API, also known as “Application Programming Interface”, has changed the way we use the internet, develop codes and software, and interact with other programs, applications, and software.
There are more than 24000 APIs registered online with 2 Million+ API repositories on GitHub. All of the technological connection and communication is pretty much driven through CMS or WordPress API integration; which is user-friendly, and flexible to use.
90% of developers use any kind of APIs, among which:
- 69% use third party APIs
- 20% use internal APIs
A WordPress REST API allows you to connect your WordPress website with any other external software or application for using any features, functionalities or connect with another framework fetching WordPress data.
In simpler words, API connects and lets the applications or software communicate with one another without intervention in one another’s system.
How Does API Work?
Wondering how API works, let’s understand it through a real life example.
For instance, there is an Airline company who sells its tickets first hand. Another third-party service provider (Company1) proposes to sell and book that Airline’s tickets through them. The airline company will not disclose its personal data or credentials to Company1 to make changes in its system due to security and confidentiality reasons (which is, anyhow, irrelevant to Company1), but it will provide an API key to Company1. Company1, using the WordPress API key, requests to access the airline’s web server and after authentication, books their tickets taking out their own commission.
The API key will become the endpoint of Company1 to proceed with the airline company and the rest will be handled by the airline company itself.
When to Use the WordPress REST API?
Before even knowing WordPress REST API, you are using one; for example your credentials to log into your instagram or facebook account are automatically filled in the login form. It is a REST API!
You must use WordPress REST API:
- When you don’t want to use PHP
If you intend to write a plugin or theme or other external application as JavaScript application or standalone program in any other programming language besides PHP, use WordPress REST API to access content with WordPress site.
- For Better Performance
Developers create edge-cutting features without using a lot of server-side resources with the help of WordPress REST API. Features developed with the help of WordPress API are much faster, user-friendly and responsive than using PHP.
Exploring the Benefits of Integrating Your Website with an API
For any kind of business, API integration presents different benefits to grow and engage with scalable solutions. They implement certain APIs for website automation, saving time and cost, etc.
Let’s explore some of the benefits of API integration in your WordPress website:
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Uplift Innovation
According to a Salesforce report, 88% of customers during Covid-19 expected accelerated digital initiatives. Among many other innovations API has brought, providing tools like website automation tools remains on the top. These tools enable developers to access data and functionalities from other applications and software.
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Increased Automation
API integrations have boosted content management automation to a whole new level. APIs are a must for the agility of website automation, improving automated processes and making manual tasks effortless, saving time and costs.
- Multiplied Customization Options
According to a report, 52% customers want personalized offers while 66% of them expect the businesses to understand their tailored requirements. APIs ‘access to other applications’ and software’s functionalities and features have improved customization of WordPress and other CMS websites and applications. The developers can now modify the websites according to their user’s and customers’ tailored needs.
- Reduced Development Time
One of the most significant advantages of an API is its synchronization across different development stages reducing time to develop the website or applications. Developers can communicate with one another without involving expert companies in the problem. End-users also have the advantage of embedded sign-ins and sign-ups in applications without using their credentials repeatedly.
- Simpler Codebase
A refined codebase application can deliver features and capabilities effortlessly. Complex elements have lengthy codebases. APIs have given the benefit of alleviating the complications through its portable app development. Developers don’t have to build features from the start; they only have to pick the features using individual APIs making the codebase less complicated and clumsy to use.
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Easier Payment Process
One of the most popular APIs is the transaction-issuing APIs found in all portable apps. Designers can easily incorporate these APIs in their systems to make it easier for the users to complete transactions without any complications. Some of the examples of transaction APIs are Stripe API, PayPal API and Square API that are commonly used.
6 Examples of How You Can Automate Your Website Easily Using the WordPress API
Lead Tracking
Help potential clients reach you and choose you over your competitors. Reaching out, providing competitive edge, references, generating quotes, answering questions all involve communication. All of the data transfer from the WordPress website form to CRM software can be automated through API integration.
Team Management
Managing a team is a huge task in itself. Creating space for communication and collaboration adds a lot to the advantage of the website. A team management software though an API integration boosts team cohesion making everything available on one platform.
Hiring and Recruitment
Automating the hiring process lets you find the right person for the job by filtering them for you instead of you going through each application one by one. You can also know the status of recruitment of the people applying for the job and selection of the candidate that suits best with the position.
Ecommerce
Adding an automation API in your ecommerce store alleviates a lot of tasks from your shoulders. Adding new customers to the mailing list and CRM, notifying inventory, warehouse and shipping, new purchases are done by the help of the API integration in your WooCommerce store or any other e-store you use for your business.
File Management and Storage
File management is painful if handled manually. It can clog your communication flow with the amount of space the data is going to take. To avoid overload on your WordPress website, you can use file storage API for automated content management systems, you can store and send files to the cloud with less loading time.
Customer Support
Your customer expects 24/7 service from you for their problems. Prompt customer service will help you gain loyal customers. Using API integrations for your help desk streamlines your customer support process keeping you and your customers sane.
WordPress API Examples
Developers use compatible APIs for WordPress websites to request features or access any setting, feature or data from one application/software to another. Here are some of the examples of WordPress API in action
Gutenberg: it is an editor application to access pages and post information. It collects data from WordPress allowing you to place your content with blocks.
Wired: A popular tech-publication Wired’s sync copy of their main website. It changes each time the main website changes.
AppPresser: It allows creation of iOS and Android apps to integrate with WordPress websites. It collects data from WordPress websites and modifies database content on the mobile apps.
Event Espresso: Event management and ticketing plugin used by WordPress REST API. With the help of this API integration plugin for WordPress websites, site owners make event info available to developers with an add-on for external apps and websites to use.
Is WordPress REST API Secure?
Sure it is. You might think that anyone may access your website and make changes without your permission via the API. Luckily, this is not the case. For every access and API request, you have the right to authenticate the API. Without confirmation, no one can enter the requested zone. It all depends upon your settings.
