Introducing Shopify’s Draft Orders API

To help developers build apps merchants want, the Shopify Apps Team is opening a beta for the new Draft Orders API to our partner and developer community It’s important that our community be part of the API process. With this in mind, we’ve made the beta fully accessible to all developers within the Shopify Ecosystem. In this article, you'll learn: Why draft orders are important for merchants. What developers can build with the help of this API. How to access the Draft Orders API.

Update: The Draft Orders API has launched its final iteration. Updates have been made to address feedback, and provide additional functionality. 

Merchants often turn to the Shopify App Store to find add-ons and tools that take their business to the next level.

To help developers build apps merchants want, the Shopify Apps Team is opening a beta for the new Draft Orders API to our partner and developer community.

It’s important that our community be part of the API process. With this in mind, we’ve made the beta fully accessible to all developers within the Shopify Ecosystem.

We invite you to be part of the final step in this API’s development.

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The importance of draft orders for merchants

Draft orders allow merchants to create orders on behalf of customers. This is useful for Shopify merchants who receive orders through outside channels, such as chat, on the phone, through sales and support tools, or in person. The Draft Orders API gives developers the ability to build apps that create and update Shopify orders, and send invoices enabling secure payments.

The Draft Orders API also provides the ability to create draft orders for discount or wholesale rates. It can also accommodate pre-orders, custom items that represent additional costs, or products that aren’t displayed in a shop’s inventory. Being able to facilitate these types of orders is a major benefit to higher-volume stores who want to incentivize bulk purchases, or even merchants who offer specialized merchandise requiring custom purchasing.

Order editing is now also available. Learn how this change impacts app developers.

You might also like: We're Expanding Shopify's API So You Can Build Bigger & Better.

Using the Draft Orders API

While in beta, the Draft Orders API is subject to change, but having early access enables you to start familiarizing yourself with the API and start building.

Marius Andreiana from Supple Apps, who took part in the Draft Orders API alpha, says early access has inspired new and exciting app opportunities for his company.

“The new Draft Orders API has already enabled us to build custom solutions for a few merchants who had particular needs that couldn't be addressed with standard apps or APIs,” Marius explained. “We're now able to create orders from custom apps, and automatically send them to be paid. Customer feedback has been enthusiastic, and Shopify engineers were quick to clarify all questions raised during development.”

We're now able to create orders from custom apps, and automatically send them to be paid. Customer feedback has been enthusiastic, and Shopify engineers were quick to clarify all questions raised during development.

This beta version is open to anyone in the Shopify Ecosystem and no special access is required. Have further questions about the Draft Orders API? Check out the Shopify API forum.

You might also like: How to Get Your App Featured on the Shopify App Store.

Access now and get started!

We’re excited to see what you build, and we’ll let you know when this API is officially out of beta. Download today to take advantage of all the new app development possibilities supported through this API!

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Want to learn more about building apps for Shopify? Check out our comprehensive list of articles on Shopify App Development and the Shopify API.