What is PrestaShop Integration?
Tags: programming, webdev, api
Published: 2022-07-05 11:49:40

Developing a [PrestaShop integration](https://api2cart.com/supported-platforms/prestashop-integration/?utm_source=dev.to&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=prestashopintegrationn.kov) is a must-have for eCommerce software and application providers that want to target this platform's large base of users. In Europe, PrestaShop has the greatest market share in France and Poland; it also thrives in Germany, Spain, and Italy. However, most of its sites are located in the United States—[almost 80k live sites](https://trends.builtwith.com/shop/PrestaShop).

![PrestaShop-Usage-Statistics_builtwith](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/1f8588idiidrcpsbkec7.png)

In this article, we’ll look at the PrestaShop API in-depth, and we’ll show you how to properly integrate your eCommerce software or application with this platform. Let’s start by looking at the specific features of this platform.

## What You Need to Know about PrestaShop

[PrestaShop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PrestaShop) is an expansive, freemium eCommerce platform that allows developers to upload their own open-source code. Unlike many other platforms out there, PrestaShop is written in the PHP programming language and uses MySQL as its database management system.

Since its founding in 2005, this open-source solution has focused on creating a superior experience for sellers and developers. The team has released 300+ built-in features for managing payments, product listings, suppliers, manufacturers, and shipments. 

PrestaShop is free to use, which helps save money for business owners when they open up their online stores here. The platform also offers a high degree of customization, which means developers can build functional websites that meet clients’ expectations.

Thanks to the numerous themes available, site owners can select the best appearance for their shops. Additionally, the easy-to-use development code enables developers to provide a superior user experience. PrestaShop is currently used by more than 300,000 shops worldwide and is available in 60 different languages.

## What is PrestaShop API?

In order to develop a [PrestaShop integration](https://api2cart.com/api-technology/integration-for-prestashop/) that works and enables you to work with your clients' data, it is essential to understand the specifics of the PrestaShop API. Basically, using an API, or [Application Programming Interface](https://www.mulesoft.com/resources/api/what-is-an-api), allows you as a software developer to gain direct access to all of the data used by your clients who build their shops on PrestaShop. This means that you will be able to work with product, [order](https://api2cart.com/api-technology/prestashop-api-get-orders/), inventory and shipping data.

The [PrestaShop API](https://devdocs.prestashop.com/1.7/webservice/getting-started/) uses the REST (Representational State Transfer) architecture. It employs the HTTP protocol and XML files to facilitate connections with any type of API. Four main methods are used to work with data on PrestaShop: POST, GET, PUT, and DELETE. These methods can be used to describe resources, read resources, create resources, and update them.

![prestashop_api](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/p14m6h4u1omgup9692lq.png)

In addition to XML output, the PrestaShop API also supports JSON output. [Some tutorials](https://devdocs.prestashop.com/1.7/webservice/tutorials/) can help you understand more about the specific PrestaShop API implementation details. Of course, going deeper into this is not mandatory. However, what is essential for you to understand is that without a working PrestaShop integration, you won’t be able to work with your clients’ data stored on this platform, so you’ll miss out on over 300k potential clients that are using PrestaShop.

## What is the Meaning of PrestaShop API Integration?

PrestaShop integration offers eCommerce software businesses several benefits. A manual or automatic connection between your software and this platform allows you to utilize the PrestaShop platform's features in your own application, creating a new experience for customers.

Once you connect to this shopping platform, you’ll be able to manage PrestaShop data related to products, orders, customers, categories, and more.

The following are some of the benefits of integrating PrestaShop with your eCommerce software:

- Gain access to over 300k eCommerce shop owners using this platform
- Expand your software capabilities and your services by seeing what your customers need from you
- Enjoy happier clientele by offering bespoke services targeted to their unique needs
- Use important data that can help you better serve your clients

## How to Integrate with PrestaShop Easily?

To integrate your shipping management, inventory management solution, data feed management application, marketing automation system, repricing software, or any other type of eCommerce tool with PrestaShop, you can simply use API2Cart as an intermediary between the two applications.

API2Cart provides a seamless way to connect your eCommerce software with PrestaShop. They have performed more than hundreds of integrations between eCommerce software and apps and PrestaShop while providing complete tech support and assistance. What’s more, their unified API allows you to easily integrate your software not just with PrestaShop but with 40+ other shopping platforms.

This integration solution offers flexible pricing, with a 30-day free trial of the service. If you're interested in finding out how it can help you perform integration with PrestaShop, contact one of its managers for more information.

You can also develop PrestaShop integration on your own. However, it can take a lot of your developers’ time needed for the previous investigation of the platform, the actual process of integration development, and the further integration maintenance and support.

So, it’s your choice to develop the connection with PrestaShop in-house or via a third-party integration service. But it definitely should be considered if you want to propose your software to PrestaShop users.