For online retailers, application programming interface (API) integrations are a valuable tool. They provide several convenient functions for both consumers and the business owners themselves. For those just getting into the space, API integrations are when an application allows another application to access some of its data and protocols, allowing for quick and easy data sharing and embedded functions.

For example, a shipping API integration can be added to an eCommerce site to handle shipping and give pricing estimates for deliveries.

Today we will review some API integration companies and which could suit your business.

What are the Best API Integration Companies?

When deciding which API integrations to add to a website, business owners should know what the best API integration companies have to offer. We have created a list of our favorites here:

• Shopify
• Square
• Amazon
• PayPal
• Skeps

Let’s discuss each and why they are so helpful to retailers selling merchandise online.

Shopify

Shopify is one of the largest eCommerce platforms in the world, and its API integrations are incredibly versatile. It is known for how easy it is to use on both the side of the business owner and the consumer. It is an all-inclusive online shopping API, including an administrator API and a storefront API. As a bonus, it is free to use. Although, there are some features that users must pay to unlock.

Square

Square's API is a robust payment API that allows online retailers to quickly and efficiently process payments using credit cards, debit cards, crypto, and almost any other form of payment. Increasing the number of ways consumers can pay makes it far easier to grow as a business, especially in high-volume markets.

The fact that all of these different payment methods can be processed using a single API is exceptional, as many websites have to offer several different payment paths to accommodate alternative purchase methods like cryptocurrency. This adds friction to the sales process that businesses should be happy to avoid with the Square API.

Amazon

Amazon is another eCommerce goliath that offers an API. by allowing users access to some of Amazon’s backend protocols, they are able to offer integrations that provide a relatively unmatched level of simplicity, convenience, and speed in their purchase process. The quality of this API is not only served well by amazon’s experience as a massive online marketplace but also as a web hosting platform in Amazon Web Services.

PayPal

For those looking to go beyond payment with their API integrations, PayPal offers the representational state transfer (REST) eCommerce API. Through this integration, businesses can not only collect payments, but can also handle invoicing, subscriptions, and disputes. They also offer features like financing, barcode scanning, and check fraud detection.

Skeps

There is no more comprehensive platform for eCommerce financing than Skeps’ POS financing platform. This integration allows consumers access to a full library of financing options, including the following:

• Buy now, pay later (BNPL)
• Store credit cards
• Consumer loans
• Leases

We also offer a variety of helpful features. One of those is omnichannel integration, meaning our platform can integrate with any website, app, or billing system. We also offer one-click financing applications to ensure a frictionless application experience and unmatched speed of approval to keep customers from getting stuck waiting for a response. In addition, we work with a network of quality lenders, which assures consumers that they will always be presented with the best offer possible.

On the business side, our customizable dashboards collect and display any metrics that business owners would be interested in tracking, and users have complete control over which metrics are available at first glance. This gives sellers ultimate control over the function and the data reporting available through the platform.

Skeps is the only true end-to-end POS financing platform, and we offer the best possible consumer financing experience for retailers of any size.