API integrations connect modern business systems, enabling data flow and process automation. Successful integrations require careful planning, robust error handling, and continuous monitoring.

Authentication and Security

API Key Management

Store keys securely in environment variables, rotate keys regularly, implement rate limiting, and use separate keys for different environments (dev/staging/production).

OAuth 2.0 Implementation

OAuth provides secure delegated access, supports token refresh for long-running integrations, and implements proper scope management.

Error Handling Strategy

Retry Logic

Implement exponential backoff for transient failures, set maximum retry attempts, log all retry attempts for debugging, and distinguish between retryable and non-retryable errors.

Circuit Breaker Pattern

Prevent cascade failures by temporarily blocking requests to failing services, allow system recovery time, and implement health checks before reopening.

Performance Optimization

Caching Strategies

Cache responses when appropriate, implement cache invalidation, use ETags for conditional requests, and consider Redis for distributed caching.

Rate Limiting

Respect API provider rate limits, implement client-side throttling, queue requests during high load, and monitor usage against quotas.

Data Synchronization

Webhook Implementation

Use webhooks for real-time updates instead of polling, implement webhook signature verification, handle duplicate events, and ensure idempotent processing.

Batch Processing

For high-volume data sync, use batch endpoints when available, implement pagination, schedule during off-peak hours, and monitor sync status.

Testing and Monitoring

Integration Testing

Test with sandbox environments, validate error scenarios, check rate limit handling, and verify data transformation.

Production Monitoring

Track API response times, monitor error rates, set up alerting for failures, and log request/response for debugging.

Common Integration Patterns

Payment Gateways

At SELKANO, we integrate Stripe, PayPal, and Nordic payment methods like Swish and MobilePay with proper webhook handling and transaction reconciliation.

Booking Platforms

Camp2Find connects with Booking.com, Airbnb using channel manager patterns with real-time availability sync and centralized inventory management.

The best integrations are invisible to users but robust enough to handle edge cases gracefully.

Documentation and Maintenance

Maintain comprehensive integration documentation, version your integration code, plan for API version updates, and keep dependencies current.

Successful API integrations balance reliability, performance, and maintainability while providing seamless user experience.

API Integration Best Practices for Seamless System Communication