For some businesses, reorienting themselves to become fully digitized is the next logical step. This is especially true for businesses in IT, fintech, entertainment, and other industries that heavily rely on technology to function. For other businesses, their inevitable digital transformation is seen as less urgent as it’s something that they can attempt in the future.
However, with advancements in technology continuing to change and shake things up, many businesses can quickly be left behind. Staying one step ahead of competitors and having an edge over them is especially important for many companies. If these are the most effective ways for their businesses to stay afloat, they should quickly adopt a more technological approach if they do not want to miss out.
While some methods for digitization are best reserved for the businesses that specialize in tech-related industries, processes like APIs (application programming interfaces) are versatile enough for any kind of business. But why would an API particularly be vital to any business? Here are a few reasons why:
Mobile enablement becomes easier
APIs allow two disparate software programs to communicate with each other, allowing integration and a constant exchange of data between the two platforms. If you want to make an app or website, APIs make it easy to keep track of upgrades and maintenance. It can be daunting to figure out what works for your business when you’re starting out, but using an API Design, Planning & Modeling Tool is extremely helpful.
With the right tool, you can keep in touch with your API development team to get real-time updates from them and keep an eye on how everything is going. Since API permits integration and a constant connection between different platforms, it has become easier to verify and analyze the data coming in as API has made it more standardized and accessible. Your company app or website can serve a number of purposes and still be able to benefit from API in this way.
Communicate and collaborate better with suppliers and partners
A common predicament that many business owners run into is maintaining a positive working relationship with their suppliers and partners. Oftentimes, working together efficiently can be hampered by several limitations, mostly from a lack of accessibility. If you’ve only relied on emails and exchanges made on messaging apps in the past, it is easy to feel on edge due to the lack of transparency.
The rise in popularity of different API-driven platforms has made it easy for different entities to share data with each other in a safer and more efficient way. Platforms like Dropbox, Trello, and Evernote have specific functions to help you and your partners keep tabs on different projects, urgent tasks, and do more in one place. You have a more direct and open line of communication and have access to different functions to collaboration.
Creating this kind of space can not only improve your relationships with your current suppliers and partners, but it can also enable you to expand your network as well. API-driven platforms are not too location-dependent and can enable you to work with individuals and companies from areas outside your state or even abroad. Physical and communication barriers become easier to overcome with API.
Interact better with your customers
API can be used for more than responding to customer inquiries and resolving their concerns. You can also leverage it to make your customers feel included by your business. APIs make it easy to keep active on social media because you can use it to build media and content networks that can help you engage with your customers. News aggregators like Flipboard have been successful in using API for this purpose to connect with their audience better.
Managing your social media accounts has also become a breeze with the integration of API across different sites and applications. Cross-posting across different profiles has become easier, better connected, and standardized with API. An Instagram story or post can lead people to your website or have them contacting you to ask about a product. It’s all about being visible where most of your customers are, which happens to be browsing social media.
Provide smoother and more convenient transactions
It is a known fact that many customers stay loyal to a certain brand or company because of how positive and convenient their overall experience is when it comes to transactions. The same can apply to online transactions done through your website or app. This is especially good for eCommerce businesses. Major beauty retailer Sephora has mastered this clever use of API to enhance customers’ experience with different functions.
Users on the site can easily be shade-matched to a foundation or see how a certain color of lipstick will look on them just from uploading a clear photo of themselves. Sephora also offers a wide array of payment options like PayPal, Sezzle, and EasyPay to make checking out quick and convenient for a wide array of people. By opening its API up to the features and functions of different third parties, Sephora has succeeded in offering user-friendly and easy transactions to customers.
In this day and age, technology has been made to be adaptable to fit the needs of businesses across different industries. Perhaps the most important benefit of becoming API-oriented is that doing so reduces response time and improves internal operations for any business. As our world continually becomes more modernized, agility is needed to be able to meet customer demands and have a competitive edge. Through this connected and cross-organizational nature of API, you can transform your business operations and services for the better.
