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Why shouldn’t I use the Shopgate Merchant API for a full import of categories and products

  • The Shopgate Merchant API is limited to 150 HTTP requests per hour.
  • It is impossible for Shopgate to restore categories and products imported via the API. With a XML files it is possible to restore the state that has been imported before.
  • Only moderate support in case of errors. It’s much easier to find an error in a XML file.
  • The Merchant API should be used for partial updates only. A full import need to be done with XML files, it’s much faster. Shopgate uses a delta import, so only changed products are imported.
  • If you only connect your shopping system with Shopgate via the Shopgate Merchant API, you cannot offer a login of existing customers from your online shop (Shopgate Connect) and the import of product reviews.
  • Future functionality added to the Shopgate Plugin API or Shopgate Library cannot be used, e.g. checking validity of coupons in your shopping system.

What are the alternatives?

  • Use the Cart Integration SDK (PHP) and implement the Shopgate Plugin API as a plugin (Example Plugin). (recommended)
  • Implement the Shopgate Plugin API yourself if you don’t use PHP. You don’t need to implement all listed methods. It is okay if you only implement the methods you need. (recommended)
  • Just generate a XML file in the specified format (XML) which we are going to import. This way the catalog and categories will be transferred to Shopgate. Nevertheless advanced features like Shopgate Connect to transfer customer data, check_cart to transfer items, prices, availabilities and shipping methods before checkout will only be available by implementing the Shopgate Plugin API.