API Development & Integration

Technical Implementation

Professional API development encompasses RESTful API architecture adhering to OpenAPI 3.0 specifications with JSON/XML data interchange formats, GraphQL implementations for flexible query patterns reducing over-fetching, and WebSocket connections enabling real-time bidirectional communication for instant data synchronization. Authentication mechanisms include OAuth 2.0 authorization framework with PKCE extension for enhanced security, JWT (JSON Web Tokens) for stateless authentication with RS256 asymmetric signing, API key management with rate limiting and IP whitelisting, and mutual TLS authentication for service-to-service communication.

Integration architecture leverages webhook event-driven systems with exponential backoff retry logic, message queue implementations using RabbitMQ or AWS SQS for guaranteed delivery, ETL (Extract Transform Load) pipelines for batch processing with error handling and data validation, and microservices architecture enabling independent scaling and deployment of integration components. Common integration patterns include CRM synchronization (Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho), payment gateway connectivity (Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net), shipping carrier APIs (UPS, FedEx, USPS) with real-time rate calculation and tracking, email service provider integration (SendGrid, Mailchimp, Constant Contact), and ERP system connectivity (QuickBooks, NetSuite, SAP).

Development workflow encompasses comprehensive API documentation using Swagger/OpenAPI specifications with interactive testing interfaces, Postman collection generation for team collaboration and automated testing, versioning strategies maintaining backward compatibility through header-based or URL-based version control, and SDKs (Software Development Kits) in multiple programming languages facilitating rapid integration. Monitoring infrastructure includes API gateway implementation (Kong, AWS API Gateway, Apigee) providing centralized authentication, rate limiting, and analytics, APM (Application Performance Monitoring) with response time tracking and error logging, uptime monitoring with alerting thresholds, and comprehensive logging through ELK stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana) or cloud-native solutions.

Security hardening implements HTTPS/TLS 1.3 encryption for data in transit, input validation and sanitization preventing injection attacks, rate limiting and throttling mechanisms protecting against DDoS attacks, CORS (Cross-Origin Resource Sharing) policies restricting unauthorized domain access, and comprehensive audit logging tracking all API access and modifications. Performance optimization targets sub-200ms response times for 95th percentile requests, caching strategies using Redis or Memcached reducing database load, database query optimization with proper indexing, connection pooling minimizing overhead, and horizontal scaling through load balancing and containerization with Docker and Kubernetes orchestration.

How much does API development cost?

API development starts at $1,997 for our Launch package (single API integration). Growth tier is $4,997 (2-3 system integrations), Professional is $12,997 (5-7 complex integrations), and Enterprise is $32,997 (unlimited integrations with custom microservices architecture).

What is an API?

An API (Application Programming Interface) is software that lets two different programs talk to each other automatically. Think of it like a waiter in a restaurant - you tell the waiter your order, the waiter tells the kitchen, the kitchen makes your food, and the waiter brings it back. APIs do the same thing but between computer systems, transferring data back and forth automatically without any human intervention.

What systems can you integrate?

We can integrate almost any systems that have APIs or database access. Common integrations include Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho CRM, Stripe, PayPal, QuickBooks, NetSuite, UPS, FedEx, USPS shipping, SendGrid, Mailchimp, Shopify, WooCommerce, custom databases, legacy systems, and proprietary software. If a system has an API or database, we can connect it.

How long does API development take?

Timeline varies by complexity. Simple single-system integrations take 1-2 weeks. Multi-system integrations with data transformation take 3-4 weeks. Complex enterprise integrations with custom workflows take 6-8 weeks. We provide detailed project timeline during consultation based on your specific requirements.

Can you integrate with Salesforce/HubSpot/QuickBooks?

Yes! We specialize in CRM integrations (Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, Pipedrive), accounting software (QuickBooks, NetSuite, Xero, FreshBooks), and all major business platforms. We've built hundreds of integrations with these platforms and know their APIs inside and out. We can sync contacts, deals, invoices, payments, and any other data between systems.

What's the difference between REST and GraphQL?

REST (Representational State Transfer) is the traditional way to build APIs - you request specific data endpoints like /users or /orders. GraphQL is newer and lets you request exactly the data you need in one query, reducing unnecessary data transfer. We use REST for most integrations because it's simpler and more widely supported. We use GraphQL for complex applications with many data relationships or when mobile app performance is critical.

Are custom APIs secure?

Yes! We implement enterprise-grade security including OAuth 2.0 authentication, JWT token encryption, HTTPS/TLS 1.3 encryption for all data transfers, rate limiting to prevent abuse, IP whitelisting when needed, comprehensive input validation preventing injection attacks, and detailed audit logging tracking all API access. Your data is protected at every step.

Can you build webhooks for real-time notifications?

Absolutely! Webhooks notify your system instantly when events happen - new orders, form submissions, payment confirmations, status changes, or any trigger you specify. We build webhook systems with retry logic ensuring messages are never lost, exponential backoff handling temporary failures, and comprehensive error logging so you know if something goes wrong.

Do you provide API documentation?

Yes! Every API we build includes comprehensive documentation using industry-standard OpenAPI/Swagger specifications. Documentation includes endpoint descriptions, request/response examples, authentication instructions, error codes, rate limits, and code samples in multiple programming languages. We also provide Postman collections for easy testing and integration.

Can APIs work with legacy systems?

Yes! We specialize in connecting modern systems to legacy software. Even if your old system doesn't have a built-in API, we can connect through database access, file transfers, screen scraping, or custom adapters. We've integrated legacy AS/400, mainframe systems, ancient Access databases, and proprietary software nobody else would touch.

What if the third-party API changes?

We implement version pinning and monitoring to detect API changes before they break your integration. Most platforms announce breaking changes months in advance. We provide ongoing support packages starting at $297/month including proactive monitoring, API version updates, bug fixes, and technical support ensuring your integrations keep working.

Do you serve clients outside Michigan?

Yes! While we're based in Michigan and proudly serve Birmingham, Livonia, Northville, Detroit, Ann Arbor, and the entire state, we work with clients across the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. All API development services available remotely.