API stands for Application Programming Interface. Most website owners will not need an API for their site but, at times, an API is required to add a specific function. API is a term widely used but, in most cases, it means a custom integration between your website and a third party software.

For instance, you have an eCommerce site and it needs to integrate payment with your merchant account company. The bridge built between your site’s checkout page and your merchant account requires an API. It is lines or pages of code that build the connection between a site and the third party.

Because APIs are above standard website development, they do add to the cost of building a website. Understand too that, if you have a good programmer working for you, the only limitations will be with the 3rd party company. They are the ones who allow specific connections with their software. Your coder then build the code based on the API instructions given to him or her by the third party company.

Other common API are connections with:

• Point of sale systems for retail stores
• Accounting software
• Inventory management programs
• Customer relationship management software
• Content management systems
• Marketing platform for email send-outs or others
• Online storage or library
• Etc…

If you are working with a web designer who is unfamiliar with API and nonetheless something needed on your site, we can help. We can work side by side with your designer and do the custom programming needed to bridge the connection between your site and the software you want to integrate with.