Managing the shipping and delivery of orders on a different platform can create more confusion and become difficult to track. It can result in dissatisfaction among customers and delayed services.
The solution is a shipping API integrated with your eCommerce.
A shipping API (Application Programmable Interface) helps eCommerce businesses track, ship, and deliver customer orders through a system integrated with their eCommerce platform.
In this article, we’ll see how shipping API can be integrated with eCommerce and what benefits it offers.
Integrating Shipping API with eCommerce
Integrate your shipping API with your eCommerce platform for smooth management of orders throughout the process of order download in the system to its delivery to the customers.
Choose the shipping API that suits your eCommerce requirements by gauging it on the basis of the features it offers, the user-friendliness of its system, and the pricing. Here are the shipping APIs that you can integrate with your eCommerce.
1. EasyPost API
EasyPost majorly focuses on eliminating logistic problems for businesses. So, the API aims to make the usage very easy by providing all the information required by the third-party application in its documentation. It even provides sample codes and relevant examples to make the integration process simple.
This API uses HTTP protocol and uses HTTP GET to retrieve data whereas HTTP POST to create, update or delete data. The API can be integrated with various other shipping APIs.
Source: easypost
2. USPS API
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is managed by the executive branch of the US government. Web-based and shrink-wrapped developers can access the online services of USPS using the USPS API and ship products to their customers. The protocol used and data management of this API is similar to the one used by Easypost.
USPS API might not be very suitable for you if you are just starting out. The API provides a very limited resource that you may use.
Source: USPS.com
3. FedEx API
FedEx is known for its fast services and providing an efficient order tracking system. The FedEx API helps integrate eCommerce with the FedEx system to manage orders from creating labels to tracking, delivering, and returning them. It also helps you generate reports on the number of orders at each stage of the delivery process.
OAuth 2.0 provides authentication and authorization to the API. FedEx API uses HTTP over SSL protocol for effective data update and management. It is easy to use and has all the information for smooth integration with third-party applications.
Source: FedEx
Benefits Of Integrating Shipping API And eCommerce
Integrating your shipping API and eCommerce helps your business manage order delivery in a better and more efficient manner. Here’s how it benefits your eCommerce business:
- Track packages: Track where your package is in real-time and know exactly when the order is going to reach your customers to give them an accurate estimate. Get notified with every update and track the movement of the order.
- Access multiple carriers: Some shipping APIs allow you to integrate multiple carriers with eCommerce. So, you can compare the shipping charges and other costs and select the one that fits your requirements.
- Provide faster delivery: Compare the time taken by each carrier service to deliver orders and give faster delivery to your customers to ensure maximum satisfaction.
- Manage order data better: Integrating your eCommerce and shipping API helps you manage data at one place. It lets you get a better overview of the orders and the inventory levels.
- Handle international orders: Integrate the shipping API with your eCommerce and handle all international orders directly from your system. It will let you access all the necessary custom information required for shipping internationally.
Wrapping Up
24 Seven Commerce’s Octopus Bridge can help you integrate your traditional brick-and-mortar store with your eCommerce so that you have access to accurate data and inventory levels in real-time. This will help you efficiently accept, process, and track orders after integrating eCommerce with a shipping API.
So, upscale your eCommerce by giving your customers better services and experience.
