APIs are the tools that help every business and even member of the public get more out of their software. They are the invisible bridge that links together software so that innovative solutions can be enjoyed. While they may not have a front face per se, they are essential components that can make or break a business.
Every company needs to understand APIs and how they can help their business. While small companies won’t have the time or means to develop their own API solutions, larger companies (especially tech businesses) should make it their priority.
If you find your dev teams are struggling with developing effective APIs in a timely manner, then it’s time to shake things up and use this guide to help boost efficiency and productivity.
Work With Your Team to Understand The Missing Tools
APIs must solve a problem. If they link together two programs in a way that no one needs, that will have been a wasted effort. Workshopping with your teams to help identify key pressure points in their workflow and how an API can solve that issue is a great place to start. You should also conduct market research and even bring in focus groups to help you understand what your API should be focussed on.
APIs can help solve existing problems or improve current situations. They’re used most commonly as security, payment, or authorization tools, but really they can be used to link together any server or program with a client or device.
Upgrade the Development and Management Platform
The right platform can help speed up development, cut down on the time it takes for an API to be market-ready, and also helps you efficiently distribute, analyze, and manage your APIs. For best results, choose a cloud-based API management platform. This gives you the ability to seamlessly upgrade your investment as necessary so you can keep up with demand or reduce operations and costs while you rework your API solution.
Choosing a cloud-based solution also allows for more hassle-free collaboration, so you can hire developers outside of your normal sphere and get the best people on your team.
Analyze Response
Analysis is a key component of any development effort. If you aren’t actively looking at the first-hand and second-hand feedback to help improve your API development and even inform new API tools, then you aren’t running your business effectively. First-hand accounts refer to questionnaires and reviews. If your API tool gets reviewed and those reviews get published, immediately have someone on your team take note of what is good about your API and, more importantly, what needs to be improved. The same applies to less formal feedback, like user reviews.
Analysis should, of course, extend to user behavior. If your API is used often, and it doesn’t seem that there are any hiccups in action, you have a solid program on your hands. From there, use the feedback you get to either iron out any kinks or to keep in mind for the next project.
