What is an API Integration Platform and How to Choose It?

What is API Integration Platform?

An API (which stands for application programming interface) is a messenger that takes two different applications and allows them to communicate with each other. API can work in the following way:

• An API call is launched from a client app or software for acquisition of the required information. An API request is also referred to as such a process.
• API makes a call to the webserver or external program after receiving the request.
• Further, the server responds to the API including all necessary information.
• At this point, the API forwards the data to an app or software which made initial request.

This is where APIs come in, by allowing applications to share data and perform pre-defined processes. They act as go-between enabling tie up between developing new programmatic interactions and applications that people use every day hence making such a deal with other businesses.

There are two main API types: REST and SOAP. REST APIs and SOAP APIs both provide a way for applications to communicate over the Internet. REST APIs allow developers to perform requests and receive responses via the HTTP functions. SOAP APIs use XML-based systems and programming.

An API integration platform enables different systems to communicate info effectively between multiple APIs. It means that the info from diverse APIs can be integrated with the help of the API integration platform.

What is the Meaning of the API Integration Process?

An API integration platform allows two or more different APIs to communicate. API integration is a function that takes place to enable a connection between those APIs. As such, API integration refers to linking different systems using the available APIs. They establish this link for communication of information.

These integrations enable companies to work together, share their data across different systems and create innovative products and solutions for other businesses. It also allows enterprises to integrate their functions and embed data in or out of various applications.

A company that has many APIs for each of the systems it installs or one that needs to link up with numerous external APIs will find it cumbersome dealing with them individually. You require a platform that can enable you consolidate all the APIs within multiple applications easily and quickly scaling. Essentially, you will require an API integration platform to unify your organization’s interaction with a multitude of APIs.

In the eCommerce sphere, API integration means the process of tying various software solutions with shopping platforms for data sharing. This allows software developers to access all the needed data from a required solution, manage it within their own systems, and also share it with other apps.

Now, let's explore the main API integration platform benefits.

What are the Main Reasons to Use API Integration Platform?

While an API integration platform offers many benefits, here are some specific reasons to use it. Take a look.

1. API integration platforms connect as many systems via APIs quite simply and quickly. These enable you to control functionality of all the APIs together with sharing benefits used in all applications. It is also pointed out the fact that a platform, hassle-free as compared to having just APIs himself, will be easier to manage.
2. An API integration platform also does away with the maintenance aspect needed after implementing integrations to a number of systems. You do not have to connect with separate systems one by one and therefore. Also, there is no need of maintaining them after integration development.
3. The integration platform enables access to the relevant data from other systems and reduces possibilities of data exchange bugs and data loss. They offer strong safety and security infrastructures meant to handle data requirements.
4. API integration platforms are powerful in raising productivity since it frees up developer’s time. So, the developers can undertake more significant activities other than developing, handling, or fixing API integrations.
5. Businesses could have spent a fortune in individual building of multiple integrations. However, with API integration software, integration development can be done in an affordable way. You no longer need to waste thousands of dollars for multiple integrations.

Example of the eCommerce API Integration Platform

API2Cart is an example of a robust and fully functional API integration platform that features a unified API to connect eCommerce software and apps with more than 40 shopping platforms and marketplaces at once. The unified API is designed so that all the challenges associated with different integrations can be avoided easily.

To connect your software with desired eCommerce platforms, you just need to integrate with API2Cart and the latter will automatically integrate your system with the platforms. With the help of such an integration, you can easily retrieve, create, update, and delete data from all the connected eCommerce platforms. These platforms include Magento, Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, eBay, and many more others.

With API2Cart eCommerce Integration is Easy

Integrate once, save 4-8 weeks and thousands of dollars on each integration.

Never worry about supporting separate connections.

API2Cart eliminates the need for separate integrations, saves your time, money, and resources, improves the productivity of the development team, and allows you to focus on more crucial aspects of your business.

Moreover, the best part is, that API2Cart also looks after the support and maintenance needs of integrations after their development. It collectively offers a solution to incorporate the updated versions of the eCommerce platforms into the integrations without hampering their quality and security functions. You just need to choose a suitable subscription based on your requirements and API2Cart will work as an end-to-end API integration platform for your software business.

Conclusion

So, API integration platforms enable the communication of information between multiple APIs. They help to make the integration process easier, cost-effective, and fast.

eCommerce software are among the most frequent users of API integrations. They need information about shopping platforms' customers, goods availability, and orders. All this information is accumulated in different platforms like Magento, Shopify, and WooCommerce. eCommerce software need API integrations to get access to all the important online store data.

The easiest way to connect to multiple shopping platforms' APIs is to use API2Cart. You can try this eCommerce API integration platform for a month for free and all its features with no limits.

To know more about how API2Cart works and how you can leverage its services, get in touch with us for a free consultation call or use an online chat.