For the past 20 years, APIs have revolutionized the way we do business online. Instead of coding from scratch with each programming project, APIs provide developers with the shortcut needed to provide tools like online payments to customers.

In some cases, a quick copy-and-paste allows you to offer top web productivity tools into your web build.

Take your web services to the next level with White Label API Integration. If you’re new to the process of white labeling, check out this quick guide to help you get started.

What are APIs?

An API is a self-contained code that helps you add deploy website resources faster. They are available in a variety of programming languages to help developers work across platforms.

Using an API when programming a website is similar to when you use an appliance in your home. The appliance needs electricity but you don’t need to go through the trouble of wiring it to the outlet.

The plug allows the appliance to reach the power source with ease. You get your morning coffee without having to be a certified electrician.

The same goes for using an API. A website user can access tools on your website that you didn’t need to build from scratch.

The quality level of APIs varies depending on where and how you want to use it. For beginners, it is important to choose the right source so you get the support you need if anything goes wrong.

How to Choose an API

The major advantage of using an API is to save yourself time. Take for instance the appliance example.

If your coffee maker needs to be rebuilt every day because of bugs, but the manufacturer offers little to no customer service, you’d quickly get a new coffee maker. This same way of thinking should apply when choosing an API.

You want a combination of support and convenience with working with an API provider. Depending on your level of traffic, it can be hard to switch API providers after launching it to the general public.

This scenario is especially true of payments APIs on retail sites. Avoid vendor lock-in by fully vetting your API provider in the following ways.

Features Review

One of the best ways to avoid vendor lock-in, or the inability to easily switch API providers, it to do a complete review of features. Assuming that two APIs with the same general purpose provide the exact same benefits is common mistake developers make.

For example, Paypal provides extensive authorize-capture processes as a payment API. Though Stripe provided similar payment services when the brand first started out, the authorize-capture feature wasn’t included for funds transfers until recently.

Filter your API search to include the specific features you’ll need to integrate into your website. Use these results only to make your selection.

Documentation

It’s important that the API provider offers detailed documentation. You need both use cases and all parameters outlined to make the experience seamless.

Documentation is the simplest way for you to limit your trial and error period. You need a peek into how implementation will look for your integration before making a commitment.

If there’s no documentation at all, it’s a major red flag for the API provider.

Data Formats

Senior developers can recall the days when XML was the format of choice for programmatic request data. But this option isn’t necessarily a top choice for newer developers.

JSON is simpler and preferred by developers because it’s easy to implement compared to XML. Check to see whether the API you’re using will return data in the format your prefer.

Interface

API documentation isn’t useful if the information isn’t clearly communicated. Look through documentation to see whether the method and parameter names explain their purpose clearly.

They should match your own style of naming and syntax. It’s a personal preference that goes a long way when you’re in the thick of programming and get sidetracked by trivial naming requirements.

The process can slow you down depending on how quickly you can adopt the required program naming conventions.

White Label API Integration

White labeling is the process of offering an API, or other services, without the branding of the original developer. The option for white label API integration is everywhere.

The benefit of using an API without the branding of the programmer is increasing the professional look of your website. Adding too many third party logos to your site can make your site appear cluttered and hard to navigate.

White labeling is also helpful when you are upsetting a specific service to customers. For example, white label API can be sold to clients as a part of a web services package.

Web hosting companies commonly use this model when offering premium features like email marketing through their hosting subscriptions. Some of these features are created by third-party developers but are offered through the web host as a part of your overall subscription fee.

If white labeling is your end goal, make sure the API limits don’t include a request threshold per API key or IP. These limits are in place usually to prevent abuse when working with public-facing data.

In other cases, though they are a way to get you to spend more on the implementation process. The overhead cost should be worth it allowing you to still make a decent profit.

Check to see if there are competing APIs that don’t offer limits at all.

Upgrade Your API Implementation

White label API integration isn’t a shortcut to providing a top-notch product. Depending on the complexity of your web services, it might take more time than you expected.

Do your research before getting started to help you determine whether or not the API provider is a good fit for your development needs. Spending this time working on the front end saves you hours, if not weeks, of labor on the back end.

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