You will hear developers say API often. It simply means a defined way for one program to talk to another, and it is how your tools can share information.

A simple picture

Think of a waiter. You do not walk into the kitchen. You give the waiter an order in a set format, and the kitchen replies with food. An API is the waiter between two systems.

What it makes possible

Connected systems save retyping.

  • A web order creates an invoice automatically
  • A new lead appears in your CRM
  • Stock levels match between shop and warehouse
  • A payment confirms an order without a person

What to check first

Not every product offers an API, and some charge for it. Check what your tools support before you promise a connection to anyone.