How to Use Magento Shopping Cart API?
Tags: api, programming
Published: 2023-02-21 12:51:55

eCommerce businesses usually use different software and applications to power their online stores, which may be built with different shopping platforms.

Many e-stores are listed on various shopping platforms, including Magento, Shopify, Wix, BigCommerce, Ecwid, OpenCart and many others. 

Software providers who want to work with e-retailers that use Magento must develop integration with this platform and use its Application Programming Interface (API).

The Magento shopping cart API allows third-party applications to access the store's products, orders, and customer data. Here we'll look at how the API works and what features it offers.

## What is The Meaning of API?

An [Application Programming Interface](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/API) (API) is a set of instructions and specifications that allow two pieces of software to communicate. The API acts as a go-between. It ensures that data flows back and forth so that each app can understand and work with the data appropriately. An API helps businesses create faster and smoother systems by providing them with a convenient solution for integration projects.

The API is a set of tools that allows third-party eCommerce software to access data from shopping platforms and use it in their core functions. For example, the Magento shopping cart API allows developers to build applications that retrieve information about orders, products, and customers by sending requests.

API requests are a method of communication between an application and an API that expedites the process of developers accessing content or data. This streamlines the process for software developers, who can quickly access the information their applications need.

The Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) and Representational State Transfer (REST) are two types of APIs available for use. SOAP utilizes XML to pass messages, allowing for communication between two programs over the Internet. REST simplifies communication by utilizing HTTP requests such as PUT, GET, and POST. This makes it easier to read.

## The Specifics of Magento Shopping Cart API?

The Magento API offers developers and integrators robust tools to link their software with Magento stores. It can be referred to as an intermediary that allows an application or software to connect with Magento stores.

The Magento platform offers two API options, SOAP and REST, which both allow developers to interact with data in the eCommerce platform.

[Magento SOAP API](https://developer.adobe.com/commerce/webapi/get-started/soap-web-api-calls/) (Simple Object Access Protocol) allows developers and integrators to connect the Magento store with third-party services by transmitting information over the internet. Magento SOAP API uses XML and web service protocols such as HTTP to access Magento data remotely.

The [Magento REST API](https://devdocs.magento.com/redoc/2.3/) provides a streamlined way to bridge the gap between users and external services. It offers developers a simple yet powerful way to create integration processes, with functions that can be accessed through HTTP requests, containing authentication and instruction headers, HTTP verbs such as GET, POST, PUT or DELETE, as well as endpoints for Uniform Resource Indicators (URI).

## The Benefits of Receiving Access to Magento API

For software providers, [integrating with the Magento API](https://api2cart.com/supported-platforms/magento-integration/?utm_source=dev.to&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=magentoshoppingcartapin.kov) is an important step when introducing their solutions to merchants using Magento.

The Magento API allows developers to access product data, order data, customer data, and other information that can be incorporated into eCommerce software.

For example, multi-channel software relies on Magento order data to track and ship orders. Likewise, shipping management systems use Magento order data to allow users to monitor inventory levels and create shipments.

## How to Develop Magento Integration?

API2Cart is a service that connects eСommerce software to more than 40 popular shopping platforms and marketplaces at once. The list includes industry giants such as Magento, WooCommerce, Wix and Amazon.

![magento integration](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/de9szzdlgfdjd48qsil3.png)

This service provides a unified API that allows you to access data from multiple shopping platforms simultaneously, eliminating the need for developing separate integrations. In addition, it offers more than 100 API methods to manage orders, products, customers, and shipments.

It is possible to register a free account on the service and test all of its functionality for a month for free. You will be able to access, add, delete and sync your clients’ e-store data related to prices, products, orders, shipping details, customers’ info, taxes, etc. 

This integration service is a good option for such software solutions: inventory management systems, shipping software, WMS, ERP systems, etc.