If there’s a secret sauce in software development today, it just might be the application programming interface (API). APIs for payments are the unsung heroes for many developers who rely on these bits of code to unlock whole new worlds of possibility and functionality. In the simplest terms, payment APIs allow two different applications to communicate with each other, freeing you from the burden of having to “reinvent the wheel” and build out software that someone else already did the hard work of creating. When you lean on APIs for payments, you can create richer software experiences more quickly and without the hassle of worrying about every little functional detail yourself.
Overcoming the Fear of Payments Integration
Some developers might be hesitant to jump into the payments world, and for good reason. Creating software that can effectively manage an in- and outflow of funds can be a complicated headache that looks like a whole lot of time spent toiling for what seems like little reward. Then you might be worried, too, that you’re walking into a mess of legacy integrations that you can’t make heads or tails of. No one could blame you for questioning whether the payments company you’re interested in working with actually has the bandwidth to support your development vision. They’re focused on their own bottom lines and making big money with software that supports large and lucrative sectors. Payments players might not grasp the value in your more targeted idea that may not generate the massive returns they’re looking for.
This is why payments APIs are so crucial for savvy software developers. APIs for payments help turn the tides, arming developers with a quick and easy way to build value-added functionality into their projects. The payments provider has already done the lion’s share of the API buildout—now it’s up to you as the developer to plug their payments API into your software. It’s really like a shortcut that pushes your project to the functionality finish line.
The Diverse Value of Payments APIs
Though traditional POS terminals might be the first use case that springs to mind, this is where you can get creative in making payments possible. Payments APIs can help you bring card-acceptance features to POS systems in tablet format, add an all-important “buy” button to an e-commerce checkout page or mobile app, and build debit and credit card options into tableside billing interfaces. Going with an omnichannel payments API means you can offer your merchant client the added benefit of managing an array of payment scenarios through a single, standardized platform, whether the card is present or not and the device is mobile or desktop.
If it’s not enough that payments APIs help you wisely spend your time concentrating on software features that differentiate your product. You might appreciate that this staple of the development world can bring you a steady source of revenue, too. Plus, payments APIs take on the responsibility of securing access to sensitive card details, controlling who can view and interact with this consumer data and protecting you in the process. This means your clients have fewer PCI compliance headaches to worry about while keeping fraud risk at a minimum.
APIs offer developers much of the same agility as your larger rivals, keeping your focus on making payments work without getting “in the weeds” with all the nitty-gritty development details. When you choose to work with APIs for payments, you’re making a smart investment to deliver the commerce capabilities clients demand without sacrificing your valuable time.
