Has your business experienced the power of API technology yet? APIs are powerful tools that can transform your business from the core. Discover why APIs are important, what different types of APIs are out there, and what they can do for your business.
It can safely be said that API (Application Programming Interfaces) are an absolute necessity of every modern business. In today’s world, businesses depend wholeheartedly on technology for nearly every imaginable process. Even the simplest business tasks are getting increasingly dependent on platforms such as CRM, ERM, CMS and ecommerce for day-to-day functioning.
This is where APIs are a blessing in disguise. Although they run in the background, they play a role so fundamental and incredibly important that interconnectivity between separate web platforms would be unimaginable without them. As an analogy, if these separate platforms are bricks, APIs are the mortar that holds everything together.
API integrations enable businesses to automate tasks and ensure smooth and continuous communication between various applications. Apart from facilitating connectivity between applications, devices or programs, APIs also process requests and streamline functions in a business ecosystem. Without API integrations, apps wouldn’t be able to communicate, respond to each other, or share data with each other, thus crippling online businesses from the core. In fact, APIs are so important in today’s context that their absence can make the largest business empires come crashing down.
There are tons of APIs that exist today to help businesses work at their best. In fact, your business might be using multiple APIs right now. Here are some benefits that API integration can bring to your business:
- APIs Boost Business Productivity
- APIs Help In Creating a Unified & Holistic Business Ecosystem
- APIs Directly Lead to Better Customer & Order Fulfilment
- APIs Can Save on Cost and Minimise Disappointments
- APIs Can Enhance Customer Experience and Offer Personalised Services
- APIs Can Automate and Improve Marketing Processes
What different types of APIs are out there?
There are many different types of APIs based on several types of classifications. But to make it simpler to understand, APIs can be categorised in terms of how they help businesses. The 4 most common types of APIs that businesses need on an everyday basis include:
Payment Gateways APIs
Payment gateway APIs such as PayPal, Authorize.Net, PayU and many more can be integrated into your existing ecommerce storefront, website, and social networks, allowing your business to process payments seamlessly. Get an API payment gateway integration consultation to give your business the advantage of payment gateways.
Shipping Carriers APIs
Shipping carrier APIs are extremely crucial for businesses that require custom shipping carriers such as FedEx, UPS, USPS, and many others. These APIs literally empower businesses to mobilise their products around the world with ease.
SMS & Communication APIs
These commonly used APIs integrate cloud communications platforms like Twilio, Plivo, Nexmo and more with your existing business systems. You can use these APIs to integrate communication tools into your systems.
Social Network APIs
Connect your social network platforms like your YouTube channels, Facebook pages, Instagram and others to your website, ecommerce storefront, and analytics systems using custom social API integrations.
There are many more different types of APIs to suit every business need. Speak to a trusted API integration company to understand which APIs you should choose for your business. API technology companies specialise in third-party and custom API integrations for a vast range of unique business needs across a broad spectrum of technologies and frameworks such as .NET, PHP, Node.js and more.
For instance, companies working with an ERP platform can look to integrate ERP-specific third-party APIs to help their businesses function at a significantly higher level of productivity. Businesses can integrate these business-specific APIs with content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Sitefinity, Umbraco, Drupal, Joomla and SharePoint, customer relationship management systems (CRM) and ecommerce platforms like Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce and OpenCart.
Businesses using large ERP systems for various business functionalities need API integrations to connect with shipping companies like FedEx. As another example, businesses looking to automate their emailing processes need API Integration of MailChimp or similar communication platforms for improved business performance. Speak to a reputed Ecommerce API Integration Development company to know what specific APIs your business needs.
API integration development companies also work with API Integration platforms like Cyclr and with medium and large digital marketing agencies as their white-label partners. Businesses that envision growing in the coming years must focus on API integrations to create ecosystems that are seamless and unified. For this, businesses must seek out API integration companies that offer niche API integration expertise and a costing model that’s practical and affordable for evolving businesses.
How we can help
Understanding your unique business needs
We take the time to understand the nature of your business, your current functionalities and the new functionalities you need for improving your business. Our vast experience in technical partnerships for companies across industries enables us to understand critical business needs.
Recommending the best APIs for your business
Our extensive knowledge of popular and best-performing APIs in the market allows us to recommend the best ones for your business.
Integrating APIs for any internal business systems
We can integrate any API across the board and across technologies into your existing business systems in a seamless and hassle-free manner.
Post Development Support
Having identified a need gap in the UK market, we provide value-added services like post-development support, 24/7 maintenance and round-the-clock support to your business.
Adopt the power of APIs with a strategic integration plan and watch your business perform more efficiently across various departments and functionalities. Getting the right APIs is the edge that your business needs right now to stay ahead of the curve.
