Creating a business account on submitting an order via frontend api

[maartenb17]

I am trying to set account type to 'business' using await swell.cart.update before submitting the cart to an order. I get an error stating I am not allowed to update that field. So how to create a business account on submitting an order via frontend api? I cannot imagine Swell doesn't allow that.

[ericingram]

This guide has some information on how frontend permissions work: https://developers.swell.is/guides/opening-content-permissions

It's not possible to update these fields through the cart as it could lead to some security risk allowing guest users to change fields on authenticated accounts.

Instead I would recommend using the swell.account.create method, or create a backend function to do the job.

[maartenb17]

so instead of using swell.cart.update for adding account and shipping data, I should simply use swell.account.create and then swell.submit.order?

[maartenb17]

that seems to be cumbersome and regarding security I do not see the difference. BTW swell.account.create is also needed to set the account.locale?

[ericingram]

On key difference is that the system doesn't take custom account values from the cart permissions currently, so it just won't work unless that feature is enhanced as such.

[maartenb17]

Is there a way to set cart permissions? Cart permissions I guess allow certain fields to be updated only upon cart submission? Contrary to general field permissions which is more of an all or nothing option.

[maartenb17]

Actually I do not see why providing account type, vat-number and locale are adding more risks upon order submission, at least not for Europeans users.

[ericingram]

There may be nothing risky about those fields, but the issue is that the frontend cart API does not currently pass these fields to the cart at all, so there's no way to do it without Swell enhancing the API for that purpose.

[Targox]

In the standard Swell checkout there’s currently no option to collect a customer’s EU VAT ID. For B2B buyers in the EU, this is a critical field, they often expect a fast, B2C-style checkout flow where they can enter their VAT number on the spot for invoicing (without pre-registration). Has anyone implemented this successfully via the “Add script” option or any API workaround? Or should one use a custom checkout for this.

Still trying to figure Swell out. Thanks.

[Targox]

Great to hear. If there's a current work around I'd love to hear it.
Does Swell have a public roadmap where you can see what's actively being worked on?

[ericingram]

We just prioritized implementing this today

No public roadmap because we tend to iterate on priorities too quickly to it keep updated :)

[Targox]

That's great to hear! I'll definitely explore the platform further then. Thank you for the quick responses.

concerning the roadmap; understandable!

[ericingram]

@Targox we implemented the ability to collect EU VAT Number in checkout

See the new settings in the dashboard under Online Store > Checkout

[Targox]

I've been exploring the API today, experimenting with some custom workarounds, but this... you actually did it! Going to check this out further in the upcoming week. I'm honestly very excited for this. Thanks Eric. It seems you guys delivered on your promise.