How does an API work?
An API works through requests and responses. One app sends a request to a specific address, with a key that proves it's allowed in and the details of what it wants, such as one customer's order. The other app checks the key, does the work and sends back a structured response the first app can use.
An API's documentation lists what can be asked for, which is how we check whether two tools can be connected. API keys work like passwords, so they're stored securely and never shared in plain text.
Why do APIs matter for a small business?
APIs matter for a small business because they decide what can be automated. If your CRM, booking tool or online store has an API, an AI agent or automation can read from it and write to it, so data moves between tools without anyone copying and pasting. If a tool has no API, we suggest a workaround.
What does an API look like in practice?
Our AI chat agents use APIs during the conversation. A shopper gives an order number, and the agent looks the order up in the store through its API, then explains where it is. The same approach checks live stock, finds free calendar slots and pulls up a returning customer's history from the CRM.