Web solutions have significantly changed the world and provided us with unlimited business opportunities. With growing business opportunities, the need for new apps and websites with better customer experience has also increased. It is now easier for both startups and organizations to enter the digital world and attract potential customers' attention.

While some business owners might afford to invest time and money in developing high-quality apps and websites, this isn’t the case with startups. They must go forward with the development more quickly owing to limited resources. This is when third-party integrations can be helpful.

In this blog, we'll share ideas on how clients can use third-party APIs to improve their application functionality. Software owners who wish to add more features to their apps or who are just starting out can also benefit from this blog.

What is third-party API?

The API, or Application Programming Interface, functions as a messenger that handles requests and ensures flawless system performance. It enables connectivity between data, applications, and devices. The finer the API is designed, the easier it connects to a given service.

Let us understand the concept of API using a simple analogy. Imagine placing a food order at a hotel. You go through the menu and list your order to the waiter, who then communicates it to the chef. Now consider, you are a device or an application, the waiter here is an API, and the chef here is any third-party application. Once your order is ready, the waiter serves it to you. Likewise, an API acts as a messenger that facilitates interaction between two devices to get the desired result.

Third-party APIs are stored on external servers. To get access to its functionality, developers either use Javascript libraries or send an HTTP request to a particular URL. As a result, the user's request will move from the application to the respective server, fetch the requested service, and return back to the user on the application.

Why Use Third-Party API?

Integrating third-party services significantly cuts down the development time. Clients can integrate an existing solution into their system, rather than writing new code from scratch. Nevertheless, one should be careful when selecting third-party sources. Unreliable sources and poor tools can negatively impact the performance of the applications. Therefore to have a good app experience and improved quality, clients must use well-known and trusted third-party sources.

Pros and Cons of Third-Party APIs

An API designed by a third - party will have certain rules and standards, therefore it is not always the best option if you have to customise it for certain clientele or business requirements. However, it can be an effective solution and meet business requirements most of the time.

It's not always necessary to design them from scratch. For instance, using Google Maps is equally as convenient as designing and implementing a navigation platform with an internal API.

Additionally, there is very little maintenance required because you do not own the Third Party API. Third-Party APIs are trustworthy if you choose a decent service, and they may give you all the data that you will need to manage your organization without the effort of implementing it yourself.

Moreover, a third-party API might give you access to a fresh viewpoint on a problem your in-house developers wouldn't have.

However, it is important to note that the Third Party API rules and regulations can be constricting, and therefore you should be careful before opting for one.

Takeaway

API integrations enable the components of your technical stack to interact with each other and exchange data seamlessly.

Third-party API integrations can improve your application capabilities, enhance the user experience, and simplify app functionality.Clients can integrate valuable data and useful features into their existing applications, thus improving their value and usability.

However, each project is distinct and significantly depends on the defined business goals. Therefore, the development team must evaluate how a specific solution will address a problem.

At Invimatic, we frequently make use of third-party APIs for both large and small projects. We've worked on numerous integration projects and know which ones are most effective in different situations. If you are looking for a software company to help you add more features to an existing app or have a new project vision, we would be happy to help you.