by Dave McEvoy, CEO, DMAC Media
In today’s retail environment, ecommerce is no longer a “nice to have” – it’s essential.
Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Squarespace have made selling online more accessible than ever. But for many business owners, launching the store is just the beginning. Once you start gaining traction, you’ll likely want your ecommerce setup to sync with other vital systems like your EPOS, accounting software, or inventory tools. And that’s where the road gets bumpy.
So why are ecommerce integrations so challenging, and how can you overcome them without drowning in complexity or cost?
Why are ecommerce platforms critical?
Online selling isn’t just convenient; it’s the heart of modern retail. 34% of shoppers shop online at least once a week and over 20% of all purchases in 2025 are expected to be online. With footfall on the high street unpredictable and customer attention spans shrinking, having a sleek, fast, and functional online store can make or break a business.
Platforms like Shopify and Squarespace enable sellers to set up stores quickly, test products, adjust pricing, and gather data, all without huge up-front investment. These ecommerce tools are perfect for the “fail fast” approach: get a product out there, gauge the response, adjust as necessary.
While business giants like Amazon feel like they’re taking over the world, statistics suggest there’s also a significant appetite for shopping locally. A strong online presence allows independent retailers to compete with global giants while preserving their brand’s personality.
The real challenge: Integration
Setting up an ecommerce store is the easy part. The real complexity begins when sellers try to make their ecommerce platform talk to the rest of their business systems.
At first, it might seem straightforward. Platforms like Shopify are designed to be plug-and-play, great for startups and small businesses. But as the business grows, so does the need for automation and efficiency.
Suddenly, you’re looking to:
• Sync inventory levels with your EPOS system
• Push order details into your accounting software
• Automate invoices and customer communication
Even small efficiency savings can have a massive impact. Automating simple workflows like pulling sales data into your accounting system can save a business owner £15,000–£30,000 annually in time and labour.
That’s where things start to get complicated. These systems often speak different “languages,” and unless you have someone to build a “translator,” the integration stalls.
APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are supposed to be the bridge between platforms. They let two systems exchange information. But just having an API isn’t enough, you need someone who understands both systems and can build that bridge effectively. That’s what we refer to as a translator, and the job requires a combination of developer insight and business fluency.
The path to seamless integration
The good news? Integration is perfectly achievable – if you follow the right approach.
First, ensure both platforms you’re integrating (e.g., Shopify and Xero) have good APIs. A well-documented API is half the battle won. Ask vendors to provide their developer or API documentation. The clearer and more comprehensive it is, the easier integration will be.
Next, map your data. This is where many integrations go wrong. One system might call a product field “Stock Volume” while the other calls it “Stock Quantity.” You’ll need to translate those fields and define exactly what data gets shared, how often, and in what direction.
Even for experienced web development teams, getting a robust integration up and running can take 1–2 full days of work – sometimes longer, depending on complexity. It’s crucial to test your own system thoroughly before going live, no matter who handles the integration. No one knows your products, customers, or data better than you.
Don’t skimp on security
As with all things digital, security matters, especially when you’re transmitting sensitive customer or financial data.
Ecommerce APIs like Shopify’s are well-secured, using a combination of API keys, shared secrets, and other tools, to ensure only verified users can access the data. A proper API setup won’t let you pull information unless you authenticate securely and prove that your system has the relevant permissions.
The alternative is an open API that lets anyone with the URL grab your data. That’s a ticking time bomb. Publicly available data like product pricing is one thing, but when names, addresses, and bank details are involved, security must be bulletproof. Always confirm that both systems support secure transmission.
Conclusion
Getting your ecommerce platform integrated with your other business tools isn’t just a technical task, it’s a strategic one. The right integration can reduce errors, speed up operations, improve customer experience, and save significant costs. But the wrong one can have you wishing you just left it alone.
But don’t be intimidated by the complexity. Ask the right questions, get the right support, and remember: every minute saved through automation is one you can spend growing your business.