What is an API integration?
A plain-English definition, with a real example from a small business.
Geoff BromilowAI systems developerUpdated 1 min readDefinition
An API integration is a connection that lets two pieces of software share information automatically, using each system’s API (application programming interface).
At a glance
- Also called
- API connection, system integration
- Good for
- Connecting your tools
In plain English
Think of an API as a waiter: your software asks for something, the waiter takes the request to the other system and brings back the answer.
An example
When a booking is made on your website, an API integration can add it to your calendar, create the customer in your CRM and send an invoice from Xero — without anyone typing it in.
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Questions people ask
Most modern business software does. If one doesn’t, there are often workarounds, like webhooks or reading data from emails.
Related terms
Geoff builds the AI systems, automations and integrations behind our projects — and explains them without the jargon.
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