Custom Web API Development

Custom API Development

An application programming interface (API) is a web-based application that allows other software applications to communicate via requests and responses (typically using HTTP). API’s are most useful in situations where a product has a single back-end, but multiple user interfaces to support. For example, a cross-platform service could have an Android, iOS, and a web-based interface for users to interact with and each of those applications needs to communicate with a single back-end endpoint using an API. Just about every powerful app or web-based product out there today has some form of back-end or public facing API that is integral to the functionality and performance of the product.

API and System Integration

Business system integration can be a huge time saver for many employees in their day-to-day jobs and can ultimately save a business thousands of dollars in wasted employee time. For example, if your company has forms on your website for contact, applications, support, sales, etc., those submissions can often be directly sent to other services, such as Authorize.net, MailChimp, Constant Contact, Salesforce, Hubspot, Google Apps, and more! By directly integrating your web forms to your other back-office software, you can save valuable employee time. In addition to web forms, there are many other interesting use cases we have seen where business system integration has maximized the efficiency of a business.

REST/JSON API Development

Representational state transfer (REST) is a development architecture style designed for creating web services that can scale. In general, a REST environment has a distinct client-server separation of concerns that makes upgrading systems or components far more seamless. RESTful services use a standard format to communicate so that it does not have to be device, OS, or programming language specific. Javascript Object Notation (JSON) can be used to transmit information in the form of requests or responses across any program. In addition to JSON, many API’s can also use extensible markup language (XML) to send and receive information.