An Application Programming Interface (API) is an intermediary between two software or applications that allow them to transfer various types of data. The primary purpose of an API is to enable the two applications to communicate with each other in a standard way.

For example, when you use a web-based application on your smartphone, the information you enter is sent to a server. This server retrieves the data, interprets it, performs the desired action, and sends it back to your device. This data is then analyzed and presented by the application you are using. All of this happens through an API.

Marketplace APIs allow eCommerce software developers to connect their software with marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Walmart, and others. By doing so, applications can programmatically retrieve data related to orders, categories, customers, and products. Such data allows the eCommerce software to perform its core functionality and help e-retailers streamline their eCommerce operations.

The top 8 most popular marketplace APIs are:

1. eBay API
2. Amazon API
3. Walmart API
4. MercadoLibre API
5. Etsy API
6. Flipkart API
7. Aliexpress API
8. Shopee API

Let’s read about these APIs in detail.

8 Top Marketplace APIs

1. eBay API

eBay is one of the top online marketplaces in the world. It has over 175 million active monthly users.

eBay API allows you to access a plethora of features in addition to search, buy, sell, and other eCommerce activities. Multiple programs can be created and managed by developers within a single interface. They can access the Sell APIs of eBay to manage an eBay online store end-to-end.

2. Amazon API

Amazon is currently the world’s biggest online retail store. Amazon API enables third-party developers to retrieve information related to lists, orders, payments, and more from the platform. This makes it a preferred choice for eCommerce businesses and software vendors who wish to connect their software with Amazon.

Amazon has over 310 million active monthly users, out of which 90 million are paying Amazon Prime subscribers. You can use Amazon API for free for up to one million API calls. The API is available in countries like India, the USA, China, Japan, Australia, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

3. Walmart API

Walmart has approximately 19,000 active stores in around 27 countries, including the USA, Canada, China, and India, and is an emerging eCommerce giant.

Walmart API is quite simple when compared to other marketplace APIs. It helps eCommerce software developers connect their software to Walmart and manage orders, inventory, prices, and reports more easily.

The Item API and Transaction API are two subgroups of Walmart’s API that help developers connect the system to external software.

4. MercadoLibre API

MercadoLibre is regarded as the largest eCommerce platform in Latin America, with over 200,000 commercial customers and a retailer-buyer chain across 16 countries like Venezuela, Peru, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina.

The feature that makes MercadoLibre API different from others is that it is easy to monetize. Since MercadoLibre is an information technology company and provides an open platform for creating applications for developers, it helps improve the experience for sellers and buyers with its API.

5. Flipkart API

Flipkart is one of India’s leading eCommerce marketplaces. Flipkart features over 80 million products in more than 80 different categories. However, as of now, the service is only available in India.

Flipkart API enables access and exchange of data with the seller’s application with the help of programs. It also easily automates all the processes from orders to shipping.

6. Etsy API

Etsy is yet another popular eCommerce marketplace. It powers over 90,000 websites selling handmade products and accessories, including clothing, bags, home furniture, and decor. It is available in countries like the USA, UK, Australia, France, and Canada.

Etsy API follows a RESTful interface and uses the following four methods to interact with a resource: GET (reading a resource), POST (creating a resource), PUT (updating a resource), and DELETE (deleting a resource).

Etsy API allows the developers to work with public profiles, tags, favorites, shops, listings, and more data on Etsy.

7. AliExpress API

AliExpress is a highly popular marketplace based in China. It is alavilabe in more than 190 countries.

AliExpress API helps in enabling the automation of various eCommerce processes such as product information, presenting it on the platform, and managing the order cycle. It is relatively easy for developers to get authorized access to the data on the marketplace.

8. Shopee API

Shopee provides an easy, secure, and fast experience for its customers. It is available in countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines. There are more than 11,000 sellers across multiple markets on this marketplace.

Shopee Open API offers eCommerce software vendors a wide range of features, including managing orders, products, and online store accounts.

How to Integrate With Marketplace APIs

Integration with marketplace APIs establishes a connection between eCommerce software or app and online marketplaces. This helps the software access all the information related to the marketplaces’ inventory, products, categories, prices, shipping details, etc.

Developing the integration is a daunting and complex task, and there are two ways to approach it:

• In-house integration development: In-house marketplace integration development can be done by hiring a specific development team to build the connection. With this approach, you must train the developers on the nuances of the different marketplaces and clients’ requirements. This requires upfront resources as well as ongoing maintenance to upkeep integrations post-development.
• Third-party integration solution: eCommerce software vendors can partner with third-party solutions to integrate their systems with various marketplaces easily and fast. There is no need to hire separate professionals to develop multiple integrations. This is a much more cost and time-effective option.

Conclusion

The deciding factor in the possible options to develop the integration with marketplace APIs is how you want your software or application to function. eCommerce software providers can either go with in-house integration for some security reasons or pick third-party services to save their money and time!