A webshop-to-ERP integration should do more than forward new orders. The shop, sales office and warehouse must recognise the same transaction. Prices, stock and delivery statuses each have their own sources and rules. Start with the full order lifecycle, including what changes after purchase.
Make product information unambiguous
Check product codes, variants, units and packaging. One box in the shop must not become one individual item in the ERP. Define how discounts, delivery charges and negotiated prices are transferred. Test orders containing different product types, not just one simple test item.
B2B customers may have specific price lists or ordering conditions. Investigate whether both systems can access them at the required moment. The integration should flag missing rules rather than silently invent a replacement.
Define available stock
Physical, reserved and sellable stock are not always identical. Agree which figure the webshop displays and how quickly it must be updated. Test concurrent orders and returns too.
Webhooks can report events without continuously checking for changes. Shopify describes them as a mechanism for receiving information about shop events. Your own process still needs checks for missing or repeated events.
Include difficult orders
- An unknown product code or changed pack size.
- A partial cancellation or delivery.
- An address change after ordering.
- A refund without a physical return.
- A temporarily unavailable ERP.
Make operational handling visible
Show staff whether an order is received, validated, transferred or blocked. Technical status alone is insufficient: explain what needs correction and prevent a retry from creating another order.
Illustrative scenario: a distributor ships from two warehouses. The integration follows agreed allocation rules instead of independently deciding where to fulfil orders. Test those rules with the warehouse owner.
Read about API integration costs or discuss your webshop integration. Technical background: Shopify on webhooks.
Practical guidance by Codewera. Examples are illustrative; the right solution and investment depend on your situation.