I'm a complete beginner and have never worked with API's before. So I'm really sorry, but I'm hoping someone could help me, as I've been googling for days and don't know what is what anymore!
I am trying to link my shipping solution (Shipstation) to my Airtable database.
So far, I've managed to successfully set up a webhook, so when an order is shipped, Shipstation sends a webhook to Airtable. However the webhook is just a "resource_url", not actual useful data (like an order number). I've gone to the "resource_url" (which needs a username and password) and it has all the data I need.
So I guess I need to "run a script" and write an API to go and fetch the data from the "resource_url", so I can then use the order number to "update record".
I've added the "resource_url" from the webhook as a variable / input config.
So what I need the script to do is;
Go to "resource_url" (which is the input config called SHIPSTATION)
Login with Username and password
Output the data
Can anyone help? Or point me to a resource that explains where I need to start (to someone who doesn't really know what an API is?)
Many thanks Sarah
Best answer by TheTimeSavingCo
Thank you so much! I've used Zapier before, but would like to set up a few different API's, so thought if I can get one working, I'll understand a bit more about them, and could maybe create my own!
The easiest way for a beginner to work with APIs is to use Make.com.
Not only because they make it super-easy to craft your own API calls when necessary, but more importantly, because they already have built-in support for 1,300+ apps including ShipStation, so you don't have to worry about crafting your own API calls at all!
If you need further help from my community of Make experts and Airtable API experts, please post at TableForums.com. I am unable to provide more detailed technical support here, because this blogging platform makes it impossible to type up detailed posts.
You mentioned you've managed to go to the "resource_url" and it has the data you need, and I assume you did that via a GET request and so know how to get your API authentication stuff? If not, here's a link to ShipStation's docs on that
Depending on how familiar you are with JavaScript, you might want to just use a third party service like Zapier or something to just deal with this for you though; probably take you 10-15 minutes to set up in Zapier and saves you a bunch of a hassle you know what I mean?
You mentioned you've managed to go to the "resource_url" and it has the data you need, and I assume you did that via a GET request and so know how to get your API authentication stuff? If not, here's a link to ShipStation's docs on that
Depending on how familiar you are with JavaScript, you might want to just use a third party service like Zapier or something to just deal with this for you though; probably take you 10-15 minutes to set up in Zapier and saves you a bunch of a hassle you know what I mean?
Thank you so much! I've used Zapier before, but would like to set up a few different API's, so thought if I can get one working, I'll understand a bit more about them, and could maybe create my own!
The easiest way for a beginner to work with APIs is to use Make.com.
Not only because they make it super-easy to craft your own API calls when necessary, but more importantly, because they already have built-in support for 1,300+ apps including ShipStation, so you don't have to worry about crafting your own API calls at all!
If you need further help from my community of Make experts and Airtable API experts, please post at TableForums.com. I am unable to provide more detailed technical support here, because this blogging platform makes it impossible to type up detailed posts.
Thank you, I've used something like this, but wanted to keep them within Airtable. Thanks anyway.
Thank you so much! I've used Zapier before, but would like to set up a few different API's, so thought if I can get one working, I'll understand a bit more about them, and could maybe create my own!