Seamlessly Integrating Shopify with Business Central: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction 

This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough for integrating Shopify with Business Central (OnCloud). The integration focuses on synchronizing key aspects such as inventory, product details, and order information to enable efficient management of your Shopify store directly from Business Central. With this integration, you can streamline your eCommerce operations and ensure real-time data alignment between both platforms.

Pre-requisites:

Before beginning the integration, ensure you have the following:

1. Business Central (OnCloud) account.

2. Shopify account (you can start with the free trial offered by Shopify).

Steps for Shopify and Business Central Integration 

1. Create an Account on Shopify

• Go to Shopify Adminand create your account.

• Shopify offers a 3-day free trial, so you can explore the platform before committing.

2. Access the Shopify Dashboard

• After successfully creating your Shopify account, you’ll be directed to the Shopify dashboard.

• From here, copy the Shopify store URL, as you'll need it later during the integration with Business Central.

3. Navigate to Business Central

• Open Business Central and search for "Shopify Shops" in the global search bar.

• Click on New to add a new Shopify shop.

4. Enter Shopify Shop Information

• In the new Shopify shop creation screen, enter a unique Code for the shop.

• Paste the Shopify URL (copied from step 2) into the required field.

5. Set Shopify Location

• In Business Central, go to Shopify Location settings.

• Select the relevant location for the shop.

6. Set Stock Calculation

• Choose Free Inventory for Stock Calculation. This option ensures that your available inventory is always in sync with Shopify.

7. Add Products in Business Central

• First, click on the Products section in Business Central.

• Then, click on Add Items to begin adding products to be synced with Shopify.

8. Sync Inventory

• Set the Sync Inventory field to True by enabling the corresponding boolean field.

• Enter an appropriate Item Category Code for the products, then click OK to confirm.

Optional: Sync Product Images

• If you wish to sync product images between Shopify and Business Central, select the Sync Item Images to Shopify option.

• By enabling this setting, the images of your items will also be synchronized when the products are added to Shopify.

9. Inventory Sync in Shopify

• After completing the previous steps, your inventory will be successfully synced from Business Central to Shopify. Any changes made to stock levels in Business Central will now automatically update in Shopify.

10. If you want to sync shopify to business central go to Shopify Shop Card > Select "From Shopify" in Sync Item.

11. After that go to Synchronization and click on sync products

By this if you had added product in shopify it will get sync to business central.

12. Customer Synchronization

• You can also synchronize customer information between the two platforms.

• For example, once you sync, you’ll see that Meagan has been successfully synchronized to Shopify.

13. View Your Online Store

• Now you can view your online store and see your products live on Shopify.

 Theme Customization in Shopify

The look and feel of your Shopify store is important in building a strong brand presence. Shopify offers a variety of customizable themes that you can select and edit to match your brand’s identity.

How to Select a Theme:

1. Access the Theme Store:

   • In the Shopify Admin dashboard, go to Online Store > Themes.

   • Browse through Shopify’s free and premium theme options.

2. Select a Theme:

   • Choose a theme that aligns with your business’s aesthetic. Each theme comes with a demo, so you can preview how it will look on your store.

How to Set Up Payments on Shopify

Shopify Payments is an integrated payment gateway that simplifies the transaction process for your Shopify store. Here's how to set it up to ensure your customers can make secure payments directly on your store.

Important Points to Consider Before Setting Up Shopify Payments:

• Bank Account Location: Ensure that your bank account is in the same country as your Shopify store.

• Enable Two-Step Authentication: For enhanced security, activate two-step authentication before setting up Shopify Payments.

• Transaction Fees: Be aware that Shopify Payments charges fees for each transaction, which vary depending on your pricing plan.

• Minimum Payout Threshold: Shopify Payments does not process payouts below $1, £1, or €1. These smaller amounts will be added to the next payout that meets the threshold.

Did You Know?

For U.S.-based stores, Shopify Payments incurs a 1% fee for cross-border transactions (for credit card payments made with cards issued outside the U.S.).

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Shopify Payments

Step 1: Set Your Store Currency

Before you begin, establish the currency for your store. This currency may differ from that of your bank account. Changing the store currency after setup will require contacting Shopify Support.

To set your currency:

• Navigate to Settings > General > Store defaults > Currency display.

• Click on Change store currency and select your preferred currency.

• Click Save to implement the changes.

Step 2: Access Payment Settings

Once you’ve set your store currency, return to the Settings menu and choose the Payment option to initiate the payment setup process.

Note: It is essential to complete your Shopify Payments account setup within 21 days of your first sale. This includes providing your business and banking details. For merchants located in the European Union or Hong Kong, setting up Shopify Payments is necessary to accept customer payments.

Step 3: Activate Shopify Payments

To enable Shopify Payments, you first need to create a Stripe account. Then:

• Navigate to the Payment settings page in Shopify.

• Click the Activate button for Shopify Payments. If you're transitioning from another payment provider, Shopify offers an easy way to make this switch.

Step 4: Select Your Business Type

During the activation of Shopify Payments, you must identify your business type:

• Individual: For sole proprietors who haven’t formally registered their business.

• Registered Business: For businesses operating under a registered name, such as a corporation, LLC, or partnership.

• Non-Profit: For organizations that are officially recognized as non-profit entities.

Step 5: Designate an Account Representative

Setting up Shopify Payments requires appointing an account representative. This individual, typically the owner, senior executive, or director, must possess the authority to make decisions within the business. Their role is crucial for verification with Shopify's banking partners.

Step 6: Provide Accurate Business Information

After entering the account representative's information, you'll need to input your store and business details. Ensuring that all information is accurate and verifiable is essential. If Shopify cannot verify your details, they may request additional documentation.

You will need to submit documentation that includes:

• Your business name.

• Your business address.

• Your company registration number or VAT number (if applicable).

Step 7: Wait for Verification

After you’ve submitted your business and banking information, Shopify will review your request for Shopify Payments within 2-3 business days. This verification process is vital for ensuring secure transactions.

Tip: Review all your information for accuracy before submission to prevent delays. Having your verification documents ready can expedite the review process.

Conclusion

By following the steps in this guide, you have successfully integrated Shopify with Business Central. This setup allows for seamless synchronization of inventory, product information, and customer data between both systems, reducing manual effort and increasing efficiency. The integration ensures real-time updates and accurate data, enabling you to focus on growing your business while simplifying your eCommerce management.