relevant to your business. Measures including encryption, access controls and audit trails can all be incorporated to ensure your data stays secure and your reputation in tact.

Use case – A financial services company responsible for managing sensitive customer data integrates their ecommerce platform with a secure payment gateway. A custom integration ensures that all transactions adhere to the required industry security standards, reducing the risk of fraud, non compliance fines and reputational damage.

Technical aspects of bespoke ecommerce integration

Successful ecommerce integration can be far from straight forward, especially when we're talking about bespoke integrations. It requires a strategic approach that accommodates and accounts for all of the technical intricacies of your ecommerce platform and indeed, the system it needs to connect to. Without this, you can expect the aspects that were ignored to come back and bite you - hard.

A good starting point to ensure the integration is successful is choosing the right integration method - API integrations (Application Programming Interfaces) take a central role these days but there are alternatives including webhooks, middleware and direct database connections. Let's explore them in more detail:

API integrations

Starting with the most common - APIs are the de facto backbone of today's modern system integrations, enabling applications to communicate and share data in real time. Different types of APIs can be used depending on your specific needs including RESTful APIs (widely used and straightforward), SOAP APIs (feature rich and standards driven) and GraphQL (highly flexible in retrieving the exact data you need). With a custom API, you can build tailored integrations that allow your ecommerce platform to work with third party systems such as payment gateways, CRM software, inventory management systems and logistics providers.

Webhooks

Webhooks are another integration option and provide a lightweight, efficient way to allow for real time communication between systems. Unlike traditional API polling which requires frequent requests for updates, webhooks automatically send data when a specific event occurs for example, when new information is added to a CRM, the webhook pushes that data to another system immediately.

Middleware

Middleware solutions act as a go between for your different systems allowing for communication and data translation between applications that don’t support direct integration. They’re particularly useful if you need to connect multiple systems with different data formats or communication protocols. Middleware options include enterprise service buses (ESBs) and integration platform-as-a-service (iPaaS) tools and they can be the bridge between both cloud based and on-premises applications to ensure your systems work together as they should.

Direct database connections

Finally, if you need fast integration between your systems, direct database connections can give you an efficient way to read and write data between different databases. This approach minimises latency and lets your systems operate in near real time. However, you’ll need to manage it carefully to maintain data integrity and keep your information secure. Direct connections are particularly useful for your internal systems where APIs may not be available or necessary.

Key features of bespoke ecommerce integration

Essential features for online business success

Integrations are crucial in ecommerce if you want your business to perform at its best. They can significantly improve efficiency, reduce manual work (and the errors and resource drain that come with it) and make it much easier for you to adapt and grow in the future. Here are some of the key capabilities integrations can give you access to:

Inventory consolidation

Bespoke integrations allow you to keep your inventory up to date across all of the channels you use - websites, warehouse systems, CRM systems and finance systems to name a few examples. Off-the-shelf integrations often don’t support syncing across all these platforms (especially if they are bespoke) or may not offer inventory syncing at all.

Order processing

Receive order > View order > Call supplier > Place order > Check email confirmation > Pass confirmation to client...Just no. Using a bespoke integration can automate your order processing from end to end including placing orders with suppliers, passing orders to a warehouse, sending relevant customer comms and many other laborious tasks that eat up your time.

Multi channel support

It's not as common as it once was for ecommerce companies to do all of their marketing, selling and payment processing through one platform. Online marketplaces (Amazon), social media channels (Facebook) and supplier portals are all channels you may need to connect to your ecommerce system. And whilst off-the-shelf solutions may offer limited integrations with the platforms that provide open APIs - Amazon or Facebook - they probably can’t integrate with your supplier's custom portal!

A great customer experience

By choosing to integrate your ecommerce platform with other internal systems such as your CRM, you can really capitalise on your data by using it to provide a personalised experience based on past order history and previous communications with your clients. Other features such as one click checkouts can also add to the customer experience via integration with payment systems and as touched on above, automated custom comms for important updates on shipping can further increase satisfaction.

Enabling necessary functionalities for efficient performance

If you're an ecommerce business that relies on multiple different systems for optimal performance, a well integrated platform that is rich in functionality is very important for ensuring it performs well for both your business and your customers. Let's take a closer look at some of the functionality that can help to ensure you stay ahead:

Detailed tracking and analytics

To succeed long term, you need clear insight into both customer behaviour and how your business is performing. Bspoke ecommerce integrations can give you access to tailored advanced analytics, live reporting and visual data dashboards. This enables you to:

Monitor sales statistics - Identify your best and worst selling products and understand any seasonal fluctuations.

Monitor inventory levels - Prevents you selling stock you don't actually have and disappointing your customers.

Stay informed of customer preferences - Gather relevant insights into shopping behaviour to use in your marketing strategy.

Measure ROI on marketing efforts - Understand the effectiveness of advertising campaigns, promotions and any other relevant revenue driving initiatives.

Predict future demand - You can use historical data to forecast demand, plan your inventory, focus your marketing efforts and make all round more informed strategic decisions.

User experience and navigation

It's common knowledge that ecommerce is a fast moving and highly competitive space. To stay relevant, you need to stand out and avoid giving customers a reason to shop elsewhere. One of the most effective ways to retain them is by delivering a consistently great user experience - making every interaction with your ecommerce platform a positive one. Let’s explore some of the ways you can achieve that:

Cookies anyone?

Unfortunately, we're not referring to the crumbly type you have with a cuppa but digital cookies do serve a purpose that benefits both you and your customers. You benefit through compliance with data regulations whilst your customers can receive more personalised recommendations whilst remaining in control of their data.

Easy navigation

We've all been there - trying to navigate a site that's so complex and unclear, we've given up and left instead. This is exactly the type of experience you do NOT want to provide your customers. How? Make sure your ecommerce platform has a logical menu structure, powerful search functionality, breadcrumbs, internal links and clear call to action buttons.

Browser compatibility and performance

Ecommerce customers are as diverse as they come. And so, it should be no surprise that they will do their shopping from different devices, browsers and locations. Therefore, it's imperative that your store is responsive in design, has optimised imagery and code, has been tested across all browsers and websites and doesn't rely too heavily on third party scripts for performance improvements.

Future trends in bespoke ecommerce integration

As ecommerce continues to take over the world, you should always try and stay ahead of emerging trends - your survival might just depend on it. What trends we hear you ask?

Emerging technologies and innovations

New technologies such as blockchain, augmented reality (AR) and voice commerce could be big disrupters in the ecommerce industry. These advancements offer even more secure transactions, immersive shopping experiences and improve voice command based shopping - all highly likely to be a big hit with consumers and with big potential to set new standards for digital commerce.

The role of AI and machine learning

AI and machine learning are already a major part of ecommerce. They give you the ability to automate processes, personalise customer experiences and strengthen your ability to detect and prevent fraud.

Predictions for the next decade

According to Natasha Bedingfield, the rest is still unwritten but if we were to hazard an educated guess - it will be more of the same! More opportunities for automation, a further increase in reliance on AI decision making (yes, we find it scary too) and even more weird and wonderful ways to make things more personalised for customers.

Final thoughts

Bespoke ecommerce integrations open up a world of possibilities for your business. Automated orders, synced inventories and great user experiences that keep your customers coming back are just a few of the benefits. If you’re tired of relying on workarounds, spending too many hours on admin or dealing with frustrated customers trying to buy stock you don’t in fact have, it’s time to explore a custom built ecommerce integration - designed around your business, not someone elses!