Third-Party Integration In Mobile App Development

Assume you recently released your MVP app and now want to enhance it with features such as geolocation, social media log-in, and a recipe list. Should your app developer create all of those features from the ground up? No, because you can enhance your app's functionality by utilizing a plethora of ready-made APIs (application programming interfaces) provided by various services.

 

Continue reading to learn more about API for third-party integration and the benefits it can bring to your business. In addition, we highlight the most popular APIs for mobile apps and provide a handy guide with API integration steps in this article.

 

What is Mobile App Development?

 

The process of creating software for smartphones, tablets, and digital assistants, most commonly for the Android and iOS operating systems, is known as mobile application development. The software can be preinstalled, downloaded from a mobile app store, or accessed via a mobile web browser. Java, Swift, C# and HTML5 are some of the programming and markup languages used in this type of software development.

 

The development of mobile apps is rapidly expanding. Organizations across industries, from retail, telecommunications, and e-commerce to insurance, healthcare, and government, must meet user expectations for real-time, convenient ways to conduct transactions and access information. Mobile devices, and the mobile applications that unlock their value, are now the most popular way for individuals and businesses to connect to the internet.

 

The processes and procedures involved in writing software for small, wireless computing devices such as smartphones and other hand-held devices are referred to as mobile application development.

 

Mobile application development, like web application development, stems from more traditional software development. One significant difference is that mobile apps are frequently written specifically to take advantage of the unique features of a specific mobile device. For example, a gaming app could be written to take advantage of the iPhone's accelerometer, or a mobile health app could be written to take advantage of the temperature sensor on a smartwatch.

 

Today, the two most prominent mobile platforms are Apple's iOS and Google's Android. Apple phones and tablets come preloaded with essential applications such as a full web browser and the Apple App Store. Similar apps come preloaded on Android devices, and you can install more through the Google Play Store.

 

What is 3rd Party Integration? 

 

Third-party integration, in general, refers to the addition of necessary external data to an existing project via various APIs (Application Program Interfaces). Because of third-party APIs, developers can create a new solution in less time by reusing existing components rather than writing code from scratch for new ones. For example, if you want to make an app for ordering goods online, you may require a chat feature. Instead of creating a new chat interface, developers can simply integrate an existing API into your solution. That's all there is to it!

 

Uber is most likely the most well-known app that makes use of numerous API integrations. It makes use of Google Maps for navigation, Braintree for payment processing, and Twilio for a chat. It works flawlessly and is the best solution in the passenger transportation niche. 

 

It's no surprise that third-party integrations are appealing. However, while they can significantly increase output, they have a disadvantage that should not be overlooked. If an app is built with far too many third-party integrations, it may suffer from significant performance issues in the future. The project's quality is what defines its success and relevance, so it should not be compromised.

 

An application programming interface (API) is a collection of tools, protocols, and definitions that enable your app to interact with other apps and connect to external services. Every app is built on a backend panel or necessitates access to a third-party API or web service. API, which stands for Application Programming Interface, is essential in every software project. Have you ever wondered what exactly connects us with those applications in our daily lives? It's the API.

 

The Application Programming Interface (API) is a software intercessor that connects two applications and allows them to communicate with one another. In a nutshell, it allows product A to communicate with product B. We use an API every time we use an app to check messages, weather, video, and so on.

 

Third-Party API Pros

 

Third-party APIs include additional features and functionality that you can incorporate into your application to improve the user experience. However, Mobile App Development Companies can introduce only necessary features to their app and exclude those that are unnecessary for their developed app. Some of the pros of the third party are discussed below:

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Pros of Third-Party Integration

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1. Personalization and adaptability:

 

It is not necessary to include all of the API's features in your system because you have the option to include or exclude them. In short, you can easily customize or configure the required features following the objective of the app.

 

2. Cost and effort savings:

 

Using third-party APIs will undoubtedly save you time and money. You don't need to spend a lot of money to create a specific feature when you can get the same feature for free or for a few dollars. In other words, it can reduce and balance project costs that can be used for app marketing to attract more users.

 

3. Rapid Integration:

 

If you want to create your dream app but don't know how to code, you can hire an Android App Developer to create it for you. Third-party APIs are preferred by developers worldwide, particularly for low-budget apps. 

 

So, when hiring dedicated developers to create an app, keep payment gateways, travel and booking, social media authentication, Google Maps, image processing features, and other APIs in mind. The said services can be added to your app in a matter of seconds. As a result, using APIs may allow you to concentrate solely on business domains rather than the development of a specific feature for your app.

 

4. Attaches familiar applications:

 

Third-party integrations can help consumers become more familiar with the system. They may already know how to use external applications, making it easier for them to use the new application's features. Prioritizing user convenience can leave a good impression on them, allowing you to keep their interest and attract new customers who can benefit from the product.

 

Instead of requiring users to create a separate personal account, you could give them the option to sign in via popular social media or email platforms. Consider third-party systems with straightforward functions that users will recognize.

 

5. Enhances product functionality:

 

Another advantage of third-party integration is that it improves the product's performance. External systems can be integrated to provide features that the original application lacked, making the application more versatile.

 

For example, if the initial layout of a music streaming application doesn't have a function to share playlists to social media profiles, you can use an API integration to attach the new feature, enabling users to share their creations and attract new subscribers to the music service. Existing systems can be used to make the product more memorable and profitable in the market.

 

6. Increases customer retention:

 

Outperforming competitors and providing engaging user experiences can increase customer retention and keep them subscribed to and engaged with the product and service. Third-party integration can demonstrate that the brand values its users and their interests, and it can capitalize on industry trends.

 

For example, if a chat application becomes popular among consumers, pursuing third-party integration can link the product to the success of the external program. This enables the company to retain its current customers by working to meet their needs as the industry and trends change.

 

Conclusion:

 

When you go to a restaurant to order, you will need a waiter to take your order to the kitchen and bring it to your table. API serves as a waiter in this case. It routes your mobile app's request to a third-party API system and returns the result to your app. API is a defined method of communication between various software components that includes a set of subroutine definitions, tools, and protocols that allow your mobile app to borrow functionality and data from other apps or services.

 

An API integration is one of the best things an app developer can implement, especially if it comes from a third party. This is a very efficient way to extend the app's functionality by utilizing another company's resources and infrastructure.

 

So, keep in mind that each application is linked to a "Back-end Panel" or relies on third-party API to meet the needs of their customers. Furthermore, the applications installed on your device may use your internet connection to send and receive data to and from a remote server. Similarly, at the server end, the application is in charge of retrieving, interpreting, and processing the required actions before sending them back to your device.

 

Following that, the application on the user's end interprets the incoming signals to display the data in your language. The entire procedure is known as API (Application Programming Integration).

 

However, it is by no means an easy process. Instead, it necessitates the expertise of talented developers, particularly in relation to the rest of your IT team. In this regard, one of the best ways to build teams for such a project or scale up an existing team is to use IT staff augmentation services. ProCoders have extensive experience in this field. It will be a wise decision to contact ProCoders right away for your third-party API integration requirements.

 

You can enhance the functionality of your mobile app without reinventing the wheel by integrating third-party APIs (Facebook, Google Maps, Paypal, online games, etc.). This type of integration significantly reduces the cost and time required for app development, while also making your app stand out from the crowd and increasing user engagement.