There are many factors to consider before you think about answering this question. Building your technology has its benefits, and third-party API gives you a different level of satisfaction for your needs.
However, there are many third-party APIs available for your solution. Therefore, many people might prefer to get third-party API integration services rather than building technology from scratch. Third-party API can save you a lot of time and trouble.
Today, APIs are used rather frequently in the industry, whether for software development, web development, or app development. This is so that we can easily integrate features and functions without having to start from scratch by building on the work done by other developers. It makes it simpler for developers to design feature-rich websites quickly.
Challenges of third-party API
Sometimes a company experiences a hiring freeze because it cannot afford new specialists for new technology or does not want to lose its primary business focus.
Whatever the reason, adding APIs to the organization’s current platform may present new challenges.
- API availability loss
The stability of the integrated third-party solution is essential. The customer may lose business if it crashes too frequently or performs unpredictably.
Numerous metrics are available, such as uptime, errors per minute, latency, etc. Making the solution client flag reliant is one technique to reduce the business impact, especially in the early stages. The client can set this on/off flag in the database or the front end.
QA can test the application in a pre-production environment with the flag enabled; production can continue to operate with the flag disabled.
Once internal users are satisfied, client developers can enable the flag and make the feature available in production.
- Security threats
There is no denying that preventing hackers from manipulating the API is critical. Consider this: if a hacker has access to the payload and header structure, she can arbitrarily change the numbers and interrupt the entire business flow (e.g., inventory loss, refund hassles, revenue disruption, etc.).
At the very least, developers can add a secret custom header to API calls. The caller should know this header and use it to obtain the API answer. Most of the time, basic auth (a username and password combination) is sufficient to protect the API if implemented correctly. API could be protected using an OAuth2-based approach for a more secure configuration.
You don’t have to get scared of these challenges as the third API has many benefits.
Advantages of Third-party API
Some of the following advantages are worth giving the third-party API a chance and working through.
- It saves time and money
It saves time by allowing you to launch the product quickly so that it can begin producing revenue. Meanwhile, your developers can work on new features for future product revisions, saving you time to market and initial development costs.
This also allows you to devote your developers to developing an in-house alternative to the API or continuing to use the API and devoting the developers to improving and maintaining the product itself.
- Quick deployment of the program
Rather than developing one in parallel, getting a third-party API for integration services for in-house software allows for a more speedy and efficient program launch.
There is no need to go through the process of perfecting both again. Once the core program is finished, you may concentrate on its operations, functionality, and integration.
- No need to build a feature from scratch
Let’s look at an example to assist you in understanding. If you want to include a map feature in your app, you can use Google Maps instead of designing and deploying a separate map platform with your API.
It’s pointless to keep reinventing the wheel. Third-party APIs are reliable and provide the data you need to run your business.
- Easy access to data
It provides new and small enterprises with data they might not have previously.
For example, a food delivery service may have a Map API connected and the necessary data to target new clients and fulfil orders from customers nearby. This is an essential tool for many new enterprises with little resources.
FAQs
What are the 4 types of API?
APIs are divided into four categories that are commonly utilized in web-based applications: public, partner, private, and composite. In this case, the API “type” defines the intended scope of use.
What is the difference between REST API and normal API?
API’s main objective is to standardize data transmission across online services. The protocol used varies depending on the type of API. REST API, on the other hand, is an architectural style for developing online services that communicate via the HTTP protocol.
What are third-party integrations?
Third-party integration links, more than one app created on a different platform. This is the essential distinction between native integrations (created or deployed in native app environments) and third-party integrations.
How do you integrate a front-end API?
An integration-first strategy. The backend development team creates the integration layer, which exposes the existing systems based on the project requirements. The backend teams publish their services via REST APIs. The frontend team will begin integrating their web and mobile applications into these APIs.
Do frontend developers use APIs?
APIs enable you to access data and use it on your website or application as a frontend developer. Furthermore, they enable you to save time and complete beneficial activities without writing a lot of code.
Bottom line
Overall, opting for third-party API integration is not difficult if you know exactly what you need and have a budget. Plan your steps based on the needs of the business. Overall, third-party API integration services can save you a lot of time and effort.
Besides, you are not required to go through any hiring or planning procedures. Simply share your concept, obtain the API, and include it in your solution.