You need a POS system that connects to Shopify via the Admin API. When you sell in-store, stock updates on Shopify automatically. When a Shopify order comes in, your POS stock adjusts in real time. Products must be created in Shopify first, then imported to your POS. Setup takes about 5 minutes.
Why you cannot run both without a sync
Kenyan businesses with both a Shopify store and a physical shop face the same problem: the two systems do not talk to each other by default. Every day without a sync creates drift: and drift creates two expensive problems.
Overselling. A customer buys the last unit of a product in-store. Your Shopify store still shows it in stock. Another customer orders it online. You have one item and two customers expecting it.
Double-entry. Every time you restock a product, you update your POS and Shopify separately. Double the data entry, double the chance of a mismatch.
Two-way inventory sync eliminates both. A sale in-store deducts stock from Shopify. A Shopify order deducts stock from your POS. One inventory, two sales channels.
How the sync works
WebpinnPOS connects to your Shopify store using the Shopify Admin REST API and OAuth authentication. Once connected, the sync runs in two directions simultaneously.
When you sell in-store
A customer buys a product at your shop. You complete the sale in WebpinnPOS. The stock level pushes to Shopify via the Admin API in real time: the Shopify product inventory count drops immediately. No delay, no manual step.
When a Shopify order comes in
A customer orders on your Shopify store. Shopify sends a webhook to WebpinnPOS. WebpinnPOS receives the webhook, verifies it, and deducts the stock from your POS inventory. The order stays in Shopify. It does not create a sale record in WebpinnPOS, but it does adjust your stock count.
Products and background sync
Products are imported from Shopify into WebpinnPOS: including names, prices, SKUs, barcodes, variants, and categories. A background sync refreshes all product data every 30 minutes, so price changes and new products in Shopify appear in your POS automatically.
What syncs and what does not
| Data | Syncs? | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Products (name, price, SKU, image) | Yes | Shopify → POS |
| Product variants | Yes | Shopify → POS |
| Inventory quantities | Yes | Both directions |
| Stock deduction after in-store sale | Yes | POS → Shopify |
| Online order stock deduction | Yes | Shopify → POS |
| Categories | Yes | Shopify → POS |
How to set it up
The connection uses Shopify OAuth: no API keys to copy manually. You authenticate once and the integration handles the rest.
- In your WebpinnPOS dashboard, go to Settings → Integrations and click "Connect Shopify"
- Enter your Shopify store URL (e.g. yourstore.myshopify.com)
- You are redirected to Shopify to authorise the connection: approve the permissions
- WebpinnPOS registers the required webhooks in Shopify automatically
- Click "Sync Products" to import your full product catalogue
After the initial import, the 30-minute background sync runs automatically. You do not need to manually trigger it again.
Does it work if I also have a WooCommerce store?
Yes. WebpinnPOS can connect to both a Shopify store and a WooCommerce store simultaneously. Both sync with the same POS inventory. If you sell on Shopify, WooCommerce, and in-store, a single sale anywhere deducts from one shared stock pool. See: How to Sync WooCommerce with a Physical Shop in Kenya.
What about M-Pesa?
Shopify does not support M-Pesa natively. WebpinnPOS handles M-Pesa STK Push separately at the POS: so in-store customers pay via M-Pesa, while your Shopify online customers use whatever payment methods you have set up in Shopify (card, mobile money apps, etc.). The two payment systems do not conflict. See: How to Accept M-Pesa Payments at a Physical Shop in Kenya.
How much does the Shopify integration cost?
The Shopify integration is included in all WebpinnPOS plans: no add-on required. Plans start at KES 1,500/month.
Frequently asked questions
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Two-way inventory sync. M-Pesa at the till. One POS for your shop and your online store.
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