A Xero API Connects Your Essential Applications

‍New Zealand-based Xero offers cloud-based accounting solutions. Small- and medium-sized companies use Xero to pay bills, claim expenses, connect to banks, accept payments, manage and track projects, pay employees, track suppliers and customers, and more.

Xero takes care of a plethora of business operations, but it doesn't handle everything. If you're a Xero customer, you may get more out of the software by enlisting an API (application programming interface).

What Exactly is an API?

APIs allow programs to share data back and forth without revealing all their code. It's a connector; think of it as a bridge over water. On one side of the bridge is a landmass called Xero. On the other side is the Land of Applications, where You'll find e-commerce platforms, CRM software, marketing automation platforms, email marketing services, and more. An API means EDI compliance is achieved swiftly, too.

The API allows Xero to share data with all of those other programs. Because APIs work without revealing all of the source code, users feel great about the reduced security risk.

Let's take a look at how an API connects Xero to other vital applications.

E-commerce Platforms

An API can be used to link Xero to your e-commerce platform. Wix, Shopify, BigCommerce, Shift 4 Shop (formerly 3dcart) — there are more than 100 shopping cart programs out there today, and if it has an API, we can connect to it. No longer will you have to take customer data, inventory numbers, and sales information from your online store and import it into Xero; the API does this for you.

You can set up automatic actions. For example, a new Shopify order triggers invoice creation in Xero. Then, a new Xero invoice prompts a Salesforce “opportunity.” As a result, your operation becomes more efficient with these automatic tasks.

Customer Relationship Management Platforms

CRM platforms like Salesforce allow marketing and customer service team members to manage clients. And your accounting team members also have access to valuable client information within Xero. Two different platforms, loads of rich data. In order to get everyone on the same page, the data has to be merged, a process that involves several steps: downloading, formatting, and importing files. Someone has to initiate the transfer of data, so it's not instant and mistakes can happen. Because of this lag, departments don't always have a complete, up-to-date picture of a client.

Have you experienced a time when two people from the same company give you conflicting messages? The takeaway is often, “Wow, they really don't have their stuff together over there!” Or, worse, “I think I'll take my business elsewhere.”

This is where an API can make a huge impact. The API takes CRM data and pushes it into Xero, and vice-versa. A customer service representative can see precisely what the client is talking about when they call with a question about an invoice. The information is shared between the programs; you never have to lift a finger. Your customers will experience top-notch customer service because everyone will always have access to identical, current info. Clients will have confidence in choosing your brand.

Email Marketing Software

The same goes for email applications like Constant Contact, Drip, SendinBlue, and others. If a new customer is added to Xero, you can use the API to plug the contact information into your email marketing portal.

Hopefully, I've shed some light on the topic of APIs and how they connect an effective tool like Xero to numerous applications in real time. To learn more, call BOLD VAN at 844-265-3777, email info@boldvan.com, or start your three-month trial.