What is an API and a Payment API?
API stands for Application Programming Interface, and it’s a set of programmatic instructions that allow one program to interface with another program. In other words, an API simply authorizes and integrates two applications to communicate with one another in order to provide a seamless digital experience.
A payment API, also known as payment gateway API or payment processing API operates to integrate a payment solution with another, existing application, such as connecting a business’s checkout function to the payment system.
10 Features To Look for in a Flexible Payment Gateway API
From a developer perspective, integrating payments into your software can yield many benefits to you and the users. It can provide an enhanced customer experience, streamlined operations, improved security — the list goes on.
We’ve put together the key features that developers should look for in a flexible payment gateway API to ensure a seamless integration.
1. Clear Documentation
Starting with the basics, documentation is your main tool for implementing an API, and will therefore determine the quality of your integration experience. When evaluating payment APIs, start by taking a look at their documentation.
2. Up-to-date Design and User Experience
Another important element is the way the payment gateway is designed. A well-thought-out API interface design must cater to the professional vision of the developer and the needs of the customer at the same time.
3. Easy to Use
Linking to the previous point, it’s important to stress usability. No one wants to waste time and money on a long, complex integration process. The easiest API to use is one that is fast, simple and easy to implement.
4. Testing Environment
While building your API integration, you’ll want to test the full payment process from the customer perspective before going live. This will ensure that everything works smoothly and that the web services meet your requirements upfront.
5. Robust Security
When it comes to accepting payments, security is key. Your payment processor API of choice should go the extra mile to secure sensitive cardholder data, both when capturing and storing it, in order to protect both you and your customers from a data breach.
6. Omnichannel Capabilities
You want to give customers as many options as possible when it comes to making purchases, and integrating with a processor that offers an omnichannel solution will allow you to do so.
7. Broad Functionalities
Certain features must be included in any API, such as error handling, data validation or different authentication processes.
8. Integration with Multiple Gateways
There are several scenarios when you may need a payment gateway API that is able to connect to more than one gateway, in fact, it happens more and more often nowadays so as a developer, you may want to keep this option in mind.
9. Third-party API Partners
In many industries, businesses have to use third-party partner APIs — if you can serve their needs as well, you’re instantly growing your customer base. A common example of this is if the given business has a site where different services are offered which can all be purchased from different providers. This means, the payment gateway API should carry the capability to process each transaction separately and directly with the specific provider.
10. Customer Support
On a final note, it’s crucial for the payment API source to have adequate support in place. Knowing there is help available for how to successfully integrate a solution using a provider’s APIs, will give you peace of mind throughout the entire development process and improve the whole integration experience.
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