How to choose the best connector for your webshop and Business Central?

Why a solid webshop Business Central integration matters

Connecting your webshop to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is essential. A good integration saves time and reduces errors by keeping your inventory and orders up to date at all times.

You might be wondering: Which connector is the best fit for my business? In this blog, we’ll help you answer that question so you can make a well-informed decision.

What is a connector and how does it work?

A connector is essentially an integration — a bridge that allows two software systems to communicate with each other. In this article, the connector refers to the link between your webshop and Business Central.

The exchange of data happens automatically, so you don’t have to re-enter everything manually. For example, a connector can synchronize the following data:

• Orders: New webshop orders are automatically created in Business Central as sales orders, quotes, or invoices.
• Inventory: Changes in Business Central stock levels are immediately sent to the webshop, ensuring online availability is always accurate.
• Invoices: Once an order is processed in Business Central, invoice information can be sent back to the webshop or directly to the customer.

Without a connector, all of this would need to be done manually. Imagine running a webshop without integration: each day you’d check for new orders, re-enter them in Business Central, then manually adjust inventory on the website. It’s time-consuming and prone to errors. With a good connector, this process is automated — saving time and preventing mistakes.

Types of connectors: pros and cons

There are several ways to connect your webshop with Business Central. We can broadly distinguish three types of connectors, each with its advantages and drawbacks:

1. Standard Connector (Fast, Less Flexible)

A ready-made integration available for common platforms.

• Pros: Quick to implement, user-friendly, proven stable. Standard solutions typically align with new Business Central releases (twice a year). Costs are relatively low.

• Cons: Limited flexibility — you’re bound to the features offered. If your processes deviate, you may hit limitations.

2. Custom Integration (Expensive, Fully Tailored)

A one-off solution built specifically for your business.

• Pros: Fully tailored to your unique processes, perfectly aligned with your needs.

• Cons: Time-consuming and costly to develop. Future updates require the developer again, leading to additional expenses.

3. iPaaS Platform (Scalable, Cloud-Based)

iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) is a cloud-based platform for integrations.

• Pros: Highly scalable and flexible. You can connect multiple systems via one platform with less coding; updates and server management are handled by the provider.

• Cons: Dependent on an external service — downtime means your integration stops. Also requires technical expertise to set up correctly. Examples include Alumio, Celigo, and Codeunit.io.

Example:

• A small webshop with a simple product range will often do fine with a standard connector.
• A business with unique processes may benefit more from custom integration.
• A fast-growing company usually finds an iPaaS platform attractive thanks to its scalability.

Choosing between integration apps in Microsoft Marketplace

Microsoft Marketplace is the best place to start when looking to connect your webshop with Business Central. It offers hundreds of apps that extend BC functionality.

But how do you pick the right one? Take WooCommerce as an example: searching for WooCommerce in Marketplace shows dozens of apps.

Here are some criteria to guide your decision:

• Free Trial: Can you try the software first? Look for the Free Trial label.
• Last Update: Check if the software is updated regularly. Frequent updates mean better functionality and compatibility with the latest Business Central releases.
• Reviews & Ratings: Customer feedback provides valuable insights into performance and reliability.
• ISV reputation: Does the provider offer multiple apps, or just a one-off solution?
• Experience: How long has the vendor been active in developing for Business Central (formerly Dynamics NAV)?
• Functionality: Review the specific features offered (more on this below).

This checklist helps narrow down the initial selection of apps.

Comparison: which integration best fits your webshop?

When choosing a connector, consider these key factors: functionality, ease of use, cost, and scalability.

Rule of thumb:

• Small webshop → Standard Connector
• Unique processes → Custom Integration
• Growth-focused business → iPaaS Platform

Always think ahead: choose a connector that not only works now but will still fit your business in a few years.

6 steps to make the right choice

Finally, a practical roadmap to selecting the best connector:

1. Define your budget

2. Identify your needs: Define which data you want to sync and your must-have requirements.

3. Compare solutions: Weigh standard, custom, and iPaaS against functionality, compatibility, and cost.

4. Request demos: Test the most promising options with a trial to check usability and fit.

5. Consult internally: Involve IT, finance, and end-users to gather feedback and ensure buy-in.

6. Check support and service: Good helpdesk availability and update policies save headaches in the long run.

By following these steps, you can systematically determine which solution best suits your business. Take the time to evaluate carefully — integrating your webshop with Business Central is an investment in your company’s efficiency.

Conclusion

Connecting your webshop with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is essential for reducing errors and improving efficiency. The best connector depends on your specific situation — current needs, growth plans, budget, and technical expertise.

Remember: price alone isn’t everything. Support and service are just as crucial. A cheap connector can become costly if there’s no reliable support when issues arise.

In short: take the time to make a well-informed decision, follow the steps outlined, and prepare your business for growth with a smooth webshop–Business Central integration.

Want to learn more about webshop–ERP integrations? Check out our other blogs on e-commerce integrations or get in touch for tailored advice.