What are APIs?
Have you ever heard of an API or Application Programming Interface? No? Well, you probably using one right now. APIs transport data and content between multiple different programs. Unless you are a computer buff you probably haven’t heard of these before, however, they make our lives and our jobs much more efficient.
APIs can be described as the middleman between different sets of data. Still, confused? A good analogy for understanding APIs is as follows;
Imagine you’re sat at a table in a restaurant and the chef is in the kitchen. The chef doesn’t know what you want and you can’t enter the kitchen to tell them. Therefore you need a waiter, and in data communication, the API acts as the waiter.
Do I even use an API?
APIs are used by some of the world’s biggest companies. Facebook, for example, uses an API to connect to Messenger, other examples are Uber, Airbnb and Fitbit just to name a few. More and more companies are investing in API technology to develop their services in line with how customers interact with their brands.
Can I use one?
If you own a business, you probably already do use an API. Many finance companies such as PayPal use APIs. However, you can get APIs that are tailored to your needs. Any website, that owns an app will use an API. This allows the website to talk to the app and keep up-to-date with any information. APIs save a lot of time and effort for companies that rely on websites and apps. Public APIs are free for the public to try as APIs work slightly differently. Some websites allow you to try different APIs to find the right one for your business needs.
Are all APIs free?
Unfortunately not. Not all APIs are free and it’s important to weigh up the cost when deciding which one is best for your business. Some APIs are free and allow a certain amount of usage per day before charging. Small businesses may find that free APIs are the way forward, however, if you think you are going to obtain more traffic you may have to pay to allow this. It also depends on what you want from your API. This is why there are free trials so you can find the API that is right for you and your business.
Are there any other selling points?
Yes! APIs can help your business to predict what products are going to be popular in the future. Since API stores customers data, they can use that to predict consumer trends. Apps such as Uber are good examples of how APIs help the business in this way. For example, Uber’s API will identify the most popular areas and the most popular times that was an Uber is required. Therefore allowing the company to forecast where drivers are likely to be most needed.
APIs can provide all the data you need to improve and run your business at the touch of your fingertips.