Have you ever thought while using Google Maps that how can one app deliver such relevant information based on just your location? The answer is Application Programming Interface or more popularly referred to as APIs.

APIs are an excellent programming shortcut that helps developers and coders when building an app or website. It provides them with numerous functions and operations instead of building one from scratch. To put it simply, at its core, APIs allow applications to communicate with each other.

Nowadays, whether you take notice or not, APIs are everywhere. From Google Maps to Facebook, thousands of APIs allow such organizations to integrate almost any operations you can think of.

Thus, where a first-party API integration uses your in-house API to power an in-house developed app functionality, third-party API integrations require a third-party API to power the in-house app or web development.

However, not all that glitters is gold. So naturally, where there are many benefits of third-party APIs, there are some potential concerns too. Let’s take a look!

Pros and Potential Concerns of Third Party APIs

Pros

The following are the major pros when it comes to third-party API integrations.

1. Quick deployment of the program

The approach of buying a third-party API for integration for an in-house app rather than developing one alongside allows for quick and efficient program deployment. There is no need to wait for perfecting both repeatedly to work. As soon as the core app is ready, you can work on its operations, functionality, and integration.

2. Saves time and money to focus on core product

Integrating a third-party API means that your developers and coders have more time to efficiently integrate the API than to spend time on building and developing and then integrating. This will not only save resources like time and money for your developers but free up their time to focus on other things like developing the core product.

3. No resource constraints allow access to better features

Now that your developers and coders are not constricted due to limited resources, primarily monetary, you have the freedom to go for whichever features you may prefer. Therefore, integrating third-party apps is great for startups. It enables them to add features that would be challenging for them to develop on their own, given the resource constraints in in-house development. The chances of these features being better are because they will be taken from experts in the field. 

4. Secure data access for startup

In addition to enabling access to better features for startups, integrating third-party APIs also allows them to gain secure and easy access to data, which would be difficult for them otherwise to obtain on their own. 

For instance, consider an online food ordering platform. Apps like these utilize to focus on third-party API integrations to provide them with the necessary data of reaching to a local customer base living nearby the restaurants. 

Potential Concerns

The following are some of the potential concerns given the choice of third-party API integrations.

1. Issues with multiple external dependencies

Given all the efficient performances and advances of third-party API integrations, you need to know when to stop. Integrating too many third-party APIs can be chaotic for the overall structure of your app. 

As you will have multiple external dependencies for your service’s utmost performance, an issue with anyone of them would create havoc for your core service. Various external dependencies may also cause difficulties when integrating with third-party options in the future.

2. Cost as per the value provided by the API

Cost is one of the main potential concerns for everyone, especially for platforms governing third-party APIs and dealing with cost-conscious customers like students asking to write my assignment UK. 

The reason is that you have to choose what suits best with your company and the core product. While you may even get cheaper options in buying third-party APIs relative to building one in-house, paying for relevant data doesn’t come cheap.

There is no way you can avoid a hefty amount, but you can make sure if it is worth it by considering the cost in relation to the amount of value the API will provide to your core product.

3. Variation in latency and uptime

Where there will be a variety of different environments, it is given that there will be variation and latency and uptime of each. 

As you will be extracting data from so many different providers, they will have their own performance time. This can cook up some disaster for both your organization and your customer is given how slow the processes turn out to be.

4. Selecting the right provider

Selecting the right provider is crucial, whether you are looking for Dissertation Assistance or APIs. It can make or break your end product. That is why it is one of the main concerns when it comes to choosing third-party APIs. If you find yourself considering and leaning towards integrating a third-party API, you might want to check out Facebook, Google, or Twitter’s API as your top three choices. 

That being said, startups should take extra precautions when selecting an API partner because going for a smaller company’s API may not allow them to take aid from them if something goes haywire. However, a significant company like Google will always be around if you face problems.

Bottom Line

All in all, choosing to go for third-party API integration is not that difficult if you know your exact requirement and a designated budget. Hopefully, the pros and potential concerns help you make a steady decision of choosing the right third-party API integration for your app development. 

Good Luck!

Samantha Kaylee is currently working as a Planning Manager at Crowd Writer, a platform known for excellent essay writing service UK. She has gained significant fan-following after her blog write-ups. People like the relatability factor of her opinions on all things technology and digital as well as lifestyle.