Top eCommerce APIs to 10x app development
Yee Ki Au
Growth @ Rye
Nov 22, 2023
7 min read
Building an end-to-end shopping experience used to take months. With APIs, adding shopping to apps is possible in a matter of days. Developers can leverage existing platforms and services as building blocks. Therefore, it's crucial to select the appropriate API stack to optimize your app's capabilities and user experience. Here’s an overview of the eCommerce API landscape, our top-picks, and how to choose the right stack for your app.
The eCommerce API Landscape
Best APIs for Product Data and Ordering
APIs to fetch product data & programmatically order from any merchant
These APIs enable marketplaces to kickstart and grow. They don't require 1:1 merchant relationships and integrations, thus helping you overcome the chicken-and-egg problem.
Connect and automate ordering from any Amazon Business and Shopify store using Rye’s Sell Anything API. You can ingest product data by entering the variant id (ASIN for Amazon) or store URL. Also supports single checkout for shopping carts with multiple merchants / marketplaces, and fulfills orders with fast & free Prime shipping.
Fetch product data and programmatically order from various marketplaces such as Amazon, Walmart, AliExpress. Zinc also supports crypto payments and various shipping options.
APIs to sync product data & place order from partnered merchants
If you already have merchants relationships, these APIs enable you to sync product data and automate ordering. You can even negotiate and manage affiliate commissions. However, this route requires authentication & integration with each merchant.
Sync real-time data, place orders, and manage affiliate commissions with Shopify brands via the Rye Sync API. Supports 2-click onboarding for your partnered merchants by installing the Rye Shopify app. Rye also has an existing catalogue of partnered merchants (e.g. RAINS, Kettle & Fire) with commissions available for developers.
A Unified Checkout API to onboard and checkout products from multiple merchants on major marketplaces including Shopify, WooCommerce, Salesforce, Magento, BigCommerce. Involves a multi-step technical process for merchants to onboard themselves.
Integrates with merchants on Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce. It also supports fast 10-day onboarding and automated vendor payouts.
Enables marketplaces by sourcing partner dropshippers and third-party dropshippers to build distribution channels and automate wholesale, manufacturing, and retail operations.
Marketplace-specific integrations
Most marketplaces offer APIs that provide read-only access to specific merchant’s store data and automate ordering. This includes the Shopify Storefront API, Salesforce Commerce API, Amazon SP API, Medusa Store API, Magento Storefront API, eBay Browse API, and AliExpress API.
APIs to fetch product data only
Access web-scraped, up-to-date product data that you can simply plug-and-play for your app’s inventory. Note that these APIs do not have the rails to programmatically send orders back to merchants.
Offers integration with their web-scraped Amazon product data using their API, including product information, images, pricing, and availability etc.
Sync Axesso’s web-scraped product data from Amazon, Walmart, Otto, Alibaba, etc. They also offer data from social media sources like Facebook and Instagram.
APIs to fetch merchant data
Bonus category of APIs that give you metadata on eCommerce merchants. Although not essential for building your MVP shopping experience, they are useful starting points for your product search and help you monitor eCommerce trends.
REST APIs to query their database of information on over 12mil eCommerce stores, with over 40 attributes tracked.
Integrate and query Charm’s database of over 4mil eCommerce stores including growth trends and successful brands.
APIs to build a search experience
Enable shoppers to discover their desired products. Maximize conversion and AOV.
Integrate AI-powered, personalized product search and recommendation for your app. Algolia API offers search-as-a-service, readily integrated with most marketplaces like Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento, and Salesforce.
The Product Recommendations API allows businesses to incorporate personalized product recommendations throughout the shopping journey, suggesting related or complementary items to customers.