What is API Integration? & Best Tips for Developers

Krishi Shivasangaran Published On April 8th, 2024 Tech Talks

Do you want your app users to have live conversations within your app? Do you want them to enjoy watching videos, making live video calls, and find your app as their most comfortable spot for interactions?

You can write codes for days or months manually to bring life to each feature that you dream of within your app. Otherwise, you can automate the whole process by just integrating APIs that can instantly add features to your app. Gear up, we are bringing to your table a good number of recommendations to give your app some superpowers!

What is API Integration?

API integration is a process where two or more apps or services use an API (Application Programming Interface) to share data between each other and automate their tasks. In simple terms, APIs are a set of regulations that facilitates multiple software applications to interact with each other. 

 

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How Do APIs Work in Your Apps?

Before we step into the tips and recommendations, let’s quickly remind you how Application Programming interfaces (or APIs) work within your app. Well, as you know your app is a set of codes written with a specific purpose. When a user interacts with your app, he/ she will not be able to understand the app’s language. The language needs to be translated into a medium that a user can understand.

In the same way, an app cannot understand an user’s command. It needs to be translated into the language understandable by your mobile or web-based app. APIs take care of this translation and information exchange. It gets the information from one end, deciphers the data and delivers it to the other endpoint without the need for human intervention to manually translate the information.

Best 12 API Integration Tips to Integrate In-App Communication Features

1. Create an API Requirement Checklist

The foremost step in integrating an API into your app is to be clear of your app’s purpose. While an ocean of APIs are available across the internet, it is necessary that you select the right and relevant features that can meet your user’s needs. Write them down and prioritize every feature that is essential.  

2. Android, iOS, Or Web APIs – Which Development Platform Is The Right Match?

Apps can be built across multiple platforms – Android, iOS and Web. Make sure that you choose APIs that are compatible with your app’s platform. If you are building a cross platform app, integrating an API that is compatible with only one platform may mess up your app’s performance on the other platforms. So, it is highly recommended that you check on the platform compatibility of your apps before deciding to use them.

3. Start With Free APIs – Don’t Thin Your Purses For Incompatible App Features

Several API providers across the globe are offering Free APIs that can be downloaded and integrated into your apps. This makes way to experience the features and functionalities before taking the big step of deciding the long-term API your app will.

4. Build A Mock-Up App Or Download A Sample App

Before you start integrating the features into your app, it would be wise to create a mock-up app to try and test the features. A trial app will help you experience the functionalities even before you decide on the API purchase.

Similarly, a mock-up app will help you foresee the opportunities and issues in the app you are building with the APIs. If it seems too much of a work to create a mock-up app, API providers these days are offering downloadable sample apps, in which you can test their features. 

5. Get An API Key – It Takes Care Of The Security

Security is an important factor when integrating APIs into apps. Both the app and the API must be tracked and controlled from malicious and abusive attacks. The solution here is – API key. An API key acts as an authentication code to identify an app or an user and provides authorization when a call is made. 

 

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6. Do Not Skip The API Docs

API documentation can be defined as a manual for API integration with the fundamental instructions for its installation and configuration. You can find explanations on every parameter, request, response, code samples and examples of error messages. Following every step of the API Documentation will help anyone integrate an API into an app with no or minimum coding knowledge. 

7. Keep Your Backend Data Safe

API integration drives the way for new features, new users and eventually new threats. While front ends are shielded using authentication strategies, developers must focus on creating checkpoints at the back end to prevent any intervention of potential vulnerabilities.

8. Choose Your Payment Style

On deciding on the features, choose the pricing model you will need for your requirement. Most providers offer APIs and SDKs are available for a periodic subscription (SaaS – Software as a Service) and for a one-time license cost (SaaP – Software as a Product). Depending on the requirements, go for the right subscription model just with the awareness of the package’s effect on your app.

9. Paid APIs Have It All!

Providers across the globe offer a wide range of APIs that are available on payment. Once you’ve decided on the pricing model, you may check on the providers who offer the essential features for your app. Whether it is SaaS or SaaP, it is necessary to ensure that everything you need from an API for your app is achieved right from a reliable provider. 

10. Give Users The Access They Need

While integrating the APIs into your app, you may have to make sure that the features are universally accessible to consumers. In this case, developers should choose Public APIs available for easy integration and global accessibility. 

11. Audit APIs Before Jumping Into Integration

After integrating the features, check the app responsiveness so that users get a decent viewing experience in whatever device they use. Check if the design, features and functionalities of your app are error-free in all devices and browsers.

Google prioritizes mobile-friendly pages. Therefore, it would be wise to Identify errors and issues by automating test scenarios for each API feature. Clear them before launching your app live to provide your users with a flawless app experience.

12. Where You Store Your Data Matters!

Data Storage Location: An app’s data can generally be stored in 2 ways – locally and remotely. When data is stored locally, it saves battery life and uses low bandwidths. Whereas, if data is stored remotely, it leads to quick processing on the server, eliminating longer load times. 

What Should You Look for in an API Provider?

The most important step in API integration is the selection of the right provider. When you start with this process, you will have to consider the below factors to ensure that you make the right choice. 

• Features offered by the provider
• Cost and Pricing Model
• Security Checkpoints
• Customization opportunities 
• Ease of Integration
• Usability
• Clear API Documentation
• Support during the Integration Process
• Scalability of the APIs
• Demo Availability

Conclusion

To sum up, API integration is both an interesting and important part of developing a highly scalable app. One of the most popular providers who can help you achieve these recommendations with utmost ease is MirrorFly. Interestingly they support both self-managed (one-time license cost) and on-cloud (monthly subscription) pricing models to help you conveniently use our SDKs as per your needs. 

Guess what? The APIs and SDKs offered by MirrorFly tick all items in the provider checklist above. 
Explore our features beyond your imagination now!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Further Reading

• How to Build A Flutter Video Call App in 2024?
• How to Build a React JS Video Chat App in 2024?
• How to Build an Android Voice and Video Calling App Using Java?
• Communication APIs: Top 7 In-app Chat, Voice & Video APIs
• Top 9 Secured Web Services to Build Your Own Video Calling App