What is an API connection and what do I use it for?

API is an abbreviation for 'Application programming interface', which basically means that the software that you're using has a certain technical interface that a developer can use to connect with. 

For those unfamiliar with APIs, the best way to describe an API is as "open doors" to software. You have the ability to send data through the right door, and retrieve data if you wish.

In the case of EffectConnect, you can choose to send certain product information from your own system to EffectConnect, without the use of a plugin or ready-made installation. You can also retrieve data from EffectConnect via the API, and use it back in your own system. 

To use our API you need real technical knowledge. If you don't you have this knowledge, then we advise you to hire a programmer to help you with the integration.

Note: the term API is often used in the e-commerce world. You can use the API of EffectConnect to connect your system to EffectConnect. But Amazon also has an API, which EffectConnect uses to connect EffectConnect to Amazon. So don't be fooled, API is not a product, but a possibility to make a connection between different systems.

Would you like to know more about our custom API? Then read this article.