How to Build an App for QuickBooks Online Using Intuit Developer Portal

Introduction

QuickBooks Online requires no introduction.

It is among the most popular cloud-based accounting applications.

QuickBooks Online has earned a reputation among businesses and accountants for its user-friendliness, security features, and remote work capability.

Also, with the QuickBooks API integration feature, you can expand QuickBooks’ features. With this software, you can leverage many QuickBooks Online APIs to do much more.

However, you must first create a QuickBooks Online app to integrate QuickBooks APIs.

We will discuss the process in detail to give you a clear understanding of developing a QuickBooks Online app with the Intuit Portal.

Before we delve into the process, let’s understand the importance of building a QuickBooks Online App.

Why Build a QuickBooks Online App?

• Do you want to automate workflows?
• Do you want to create seamless financial integrations with your QuickBooks Online software for uninterrupted operations?
• Do you want to mitigate manual errors?
• Do you want to streamline tax preparation and compliance?

If the answers to these questions are affirmative, you must build a QuickBooks Online app.

To get more features, you can connect multiple QuickBooks Online APIs.

📌 Before you start building your QBO app, it’s crucial to understand key API limitations on tags, custom fields, and bill payments.

Read: Top 5 QuickBooks API Limitations

How to Build a QuickBooks Online App: A Comprehensive Guide

The answer is straightforward if you ask me how to create a QuickBooks Online app using Intuit Developer Portal. Just follow this write-up to create an app without any hurdles.

Let’s go through the steps in detail.

Step 1: Create an Intuit Developer Account

• To begin with, you need to have an Intuit Developer account. Visit developer.intuit.com
• Click on sign up and then fill in the details on the Create Your Account form.
• You will get a confirmation email on your official email ID. Verify your account and follow any additional setup instructions.
• You must sign in to the portal if you already have a developer account.

Step 2: Create a New App

This is the 2nd step of the QuickBooks Online app development tutorial.

• Now, sign in to your Intuit Developer account.
• Once you are on the dashboard, click on Apps and Resources in the top navigation and then select My Apps.
• Click on Create an App.
• Now, the system will ask you to choose the platform. Select QuickBooks Online as your platform.
  
• Enter app details, such as the app’s name and country. To avoid issues, follow the Naming Guidelines (https://developer.intuit.com/app/developer/qbo/docs/go-live/list-on-the-app-store/naming-and-logo-guidelines).

Step 3: Select API Scopes

The next step is of utmost importance as it will determine the scope and impact of your app’s activities within QuickBooks Online.

Selecting the correct API scopes for your app is imperative, as this will determine its functionality and security.

Your chosen API scopes will be the gatekeepers, defining the data and operations your app can access within a QuickBooks Online account.

If you choose unnecessary scopes, it could lead to privacy and other concerns. On the other hand, if you miss essential scopes, you might face limited functionalities.

• Choose com.intuit.quickbooks.accounting (Read & Write) if you need access to your financial data. You can integrate the app with QuickBooks Accounting API with this scope.
• Similarly, if you want to access payment processing and transactions, you can choose com.intuit.quickbooks.payment. With this scope, you can integrate the app with QuickBooks Payment API.

Step 4: Select and Confirm the Right Permissions

The next step in QuickBooks Online App development is to choose the correct permissions.

• As you can see in the image, you can set up various required permissions.
• Once you are done with it, a confirmation box will show up.
• Before clicking on it, make sure that you review your permissions twice, as once you add these permissions, you cannot remove them.
• Once you have checked, click on Confirm to continue.

Step 5: Set Up Your Keys & Credentials

• The next step is to set up your app credentials. You can access them in your App Dashboard by clicking Keys & Credentials under Development Settings.
• Now, note down your Client ID and Client Secret for the development environment.
• The final step in this process is to define the redirect URI for the OAuth authorization flow.

Step 6: Test the New QuickBooks App

• The next step is to test the app thoroughly within the environment.
• The Sandbox Environment can test API calls without affecting accurate data.
• You can use OAuth 2.0 for API authentication and authorization.
• You can also make API calls to QuickBooks Online APIs with your credentials.

Step 7: Explore Your App Dashboard

The QuickBooks Online app offers an intuitive dashboard to manage everything. What can you do with the dashboard?

• You can read guides to understand the platform and app settings.
• You can get production keys for production access.
• You can access SDKs and sample apps with code to speed up development.
• You can access the forum where developers contribute knowledge. It also helps discuss your development issues and queries with developers.

Step 8: Publish Your QuickBooks Online app

To publish your app on the QuickBooks App Store, you must have followed specific guidelines, such as

• You have complied with the naming and logo rules.(https://developer.intuit.com/app/developer/qbo/docs/go-live/list-on-the-app-store/naming-and-logo-guidelines)
• You must have production API keys and completed the review process of Intuit.
• You must have implemented OAuth 2.0 Authentication for data security and privacy.

Once you have fulfilled all these requirements, you have an approved app that users can start exploring.

Final Thoughts

QuickBooks API Integration allows businesses to automate different processes, such as accounting, bookkeeping, invoicing, and others.

It also has other advantages, such as improved data management, error mitigation, and data accuracy.

QuickBooks Online app development is easy, but ensure that you keep a sharp eye on details.

You can leverage API Integration to simplify complex accounting processes, improve data management, and mitigate errors. Developing a QuickBooks Online app is simple and straightforward.

Ensure you have set the correct permissions and tested the integration properly.

The Intuit Developer Portal’s UI is intuitive; even beginners can cleverly use it to build QuickBooks Online apps.

Need expert help? Our developer team specializes in QuickBooks API integration and custom app development.

FAQs:

What is QuickBooks Online API, and why should I use it?

QuickBooks Online API can integrate third-party applications like Salesforce, NetSuite, and Shopify.

If you want to add extended functionalities to your QuickBooks Online app. With QuickBooks Online API, you can automate accounting, payments, invoicing, reporting, and payroll management.

It also allows businesses to sync data between QuickBooks Online and third-party applications, such as CRMs, ERPs, e-commerce platforms, etc.

How do I get QuickBooks API keys?

Once you have registered your app, you can easily generate QuickBooks API keys from the Intuit Developer Portal dashboard.

How do I start developing a QuickBooks Online app?

The process of QuickBooks Online app development is simple.

First of all, sign up on the Intuit Developer Portal.

Then, you must create an app in the developer dashboard.

Obtain API keys (Client ID and Client Secret) for authentication.

Now, set up OAuth 2.0 for secure access.

Then, use the QuickBooks API Explorer to test API calls in Sandbox mode.