The global economic value of APIs is expected to double over the next three years!
Don’t believe us?
Well, according to a McKinsey analysis, the redistribution of revenues across sectors within ecosystems enabled by APIs is estimated to generate about $1 trillion in total economic profit globally.
But what is an API?
In very simple terms, an API is a set of instructions and standards that must be followed by a software or app to employ the features and services offered by another software. Short for Application Programming Interface, APIs allow different apps to communicate with each other to make a more powerful digital product. A common example to understand how APIs work can be the weather app on your phone. The app “communicates†with the weather bureau’s software system to fetch the latest weather information for you.
APIs have become incredibly important for modern software development and digital services as they act as the connective tissue between different software applications, enabling them to share data and functionality with each other in a very secure manner. By letting you enhance the functionality of your new app or software without building them from scratch, APIs save you a lot of time, effort, and resources too!
In this blog, let us take you through everything you need to know about how superior API development services from Seasia Infotech will help your business unlock unparallelled growth.
Understanding API Development Further
I’m sure you are now familiar with the purpose an API serves, but do you know how they work? Our experts can break it down for you.
The architecture of APIs can be best explained in terms of client and server communication. In an arrangement where two software applications are involved, the one sending out requests is the client, and the one sending responses is the server. Depending upon when and why they were developed, APIs typically work in the following four ways.
SOAP APIs
One of the oldest methods, SOAP APIs are less flexible. The client and server in APIs that use Simple Object Access Protocol exchange messages with each other using XML.
RPC APIs
Also known as Remote Procedure Calls, these APIs follow a unique method of communication wherein the client completes a function (or procedure) on the server, and the output is later sent out back to the client.
Websocket APIs
Websocket APIs pass data using JSON objects. By supporting a two-way communication between the client and the server apps, they enable the server to send callback messages to connected clients. These are the most efficient APIs we have presently.
REST APIs
REST APIs are currently the most commonly used APIs on the web, thanks to their flexibility. After the client sends requests to the server in the form of data, the server uses this input to start internal functions and return output data.
GraphQL
GraphQL is a query language that makes it possible for APIs to give precise and accurate responses to client queries. Developed specifically for APIs, GraphQL is what makes APIs fast, developer-friendly, and more flexible than REST APIs.
Now that we have discussed the types of APIs based on their architecture, let’s take a quick look at the different categories APIs are classified into based on their scope of use.
Private APIs – Private APIs are used to connect systems and data within a business, and thus, are internal to the
Public APIs – Public APIs can be used by everyone, and the developer or owner of the API decides if they want to charge for it.
Partner APIs – Available to authorized external developers only, the reason to create partner APIs is to aid business-to-business partnerships.
Composite APIs – When two or more APIs are combined to address complex system requirements, the resultant is called a composite API.
There has been an increased focus on API development lately because of the numerous business expansion possibilities APIs bring to the table. In addition to facilitating interoperability and integration with different software systems, APIs help drive rapid innovation by enabling organizations to experiment, iterate, and develop new features more quickly. We will discuss all the benefits of custom API development in detail in the next section.
Benefits of Custom API Development
There are several benefits of investing in custom API development for ambitious businesses.
Enhanced Integration
By enabling seamless integration across different systems like ERPs and CRMs, custom APIs facilitate process automation and help offer personalized experiences for customers.
Increased Efficiency
Since custom APIs reduce manual intervention significantly, they come across as a cost-effective option for businesses. They save time and resources, and therefore, help bring operational expenses significantly down.
Scalability & Flexibility
If you want to scale your operations effortlessly while integrating new features and expanding to new markets, custom APIs is the way to go. Custom APIs also provide businesses with the flexibility to tailor solutions to your unique processes and workflows.
Data Management & Security
Since custom APIs offer better control over data, they enable businesses to decide how data is accessed, modified, and shared, contributing to data security and integrity. Additionally, they make businesses more scalable and secure by implementing different authentication mechanisms.
Productivity & Innovation
Custom APIs increase the overall productivity of a business by enabling faster load times and reducing processing overhead. Other than that, they also provide numerous opportunities for innovation and scalability, helping businesses gain a competitive edge and build a strong brand identity.
Seasia Infotech’s API Development Expertise
We harness a diverse range of programming languages and frameworks to deliver state-of-the-art API solutions. Our expertise includes but is not limited to:
- Node.js: Leveraging this powerful JavaScript environment, our developers build scalable and efficient APIs that handle asynchronous operations and data-intensive real-time applications without compromise.
- Python: Known for its simplicity and readability, Python allows our team to develop complex APIs quickly. We utilize frameworks like Django and Flask to ensure robust, secure, and maintainable code.
- .NET: Our developers use .NET to create APIs that are highly secure and scalable, making it ideal for enterprises requiring reliable applications that integrate seamlessly with their existing Microsoft infrastructure.
- Java: Utilizing Java, we craft cross-platform APIs that benefit from one of the most stable and reliable programming environments, ensuring consistent performance across all platforms.
- Ruby on Rails: For rapid development cycles, we utilize Ruby on Rails, which allows us to build high-quality APIs that are both flexible and scalable, with a fraction of the code required by other frameworks.
- PHP: Our team is also skilled in PHP, using frameworks like Laravel to develop APIs that are not only fast and secure but also feature-rich and optimized for performance.
Our development team stays at the forefront of technology by continuously upgrading skills and adopting the latest advancements in API development. Whether you are looking for an API to streamline internal operations, enable third-party integrations, or unlock new digital products, our commitment to using the best tools for the job means that your API will not only meet current technical requirements but also be future proof!
Our Development Process
As industry veterans, we do realize how API development is an intricate process that requires due diligence and effort. That is why, we divide our API development services in the following phases:
Discovery & Planning
Every successful API project begins with a deep dive into your business requirements. At Seasia Infotech, we initiate our process with a comprehensive discovery session to fully understand your needs, challenges, and goals. Our team collaborates closely with yours to map out a detailed project plan, setting a solid foundation for a tailored API solution that integrates seamlessly with your existing systems and supports your strategic ambitions.
Design & Development
Our design phase involves crafting a robust API system architecture that is both scalable and secure. Leveraging cutting-edge technology and best practices, our developers create a blueprint that outlines all critical components of the API. Throughout the development phase, we adhere to agile methodologies to ensure that the final product is not only functional but also fully customized to serve your unique business processes.
Testing & Integration
Quality assurance is paramount at Seasia Infotech. We employ a rigorous testing process to ensure the highest levels of reliability and performance of your APIs. Our comprehensive testing suite simulates various real-world scenarios to identify any potential issues before going live. We also ensure that the API integrates flawlessly with other software components for a seamless experience across all platforms and systems.
Deployment & Maintenance
Deployment is only the beginning of our journey with you. Post-launch, we provide ongoing support and maintenance to ensure optimal performance. Our team monitors API usage and health, promptly addressing any issues and rolling out updates and security patches as needed. We also offer continuous improvement plans to ensure your API solution remains cutting-edge and competitive.
How much does API development cost?
Developing even the most basic API that is secure and well-documented could cost anywhere around $25,000.
Why Choose Us
At Seasia Infotech, we pride ourselves on our ability to deliver custom API solutions faster than our competitors. Our dedicated team of experts uses the latest tools and methodologies to ensure rapid development without compromising on quality. Furthermore, understanding that no two businesses are alike, we excel in creating highly customized API solutions that are tailored to meet the specific demands of your business. Whether integrating with legacy systems or developing a new set of services, our flexible approach ensures that the final product is perfectly aligned with your strategic goals. In addition to that, with 24/7 monitoring and support, we guarantee that any issues are swiftly identified and resolved, minimizing downtime and ensuring continuous service availability.
Don't let technical limitations hold back your business potential. With Seasia Infotech, you gain a partner dedicated to your success, equipped with the tools, expertise, and passion to deliver bespoke API solutions. Contact us today to discover how our tailored API services could benefit your business!
FAQs
What is API development?
API development is the process of creating an application programming interface that lets different software applications communicate and exchange data with each other.
How do we develop API?
Seasia Infotech follows a phased approach to API development. We start with determining the requirements and designing it. The next steps are development and implementation of the API. Post implementation, the API is tested thoroughly for verification of responses, and monitored for a while to find improvements.
Is API development easy?
API development can be made easier by determining the requirements and target users, designing the API structure, developing one endpoint at a time, using the right tools and frameworks, and providing clear, comprehensive documentation.
What does API mean in software development?
In software development, API is a set of protocols that enable different software applications to communicate with each other for sharing data, functionality, and features.
What is API in web development?
APIs play the same role in software development, web development, and mobile app development. However, in the context of web development, APIs extend the functionality of web browsers and are typically used to manipulate documents, fetch data from servers, draw graphics, and handle video/audio.
What is API driven development?
API driven development is the practice of starting the development process by building the APIs first, and later creating the rest of an application around them. Some noteworthy benefits of API driven development include faster application development, modular and distributed architecture, improved developer experience, and increased flexibility and scalability.
