The e-commerce world is abuzz with Shopify’s announcement of sunsetting its REST API technology and migrating fully to the GraphQL-based API. With the official sunset date of January 31, 2025, businesses relying on Shopify’s API for critical integrations need to act quickly to adapt. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or an e-commerce manager exploring these changes for the first time, this blog will walk you through what this migration entails, the complexities involved, and why partnering with experts like Sitation can make all the difference.
Why Shopify Is Moving from REST to GraphQL
Shopify’s decision to transition from REST to GraphQL stems from the need for a more modern, efficient, and scalable API structure. Here’s why GraphQL is becoming the standard:
- Efficiency: GraphQL allows clients to request only the data they need, minimizing over-fetching and under-fetching issues common with REST APIs.
- Speed: With fewer roundtrips between the client and server, GraphQL offers faster performance and reduced latency.
- Flexibility: Developers can query multiple resources in a single request, eliminating the need for chaining multiple API calls as required by REST.
For Shopify users, this migration promises a more streamlined and efficient way to interact with the platform. However, it also introduces complexities that businesses must address.
Key Changes and Challenges in Migrating
Migrating from REST to GraphQL is not just a simple API switch—it involves rethinking how data is structured, queried, and published. Here are the key changes and potential challenges you’ll face:
1. Increased Query Complexity
While GraphQL simplifies data fetching, crafting the right queries can be complex. Queries must be precise, as it will only return what’s explicitly requested. Writing and optimizing these queries requires a solid understanding of your data model and the GraphQL schema.
2. Dependency on Updated Data Structures
GraphQL relies on clean, well-structured data to function effectively. If your current system includes fragmented or inconsistent data, you’ll need to invest time in cleanup and restructuring to ensure seamless integration.
3. New Rate Limiting Mechanisms
Shopify’s GraphQL API introduces cost-based rate limiting, which assigns a computational cost to each query. This is a shift from REST’s simpler request-based limit and requires careful planning to avoid hitting limits during high-traffic periods.
4. Rewriting Integrations
Any existing REST-based integrations with Shopify must be rebuilt for GraphQL. This involves reconfiguring how external systems interact with Shopify, including order management systems, CRMs, and PIMs like Salsify.
5. Learning Curve for Teams
For businesses that have relied on REST APIs, transitioning to GraphQL can require a steep learning curve. Teams must become familiar with new tools, syntax, and workflows, which can be time-intensive.
6. Publishing in Families as a Best Practice
While not strictly required, GraphQL works most efficiently when product data is organized into families—groups of related product information. This approach supports streamlined data management and syndication, but it may require hierarchical data structuring upstream in your systems. If your current product data lacks clear organization or relationships, some prep work will likely be beneficial before implementing GraphQL.
What This Means for Salsify Users
For businesses using Salsify, the shift introduces specific complexities. Salsify’s GraphQL implementation now requires the configuration of product families and ensures product hierarchies are properly defined upstream. Without these adjustments, publishing product data to Shopify can result in errors or missing content.
Salsify users will also need to reevaluate their syndication workflows to align with new requirements. This involves ensuring accurate product relationships, cleaning up outdated data structures, and adjusting workflows to accommodate GraphQL’s query-based approach.
Why You Shouldn’t Go It Alone
While Shopify’s GraphQL API offers significant benefits, the migration process can be complex and time-consuming, especially for businesses with large, intricate product catalogs. The need for hierarchical structuring, precise query development, and seamless integration makes this a task best handled by experienced professionals.
At Sitation, we specialize in guiding businesses through API migrations like this. From preparing your data to optimizing integrations with platforms like Salsify, we ensure a smooth transition that minimizes downtime and maximizes efficiency.
Ready to Simplify Your GraphQL Migration?
If you’re facing the complexities of Shopify’s GraphQL migration, Sitation is here to help. Let us handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on growing your business.
Schedule a Meeting to learn how Sitation can guide your GraphQL migration and ensure a smooth transition.
This migration marks a significant step forward for Shopify, but it doesn’t have to be a daunting one for your business. Partner with Sitation to navigate the transition confidently and efficiently.
