Elastic Path eCommerce API: Unleash your Imagination

API stands for Application Programming Interface. Put simply, they allow different systems (CMS, UI, Search, PIM) and services (cart, catalog, pricing, etc.) to communicate through a standard interface. The current industry standard is RESTful APIs using the existing HTTP protocol for all data transfer and functionality requirements.

In an eCommerce context, APIs provide programmatic access to services like shopping carts, catalog management, checkout flows, payments, etc. Older legacy eCommerce software utilizes a monolithic architecture where all these services share a single code-base and database. Newer options follow a more robust and performant micro-services design, since there is a logical separation, no data is shared, in these solutions APIs provide communication between distinct services to streamline functionality. For example, the cart service will query the catalog API for the full product details when adding a product ID to the cart. APIs will facilitate communication anywhere that data needs to be transferred to another microservice. Beyond internal communication between commerce services, eCommerce APIs facilitate external communication to your chosen frontend, third-party integrations, etc.

API-led connectivity can be utilized to create cohesive omnichannel experiences for customers along multiple touchpoints, brand, and geos. For example, using an eCommerce API platform with Elastic Path created a mobile experience that allowed customers to use their phone in-store to scan products, add to cart and check-out. Increasing the speed of in-store checkout exponentially and creating a better buying experience and improved employee to customer engagement.

eCommerce APIs increase profits by decreasing costs and increasing conversion rates. Save time, money, and resources on developer work with eCommerce APIs. APIs can be consumed with any programming language, so rather than hiring dedicated specialists, developers can customize the solution with their existing skills. Utilizing a single API backend for mobile, desktop, social, and all customer touchpoints creates a consistent experience with less management and data syncing. With less code than customizing an all-in-one software, you can empower your business users to rapidly unleash unique commerce experiences. In turn, you’ll increase conversion and revenue as you deliver the modern experiences your customers expect.

Microservices can be updated, deployed, optimized, and scaled independently. As a result, microservice based architectures can handle significantly more traffic and maintain faster response times than monolithic counterparts. Loosely coupled microservices also allow developers to pick and choose the building blocks required for each unique project rather than being tied down with dependencies. Choosing best-of-breed components is a core tenant of composable commerce solutions and ensures a final experience tailored to your specific business needs. Having decoupled APIs makes a strangler pattern deployment possible, mitigating any migration risks and delivering business value earlier in the project timeline.