Ecommerce integration connects your online store to other software your business uses, like accounting, inventory management, or customer relationship management (CRM) tools. It ensures that data flows smoothly between systems, saving you time and effort.
For example, if you integrate your store with accounting software, sales and expenses are automatically updated, reducing manual work and errors.
Not all systems communicate in the same way and sometimes a lot of junk data is input into shared systems, where you don’t want it. If you have a high volume ecommerce business, this excess data can even cause other parts of your system to crash.
There are specialist ecommerce integrator systems that can consolidate data from all of the sales platforms and channels, shipping and inventory data and share just what is required to your other control platforms like customer support/CRM, shipping, inventory and accounting.
This allows a best of approach when selecting which software to use in your business.
Popular Ecommerce integrators are:
A2X
Synder
Link My Books
Amaka
Parex
Integrations make your business run smoother by adding features and automating processes.
Example: Adding PayPal as a payment option lets customers check out quickly and securely.
Integrating CRM tools helps you track customer behaviour and improve relationships.
Using an integrator allows sales data from multiple channels to be summarised and sent to the accounting system in just a couple of transactions.
Ecommerce integrations pull all your business data into one place. You can track customer details, orders, inventory, and sales without switching between systems.
Integrations reduce manual work by automatically updating data across platforms.
For Employees: No need to enter the same data in multiple systems.
For Customers: They can interact with your business easily, like chatting with support directly from your website.
Today’s customers expect seamless service across different channels like email, social media, and live chat. Integrations make it easier to meet these expectations.
Example: A live chat tool connected to your website lets you respond to customer questions in real time, improving satisfaction and boosting sales.
As your business grows, integrations help you scale. They provide tools to manage more orders, customers, and data without hiring extra staff or adding manual tasks.
Here are some tools to consider:
Website platforms: Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Amazon, Etsy, Ebay
Accounting systems: Xero
Customer support: Zendesk, Tidio
Email marketing: Mailchimp, Klaviyo
Payment gateways: PayPal, Stripe
CRM tools: HubSpot, Salesforce
Inventory and shipping: Cin7, Unleashed, DEAR
Start by identifying which parts of your business could use automation. Then, choose platforms that integrate easily with each other you can create a streamlined system.
Consider using an integrator system instead if linking products together directly. Different systems will work slightly differently so it is best to consider what is most important to you. This will often start with the sales platforms and then the integrator which forms the hub of your system. Selecting products from there may depend on the ability to link to the integrator.
By integrating your ecommerce store with the right tools, you’ll save time, serve customers better, and set your business up for long-term success.