Understanding BigCommerce API: Benefits and Drawbacks

Running an online store can be complicated, but using the right tools can make things easier. One tool that can improve your store’s performance is the BigCommerce API. APIs are like bridges that allow different systems to connect and share information. The API for BigCommerce helps store owners and developers automate tasks, connect with other platforms, and offer customers a smooth shopping experience.

But like any tool, it has its benefits and drawbacks. In this blog post, we’ll explore both, helping you understand how this system works, when to use it, and what to look out for. By the end of this article, you’ll know how it can improve your business and if it’s worth implementing.

What is the BigCommerce API?

The BigCommerce API is a bridge that allows your online store to communicate with other software and platforms, enabling automation and enhanced functionality. Whether you’re looking to integrate payment systems, connect with marketing tools, or improve customer management, the tool helps you achieve this without relying on manual processes. According to McKinsey, companies with effective API programs can reduce development costs by up to 41% while increasing the number of new product releases by twelvefold. APIs make the digital world more connected and efficient. In this section, we’ll break down what BigCommerce’s API is, why it’s used, and how it can benefit your store.

APIs make the digital world more connected and efficient. In this section, we’ll explain Bigcommerce’s API, why it’s used, and how it can benefit your store.

Definition and Purpose

At its core, an API is like a messenger between different software systems, allowing them to share data and perform actions without human intervention. The BigCommerce API does this for your online store, enabling the eCommerce platform to work smoothly with other applications. As of 2023, Statista estimates that the API economy will contribute over $1 trillion in economic value by 2030, underscoring its growing importance in digital infrastructure. APIs allow businesses to save time and improve efficiency by streamlining various processes.

Purpose of the API: The tool’s primary purpose is to enable seamless communication between your BigCommerce store and other apps. Whether it’s sending customer data to a marketing tool or receiving payment confirmations from a third-party system, the API ensures that everything happens smoothly and efficiently.
Data Access and Sharing: APIs allow your store to access data from other systems, including order details, product inventories, customer profiles, and more. This exchange of information is vital for maintaining real-time accuracy.
Improved Workflow: The system reduces the workload for store owners and employees by automating manual processes like updating inventories, sending order confirmation emails, and adjusting prices, making operations faster and more accurate.

APIs are crucial for any growing business because they allow you to expand your operations without increasing the amount of manual work.

Types of APIs Offered by BigCommerce

BigCommerce offers two key API types: REST and GraphQL. Each has different strengths and is suited to specific tasks, depending on your store’s needs.

REST API: The REST API is the standard method for interacting with data on BigCommerce. It allows developers to perform various actions, from retrieving product information to managing customer orders. REST APIs are simple to use and widely supported by developers across many platforms.
GraphQL API: GraphQL is a newer API technology that allows you to request specific data. Unlike REST, which might give you more data than needed, GraphQL lets you ask for exactly what you want and nothing more. This makes it faster and more efficient, especially when dealing with large datasets.

Practical use cases for each:

REST API Use Case: If you need to pull all customer data to send targeted email campaigns or update product details across your catalog, REST is ideal because it is simple.
GraphQL API Use Case: GraphQL lets you load only specific data on your storefront, like product names and prices, without extra details without slowing down performance.

Both types of APIs offer unique benefits, and many businesses use them together to create a flexible, efficient system that handles everything from customer orders to inventory management.

Key Benefits of BigCommerce API

There are numerous advantages to using the BigCommerce API. It provides opportunities for automation, better security, flexibility in scaling, and seamless integration with other tools. These benefits not only make running your store easier but can also help improve customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Enhanced Security for Transactions

Security is a priority for any eCommerce store, especially when handling sensitive data like customer payment information and personal details. The API provides an added layer of security to ensure safe transactions and data protection.

Control Over Data Access: With the API, store owners can control who has access to sensitive data and what kind of actions they can perform. This prevents unauthorized users from accessing important customer or transaction information.
Data Encryption: The API helps ensure that any data exchanged between systems is encrypted, making it difficult for hackers or third parties to intercept the information.
Permissions and Role Management: You can set up specific permissions for your employees or other users, allowing them to access only the information they need for their tasks.
Audit Trails: APIs can track and log activity, helping you monitor who is accessing your system and what changes they are making.
Fraud Prevention: By integrating third-party fraud detection tools through the API, store owners can catch suspicious orders or payments before they become a problem.

Overall, using the API makes your store more secure by giving you more control over data flow and access.

Scalability and Flexibility

As your store grows, you need systems that can grow with it. BigCommerce’s API is built for scalability, allowing you to handle more traffic, products, and customers without breaking a sweat.

Efficient Scaling: Whether you’re expanding your product catalog or increasing your daily transactions, the API allows you to scale your store without rebuilding your systems completely.
Integrating New Features: When you need to add new functions or tools, like a customer review system or a new payment method, the API makes it easy to plug these into your existing setup.
No Major System Changes: The API allows you to continue growing your store without overhauling your backend. You simply connect new tools through the API to keep up with demand.
Flexibility for Custom Solutions: If you need a specific feature that BigCommerce doesn’t offer natively, you can use the API to build custom solutions tailored to your business.
Handling High Traffic: The API ensures that your store continues to function smoothly without bottlenecks even during high-traffic events like sales or promotions.

This flexibility allows businesses to grow and adapt without worrying about outgrowing their platform.

Easy Integration with Third-Party Apps

One major benefit of using this tool is its ability to integrate with third-party apps that can enhance your store’s functionality. These integrations help automate workflows, manage inventory, and create a better customer experience.

Connecting Shipping Platforms: BigCommerce integrates with shipping tools like ShipStation and EasyShip, helping you automatically manage orders and shipping rates.
Marketing Automation: With apps like Mailchimp or Klaviyo BigCommerce Integration, you can connect your store to marketing platforms for automated email campaigns based on customer behavior.
Accounting Tools: Integrating with accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero makes financial reporting and bookkeeping much easier.
Inventory Management: Connect with third-party tools to manage stock across multiple platforms or locations, ensuring that your inventory stays accurate.
Customer Service Tools: By connecting with apps like Zendesk or Intercom, you can improve your customer service with automated responses and better ticket management.

This tool makes it easy to link your store to all the apps you need, keeping everything running smoothly without constant manual input.

Reusability Across Platforms

One of the most useful aspects of the BigCommerce API is its ability to be reused across multiple platforms. Once you set up an API integration, you can apply it across your other stores or business ventures, making it easier to expand without starting from scratch.

Multichannel Selling: If you sell on platforms like Amazon, eBay, or Etsy, the API allows you to manage all your channels from one central location.
Consistent Data Management: The API ensures that product data, customer information, and order details remain consistent across all platforms you sell on.
Reduced Development Costs: By reusing your existing API integrations, you save on development time and costs when expanding to new platforms.
Centralized Control: Managing multiple stores or sales channels becomes easier when you can control everything from one dashboard using API integrations.
Cross-Platform Promotions: Run promotions or sales across all your platforms simultaneously, ensuring consistency and saving time.

With reusable API code, expanding your business into new markets or platforms becomes a smoother process.

Drawbacks of BigCommerce API

Despite its many advantages, the BigCommerce API has some limitations that store owners should know. These include beginners’ learning curve, advanced API usage costs, and certain native limitations.

Steep Learning Curve for Beginners

While the integration tool is powerful, it can be difficult to use for those without technical experience. The complexity of setting up integrations and automating processes can be overwhelming for beginners.

Need for Coding Knowledge: Many API functions require you to have some coding skills or hire a developer to implement them effectively.
Complex Documentation: The API documentation can be technical and difficult to understand for those new to eCommerce or software development.
Time-Consuming Setup: Setting up custom integrations and automations can take time, especially if you’re learning as you go.
Developer Assistance: Store owners without coding knowledge may need to hire a developer or use a consultant to fully benefit from the API.
Learning APIs Takes Time: Even for experienced users, getting the most out of the API can take weeks or months, depending on the complexity of your needs.

For businesses without in-house technical expertise, the API for BigCommerce may require additional resources to fully leverage.

Using the BigCommerce API can sometimes come with additional costs, especially when you want to unlock advanced features or higher levels of integration.

API Call Limits: Depending on the plan you’re on, BigCommerce imposes limits on the number of API calls you can make each hour. Exceeding this limit may incur extra costs.
Higher Pricing Tiers: Some API features are only available on higher pricing tiers, which may increase your monthly fees.
Third-Party App Costs: Many third-party tools that you connect via the API come with their own subscription fees, which can add up over time.
Developer Costs: If you need custom API work, hiring a developer can be expensive, especially if your integration needs are complex.
Potential Upgrade Costs: If your store grows and you exceed the sales limit of your plan, you may need to upgrade to a higher tier, leading to increased costs.

These costs can add up quickly, so it’s essential to plan your budget carefully when considering extensive API usage.

Limited Native Tools

The API for BigCommerce is flexible, but certain features you might expect to be included as standard are not available without third-party apps. This can lead to added complexity and cost.

No Built-In Email Marketing: Unlike some competitors, BigCommerce doesn’t have native email marketing tools, so you’ll need to integrate a third-party service.
No Subscription Management: BigCommerce doesn’t offer native subscription management for recurring payments or subscriptions, so you’ll need to rely on external apps.
Limited Advanced Filtering: For stores with a large product catalog, advanced filtering options are essential. However, you may need to develop custom solutions or integrate a third-party app for this functionality.
App Store Limitations: Compared to other platforms like Shopify, the BigCommerce app store has fewer options for specialized tools or features.
Manual Adjustments Needed: In some cases, store owners may need to make manual adjustments to product listings or customer orders that cannot be automated natively through the API.

While these limitations aren’t deal-breakers for everyone, they do mean that you’ll likely need to rely on third-party apps for a fully customized solution.

When to Use the BigCommerce API

The BigCommerce API is a valuable tool, but it’s not always necessary for every store. Knowing when to use the API and when to stick with native features can save you time and resources.

Ideal Scenarios for API Integration

There are many situations where the BigCommerce API can significantly enhance your store’s operations and overall efficiency.

Complex Inventory Management: If you have a large product catalog or sell on multiple channels, the API can help you manage inventory more effectively.
Custom Checkout Experiences: The API can enable you to create a custom checkout flow with personalized options for your customers.
Automated Marketing Campaigns: Use the API to sync customer data with your marketing platform, allowing for personalized campaigns based on customer behavior.
Advanced Reporting and Analytics: The API can pull detailed data from your store by integrating with reporting tools, helping you make data-driven decisions.
Multichannel Selling: If you’re selling on multiple platforms, the API can sync your product listings and order information across all your sales channels.

In these scenarios, the API can greatly simplify complex tasks and automate time-consuming processes.

Situations to Avoid API Use

While the BigCommerce’s API is a great tool, there are times when using it might not be necessary or worth the effort.

Small Stores with Simple Needs: If your store is small and doesn’t require complex integrations, the native BigCommerce features might be enough for you.
Lack of Technical Expertise: If you don’t have experience with APIs or coding, and don’t want to hire a developer, the API might feel overwhelming.
Low Sales Volume: For stores with low sales volume or simple products, using the API might not offer enough benefits to justify the effort.
Limited Budget: If your budget doesn’t allow for third-party apps or developer support, it may be better to stick with the built-in features of BigCommerce.

For small or new stores, it may be more practical to start with BigCommerce’s native tools and only explore the API when your business grows and requires more advanced solutions.

How GritGlobal’s Atom8 Automates BigCommerce for Optimal Performance

Managing a BigCommerce store can involve a lot of repetitive tasks, from updating inventories to sending customer notifications. GritGlobal’s Atom8 – BigCommerce Automation is designed to automate these processes, allowing you to focus on more important aspects of your business. By integrating with the BigCommerce API, this tool from GritGlobal helps reduce the manual workload and streamlines your store’s operations.

Automation for Efficiency: Atom8 automates tasks like updating product prices based on stock levels, managing inventory, and sending notifications to customers when their orders ship.
Automated Workflows: You can set up workflows that automate various processes, like adjusting prices when certain stock thresholds are reached or triggering email campaigns when customers make a purchase.
Inventory Management: Atom8 helps ensure that your inventory is always up to date, even when stock is running low. It can automatically update stock levels across all your platforms or mark products as “backordered” when necessary.
Integration with Third-Party Apps: The app integrates with tools like Google Sheets, Slack, and ShipStation, allowing you to keep all your important information in sync across multiple apps.
Customer Personalization: With this tool, you can create personalized experiences for your customers by automating segmentation and sending targeted email campaigns based on customer behavior.

By using Atom8 alongside the API, you can streamline your operations and free up more time for business growth.

Conclusion

The BigCommerce API is a powerful tool that can improve your store’s functionality, enhance security, and automate essential processes. However, it has some drawbacks, such as a steep learning curve and additional costs, which may not be suitable for every store. For those willing to invest in API integrations, the benefits are clear: better scalability, easy third-party app connections, and time-saving automation. To get the most out of your BigCommerce store, consider leveraging automation tools like GritGlobal’s Atom8. By automating repetitive tasks, managing inventory, and creating personalized customer experiences, Atom8 can help your store run more efficiently and smoothly. Contact us today to learn how we can optimize your BigCommerce store for success.