Online shoppers want the best experience they can get. How can your business deliver it? One approach revolutionizing the e-commerce industry is to utilize commerce APIs.
Short for application programming interface, an API refers to a method of digital
communication among the applications within an e-commerce platform as well as other
platforms and integrated systems. This communication ensures the back-end systems and data of particular software is compatible. Such compatibility enables them to synchronize and directly interact with one another.
The result is an enhanced customer’s experience. Whether this experience takes place on a website or app, the goal is the same: to make it as seamless as possible.
To achieve this, businesses must invest in the right APIs for their desired user xperience, since these technological advancements are designed to fulfill a specific role. Most commonly, the role is to integrate an e-commerce system with a merchant’s website so it can display product and transaction information to the shopper. Another use is to share data regarding customer orders to streamline logistics or update customer information in a CRM system.
A commonly seen API example is the embedded payment gateway integration, “Pay with
PayPal.” By auto-populating financial information from the user’s PayPal account, this API facilitates a faster checkout and payment process.
What else can APIs do for a business and its customers? On top of improving system integration and connectivity, they help leverage third-party algorithms, enable swifter, smoother transactions and can even lead to the creation of new user experiences. APIs also give businesses the power to create shopping experiences tailored to their customers. Such novelty and personalization can become key differentiators from the competition.
Want to learn more about how APIs can improve the customer experience? Please see the accompanying resource for further information.
Related Content