On October 1, 2024, Shopify officially designated its REST Admin API as a legacy API, encouraging developers to shift to the more efficient GraphQL Admin API. This transformation represents a major change in how businesses build and maintain app integrations.
The protocol followed in REST and GraphQL are completely different. While the former works on URLs, request headers and parameters, GraphQL works on queries and mutations.
That’s why for developers, the shift means rebuilding the whole integration from scratch. For businesses, GraphQL migration brings scalability and enhances operational efficiency.
However, IT managers find the Shopify REST API migration as a dual challenge. of managing these transitions while ensuring seamless system functionality.
The shift to GraphQL admin API: What CIOs must know?
Shopify’s recent decision to mark its REST Admin API as a legacy API sets a clear path for developers and IT leaders. It underscores Shopify’s focus on streamlining its ecosystem.
As of April 1, 2025, GraphQL Admin API will be used for all new apps submitted to the Shopify App Store. Currently, existing apps can carry on using REST API without the product variant APIs which are going to be obsolete by February 2025.
However, with the advantages that GraphQL migration brings, early adoption would be a strategic move for forward-looking businesses.
For CIOs overseeing IT infrastructure, Shopify API migration has significant implications. Moving to GraphQL means rethinking how e-commerce platforms integrate with backend systems like ERP and CRM tools.
The ability to fetch only the data needed, streamline API calls, and leverage a strongly typed schema allows IT teams to reduce inefficiencies. Transitioning, however, is more than just substituting one API for another; it requires a full review of strategies for integration to ensure alignment with scalability and compliance needs.
Also software engineers need to redevelop the existing logic altogether. Hence, the Shopify’s API migration requires considerable effort in development, testing and user acceptance.
However, the shift brings the opportunity to deal with long-standing issues on inconsistency in data and operational inefficiency. GraphQL capabilities help CIOs shift to unified commerce, personalized marketing, and real-time inventory visibility to ensure long-term success.
Why is REST to GraphQL API migration a game-changer for retail businesses?
GraphQL features are designed to optimize workflows, reduce errors, and improve performance.
1. Efficient data retrieval
GraphQL eliminates over-fetching by allowing developers to request only the data they need. This reduces resource consumption on the server side and speeds up system performance by allowing product developers to download the exact part required. For eCommerce businesses, it means faster inventory updates and smoother customer interactions.
2. Single request for multiple resources
Instead of multiple API calls, GraphQL can combine queries into a single request. This streamlines operations and simplifies integration workflows. For example, inventory and customer data can be fetched simultaneously, saving time and optimizing resource utilization.
3. Clearly defined schema
GraphQL’s schema provides clear definitions for data types and relationships. It reduces development errors and ensures consistent performance. For retail-specific integrations, this feature supports accurate workflows and faster deployment.
GraphQL’s combination of precision, speed, and reliability ensures retail businesses can scale operations while maintaining performance. It directly supports CIOs’ goals of achieving unified commerce and driving innovation.
Challenges CIOs face during REST to GraphQL transition
Transitioning from REST to GraphQL poses unique challenges especially for businesses that need custom integrations.
Following are the specific challenges you might have to face,
1. Managing disparate systems
Custom integrations often connect diverse tools and platforms. Migrating to GraphQL requires you to align these systems without disrupting your existing workflows. Additionally, ensuring seamless communication between cloud-based and on-premises solutions adds to the complexity.
2. Limited internal expertise
REST API expertise doesn’t easily translate to GraphQL. Your team may need additional training to understand GraphQL’s syntax and capabilities. If your application uses custom logic, this learning curve can delay migration and introduce risks.
3. Ensuring data protection compliance
Compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and similar regulations remains critical. GraphQL queries handling sensitive data require strict oversight with explicit permission while retrieving customer objects to ensure additional security. Custom integrations may demand tailored compliance measures to avoid exposure or breaches.
4. Minimizing downtime
Shopify API migrations must not disrupt critical operations like inventory updates. Custom integrations often need significant reconfiguration to adapt to GraphQL. Without careful planning, downtime risks lost sales and customer dissatisfaction.
How to prepare your retail business for the transition?
Preparing your retail business for the REST to GraphQL API migration involves strategic planning and careful execution. While migrating, the software engineering team needs to understand and document the existing integration logic. This will ensure that the GraphQL API integration follows the same logic as the former.
Following steps will ensure that the Shopify’s API migration is smooth, efficient, and minimizes disruptions to daily operations.
1. Mapping current operations
Start by reviewing all existing REST API endpoints and identifying their GraphQL equivalents. Be mindful that some REST endpoints may require multiple GraphQL queries or mutations to achieve the same result. Creating a clear map of these endpoints will streamline the REST API to GraphQL migration process and prevent functionality gaps.
2. Updating API calls
Use Shopify’s official guides to update your app’s API calls. The document offers step-by-step instructions and client libraries to help you transition efficiently. These resources will minimize disruptions to your existing workflows while ensuring that your app functions properly with the new GraphQL API.
3. Handling IDs
REST and GraphQL use different ID formats, so it’s essential to handle them appropriately during the API migration. REST typically uses numeric IDs, while GraphQL uses Globally unique identifiers (GUIDs). Ensure that your team retrieves and stores the appropriate GIDs for the resources you previously accessed via REST.
4. Testing in sandbox environments
Before deploying GraphQL in your live environment, test thoroughly using Shopify’s development stores. These sandbox environments allow you to simulate real-world conditions, test various queries, and ensure that everything functions as expected.
How APPSeCONNECT simplifies the transition for CIOs and IT managers?
Migrating to GraphQL can feel daunting, but APPSeCONNECT provides the tools and support to make it seamless.
- Comprehensive iPaaS solution: Integrates ERP, CRM, and Shopify systems effortlessly, creating a unified and efficient ecosystem for managing complex workflows and data exchange.
- Pre-built connectors: Accelerates deployment for retail-specific platforms, ensuring a faster go-live process while reducing development overhead.
- User-friendly low-code interface: Enables IT teams to implement changes quickly without the need for extensive training or specialized knowledge.
- Secured services: APPSeCONNECT comes with vast experience of citizen integrators who have extensive knowledge of the migration process. This ensures your business faces minimum downtime and a secure environment for transition.
- Dedicated support services: Provides tailored training, proactive guidance, and troubleshooting to help your team transition smoothly without operational disruptions.
Conclusion
Shopify’s API migration towards GraphQL is a key step to modernizing e-commerce ecosystems. It allows businesses to streamline workflow, improve data handling, and scale operations. However, the whole process of transition is quite challenging and needs careful planning and execution.
To make the REST API migration seamless you need to deploy a number of developers who are adaptive with the new techniques of handling and optimizing the queries and mutations of GraphQL. Apart from that, the process goes through rigorous testing and delivery.
However, APPSeCONNECT with a team of experienced citizen integrators can ensure a much smoother experience for you. The tool simplifies the integration process, minimizes disruption, and provides long-term support, thereby improving the ROI on integration..
The iPaaS platform, in combination with pre-built connectors and expert advice, can turn this challenge into a strategic advantage for businesses.
Now is the time to embrace GraphQL, optimize your operations, and stay ahead of the curve in the competitive landscape of e-commerce.
Not sure how to proceed through the Shopify API migration?
