Application programming interfaces (APIs) integrate with different platforms to streamline operations, automate processes, and provide valuable insights. From online payments to live news updates, APIs enable you to add new features and improve your site’s functionality and user experience (UX).

Read on to understand common types of APIs, how they work, and which ones best fit your needs.

What’s an API?

APIs allow different tools and platforms to communicate and send data between each other. They bridge external sources and your website by offering a standardized web development method for requesting extra features, services, and data.

For example, you can use APIs to embed interactive maps, fetch social media feeds, or process payments. These connections put all the resources your audience needs in one place, improving your site’s functionality.

How do APIs work?

APIs act as messengers between your website and other services. Say you want your site to display the current weather for a specific location. The website sends a request to a weather API asking for the latest data. The API’s server processes the request and returns the weather information, which your site displays to visitors.

To interact with an API like this, you’ll often need an API key — a unique code that identifies your website and ensures that only authorized users can make requests. This helps maintain site security and prevents people from misusing the API.

5 types of APIs

Here are the five API types, each with unique benefits and use cases:

1. Public APIs, or open APIs, are accessible to external developers. You can use public APIs to connect different platforms or add features to your site. For instance, a business directory site might use a public API from a mapping service to display the locations of nearby stores.

2. Private APIs are for in-house teams and allow internal systems to communicate. For example, a private API can connect your HR system with payroll to synchronize employee data. External parties can’t access them.

3. Partner APIs allow you to collaborate with trusted third parties or affiliates. Companies use partner APIs to allow their systems to interact securely with specific business partners. For example, an ecommerce website might connect to a shipping company’s website through a partner API to track orders and send updates.

4. Composite APIs merge multiple APIs into one interface. They’re helpful when websites and visitors request data from various sources. For example, a travel site can use this tool to fetch data from flight, hotel, and car rental sites with one request for a seamless booking experience.

5. Representational state transfer APIs, or REST APIs, follow a set of guidelines for creating scalable web services. They define the actions performed on web resources. For example, a social media platform can use a REST API to post updates, retrieve user profiles, and display activity feeds.

Common business applications for APIs

APIs integrate various third-party services and functionalities with your website. Here are a few ways to use them for your business:

• Payment processing APIs allow websites to handle online transactions securely. For example, Webflow supports payment APIs for ecommerce sites, making it easier to manage business transactions. With these integrations, developers can offer various payment options, streamline the checkout process with dedicated payment pages, and ensure customer privacy.
• Social media APIs enable sites to display feeds and share content. People can also log in using their accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, Pinterest, and other platforms. These streamlined processes broaden your site’s reach and make it convenient for people to interact with your page.
• Marketing automation APIs can automate email campaigns, manage contacts, and track user behavior. You can use these interfaces to gain insights into campaign performance and personalize ads for your target audience.
• Analytics and reporting APIs offer insights into site traffic, visitor behavior, and conversion rates. Adding these integrations allows you to collect and analyze data directly on your website, which you can use to make informed decisions for improving your site’s content and functionality. That’s why Webflow’s APIs work seamlessly with third-party analytics services — so you can track and optimize site performance.
• Customer support APIs allow you to integrate live chatbots, support ticket systems, and customer service portals directly into your website. This improves user satisfaction by providing immediate assistance and support when customers need it.
• Content management APIs enable quick content updates, integration with third-party plugins, and custom functionality for your site. Instead of manually coding, you can use these tools to maintain your content without extensive technical expertise.

6 of the best API platforms for websites

Here are six API providers that help websites connect and work smoothly, improving the UX.

1. Webflow APIs

Type: REST and CMS APIs

Webflow offers powerful APIs that help you extend your site’s functionality. Here are a few types:

• CMS API: Add, update, and delete dynamic content.
• Forms API: Send data from Webflow forms directly to external sources.
• Assets API: Manage assets like images and files.
• Designer API: Automate actions in Webflow Designer, such as creating and styling elements or managing pages.
• Webhooks: Receive real-time updates when something happens on your site, like if a visitor fills out a contact form.

Webflow’s APIs are designed to work with third-party tools, enabling advanced integrations such as automating workflows, syncing databases, and adding analytics tools or payment gateways.

2. Google APIs

Type: Public APIs

Here are a few types of APIs Google offers:

• Google Maps API provides detailed maps and location data. It has customizable maps you can tailor to fit your site’s design. Plus, Google’s real-time updates ensure services like directions and distance calculations are always accurate.
• Google Analytics API enables websites to access and analyze visitor behavior patterns and data. With this API, you can track interactions, monitor performance, and gain insights into demographics. Use this information to make data-driven decisions about how to optimize your site.
• Google Calendar API allows sites to create, access, and manage calendar events. It’s useful for scheduling meetings and managing events.
• Google Drive API lets you access Google Drive functionalities, such as uploading, downloading, and organizing files on the cloud. It’s a secure and scalable storage solution for document sharing and collaboration.

3. Social media APIs

Type: Public and Partner APIs

Social media platforms like Facebook offer APIs that allow sites to access user profiles, posts, and media, providing you with analytics and insights. You can use these web integrations to embed social media content into your site, encouraging engagement through likes and shares. Plus, these APIs offer visitors a seamless and direct login experience.

4. mediastack

Type: Public and REST APIs

mediastack provides real-time news data, including articles, headlines, and metadata. The platform pulls information from over 7,500 sources in 50 countries and supports 13 languages.

It has a scalable API layer cloud architecture that allows multiple sources to communicate. And the JSON-driven format ensures the connection is lightweight and doesn’t slow down your website. Plus, with mediastack’s free plan, you can immediately access an API key and implement news feeds into your site.

5. Stripe

Type: Public and REST API

The Stripe API facilitates online transactions and supports various payment methods, including credit cards and digital wallets. Like mediastack, it uses JSON and REST-encoded responses.

Stripe is highly secure and compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), providing advanced fraud detection to ensure customer safety. The platform’s scalability also means it grows with your business and can handle increased transaction volumes.

6. OpenWeather

Type: Public API

OpenWeather API provides live weather updates, forecasts, and historical climate data. It also offers location-based information, such as temperature, humidity, and wind speed.

This API is ideal for services that depend on weather conditions, such as travel websites. OpenWeather has multiple integration options, including hourly or daily forecasts, road risks, and air pollution documentation.

Take your website to the next level with Webflow

APIs improve your website’s user experience by making processes like logging in and checking out faster and more intuitive. They also help your team work more efficiently and offer valuable insights so marketers, designers, and developers alike can make data-driven strategy decisions.

With Webflow, you can use various APIs to extend your website’s functionality. Whether you’re managing dynamic content with the CMS API, processing form submissions with the Forms API, or handling files through the Assets API, Webflow boosts your site’s capabilities.

Plus, Webflow’s developer community provides access to existing apps and integrations, giving you even more options to create a dynamic and scalable website. Get started with Webflow and our APIs today.