## Methods for Connecting Your Store Depending on the e-commerce platform you use, there are different ways to establish the connection between your store and the fulfillment system. ### Native Applications and Plugins For widely used e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento, the integration is typically completed using a native application or plugin. These pre-built connectors allow you to link the systems by installing the app from your platform's marketplace and authorizing access to your Red Stag account. ### Custom API Integration If you operate a custom-built e-commerce website or use a platform without a native Red Stag application, you can connect the systems using Red Stag's API. This method requires developer resources to write code that connects your store's backend to the fulfillment system, enabling the secure transfer of order and inventory data.
## Step-by-Step Integration Process While the exact steps vary depending on your specific e-commerce platform, the general setup follows a standard workflow: ### 1. Retrieve Your API Credentials Log in to your Red Stag client portal. Navigate to the integration or API settings section to locate or generate your API keys. Copy these credentials securely, as you will need to input them into your e-commerce platform's admin panel. ### 2. Install the Connection Link Go to your e-commerce platform’s admin dashboard. Locate the app store or integration settings, search for the Red Stag integration tool, and install it. If you are using a manual API setup, navigate to your store's API settings to configure the new connection.
### 3. Configure Sync Settings Enter your Red Stag API credentials when prompted to authorize the connection. Once the link is established, configure your synchronization preferences. You will need to define: * Which order statuses trigger transmission to the warehouse (e.g., "Paid" or "Awaiting Fulfillment"). * How frequently inventory levels should sync between the warehouse and your store. * How shipping methods selected by customers map to the shipping carriers used by the fulfillment center. ### 4. Map and Verify SKUs Ensure that your product catalog is fully mapped. If you sell product bundles, configure them according to Red Stag’s bundling guidelines so the warehouse staff knows which individual items to pick when a bundle is ordered. ### 5. Perform Test Orders Before routing live customer orders to the warehouse, place test orders on your website. Verify that the order details, customer addresses, and SKUs transfer correctly to the Red Stag portal. Confirm that canceling an order in your store updates the status in the fulfillment portal, if your integration supports this feature. ## Verifying Integration Accuracy
After completing the setup, monitor the integration closely during the first few days of operation to ensure data is flowing correctly: * **Inventory Sync:** Compare the stock levels shown on your e-commerce site with the physical inventory reported in the Red Stag portal. They should update automatically based on your configured sync schedule. * **Order Flow:** Verify that new orders appear in the fulfillment queue shortly after payment authorization. * **Tracking Write-Back:** Confirm that when an order is shipped, the tracking number generated by Red Stag automatically updates the order status in your e-commerce platform and triggers the customer notification email. ## Important Limitations and Considerations When integrating your systems, keep the following considerations in mind:
* **Sync Latency:** Inventory updates are not always instantaneous. Depending on your platform and settings, there may be a delay of several minutes to an hour. Setting safety stock thresholds in your store can help prevent overselling during high-volume sales periods. * **Address Validation:** Ensure your e-commerce platform performs basic address validation at checkout. Orders with invalid shipping addresses may be held in the Red Stag system, requiring manual correction before they can be fulfilled. * **Multi-Channel Management:** If you sell on multiple marketplaces in addition to your primary e-commerce site, you may need a central inventory management system (IMS) to coordinate stock levels across all channels and prevent inventory discrepancies.
