Michigan Business Owners: Connect Your Software and Grow Smarter

Spooked by API? Don't be. It's the Easiest Way to Boost Your Bottom Line.

Business moves fast — today, faster than ever before. If you’re not online, you’re not reaching your full sales potential. Even Michigan businesses that are online may still be wasting time and money by not using the tools already at their fingertips.

Let’s not waste time.

You can improve efficiency, cut costs, and grow smarter by connecting the apps and software your business already uses through safe, secure technology to automate tasks and streamline operations. The process is known as “Application Programming Interface” or API integration, and while it might sound technical, it’s less intimidating than it seems. Chances are, you’ve used it without even realizing.

API is a simple process that allows different software systems to talk to each other, helping your business run smoother and scale up more easily. Whether you want to accept payments online, manage customer relationships, or communicate better with your team, learning how to implement these digital tools can make an enormous difference for your bottom line.

What is an API?

An API is essentially a “messenger” or “bridge” that helps different software systems to share specific information or functions securely. If you’ve ever visited a site that allowed you to “use Google to sign in,” bought something online with Paypal, or pulled photos for social media directly from a social media account connected to your phone’s photo app, you’ve used an API.

See? Not so scary. In fact, using an API to automate those processes and others is not only faster and removes the risk of human error, but is often more secure than manually inputting your information into a new website, or in the case of a small business owner, storing all of your customer’s sensitive data.

So how does it work? To put it in a metaphor, it’s like visiting a Big John’s in Flint. You walk up to the counter and tell the cashier what you want, then minutes later, the steak and onion sandwich you wanted is brought out to you. Placing your order was like a software requesting a function, the cashier acting as an API, told the kitchen (the secondary software) about your request and the action was fulfilled. You didn’t have to make the sandwich or wrap it, but now you have it ready to go.

APIs work much the same way by making complex processes simpler for you and your customer. Software with specific functions like Paypal and Venmo, or that users tend to trust more, such as Google or Facebook, allow for easier functionality across platforms.

How Can API Save My Business Money?

The #1 way integrating API into your business’ software can save money is by removing repetitive tasks. You could spend your entire day inputting information from web forms into customer emails to verify details of an order, or you can let a software designed with that purpose do the work for you.

The purpose of API is to automate (and thus remove) repetitive tasks. By streamlining that which can be delegated to a program, you can free up yourself and your team to focus on other matters of business.

The same goes for your customers. Customers who forget their password for your site are more likely to abandon ship than try and try again. They’re also more likely to abandon their cart than fill out an entire shipping and payment form when other sites allow them to pay with a simple and trusted source like Paypal or Venmo.

API integration can also help you boost your visibility by automatically connecting to social media apps or other customer relationship management software.

By connecting to popular tools, you’re building your business on top of an existing service without re-inventing the wheel. Not only does this make your business look more reputable, but you create a more streamlined and enjoyable experience for yourself and the customer.

API integration is also an effective means of improving communication within your team. By connecting apps used across different departments, you can create a smoother flow of information. For instance, your sales team can access customer data updated in real-time by the support team. This means fewer errors and quicker decision-making, allowing your team to work more efficiently.

Can APIs be Trusted with My Customers’ Information?

APIs are often safer than obtaining and storing a customer’s data yourself, not to mention cheaper too. In every case, before an API is allowed to access your customer’s information, they’re asked permission to create the connection. APIs also use encryption to make sure data transfers are secure and only access the data necessary to complete an action quickly.

Say you integrate with Google, your customer will be asked to give your site permission to contact Google and verify their identity. Your site would then essentially contact Google to see if they say who they claim to be, and if the person verifies their identity through email and Google says “yes,” they’re allowed in. This creates a simple two-factor authentication that’s even safer than a regular username and password. Furthermore, your site only receives certain, limited information, such as a name, email address and in some cases, a profile picture with additional permissions requested.

Payment software allows a customer to transfer money from their bank account or debit card without ever sharing their sensitive information directly to your site, limiting liability.

How Are APIs Created? (In simple terms)

APIs are created by a developer who establishes a set of “rules” for how the software should communicate. These pathways are created intentionally so other apps can connect and “talk” to one another, allowing each to do the job they were created to do.

How Can Your Business Get Started?

I’ve thrown a lot at you, and there’s a lot to consider when thinking of integrating new tools to improve your business. The good news is that you don’t need to completely overhaul your operation to get started.

Start with a small, simple integration. Identify one repetitive task that could be automated, like sending order confirmations or syncing calendars. Once you see the benefits, you’ll be ready to scale up to other processes.

Next, you’ll want to find existing APIs that match your business’s needs. Web developers like Queue Development can help your business find the right solution, then integrate it with your website or systems to ensure smooth operation.

APIs are a powerful tool for businesses of any size, yet many don’t know what they are or how to use them. APIs can help you iron out the kinks in your website, open up new opportunities, and stop wasting time, effort, and money. Get in touch with Queue Development today to start the conversation about how your business could benefit from API integration, and how the process can be painless and effective in scaling your business faster.