How can I integrate a third party supplier app with my online store?

Shopify Apps
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Topic summary

Goal: connect a small supplier (no Shopify app) to sync products (inventory/variants) and shipping.

Data available: supplier offers database exports via HTML, Excel/XML (images show three download links). No automated feed confirmed; appears manual downloads are required.

Proposed approaches:

  • Custom integration: create a private app (uses API keys) that reads supplier data and syncs with Shopify. Requires supplier documentation on database access.
  • Semi-manual workflows: send orders by email/CSV; receive daily CSVs for inventory/pricing; use SOPs until scaling justifies full automation.
  • Mix of apps:
    • Shipping rates: JsRates (shipping rate engine). Can read live XML for rate calculations; requires carrier-calculated rates enabled. Does not sync inventory/prices.
    • Inventory/pricing: Stock Sync for ongoing updates.
    • Product import/export: Matrixify for bulk uploads.
  • Automation option if supplier supports it: MESA templates for updating inventory from CSV on an FTP server. Current setup lacks FTP; only manual link downloads noted.

Key terms: CSV (Comma-Separated Values), FTP (File Transfer Protocol), API (application interface), SOP (standard procedure).

Status: unresolved/ongoing. Next steps: confirm supplier delivery method (API/FTP vs manual), obtain docs, choose between custom build vs app-based/partial manual solution.

Summarized with AI on January 1. AI used: gpt-5.
5

If your supplier provides a spreadsheet for shipping rate, we can help you setup the rates on your store using our app, JsRates. JsRates has free demo plan; install it and reach out to our support team for free setup service.

To sync inventory from a database, you might find Stock Sync app handy: https://apps.shopify.com/stock-sync

To upload products to your store, Matrixify app might be useful: https://apps.shopify.com/excel-export-import