Hire the Best Backend Rest API Professionals

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Kunal B.

Ahmedabad, India

$20/hr
4.9
12 jobs

With 6+ years as a Full Stack Developer specializing in AI-accelerated development, I build high-quality, scalable web applications and MVPs lightning-fast using cutting-edge AI tools like Cursor, Claude Code, and Lovable.dev for rapid prototyping, then deliver polished production systems with modern stacks. Clients hire me to turn ideas into working products in days (not months): AI-assisted coding for clean, efficient frontends/backends, seamless Supabase + Vercel integrations for real-time, serverless apps, and full end-to-end delivery with performance and scalability in mind. 🔹 Core Expertise - AI-Powered Full Stack 🌐 Frontend: React Developer, Next.js Developer, Angular Developer 💻 Backend: Python Full Stack, Django Developer, Flask Developer, FastAPI Developer, Node.js, Nest.js, Express.js 🛠️ APIs & Modern Tools: GraphQL API, RESTful APIs, API Integration, Stripe/PayPal/Twilio, AI tool orchestration (Cursor, Claude, Lovable) 🗂️ Databases & Backend-as-a-Service: PostgreSQL Database, MySQL Database, MongoDB NoSQL, Supabase Integration (auth, realtime, storage), Redis ☁️ Deployment & Hosting: Vercel Deployment, Serverless Architecture, CI/CD Pipelines, Docker for rapid deploys 🤖 AI Acceleration: Generative AI integration, AI-assisted development, Prompt Engineering for code gen, LLM workflows in apps, rapid POC building 🏗️ Advanced: Microservices for AI, Serverless AI (Lambda + SageMaker), Event-Driven Architecture (Kafka for data streams), High-Availability & Fault-Tolerant Design 🔹 What Sets Me Apart in 2026 - 5-10x faster delivery via AI tools (Cursor/Claude for code, Lovable for instant prototypes) - Production-ready MVPs → scalable SaaS apps with Supabase + Vercel stack - Clean, maintainable code + performance optimization (load times, cost efficiency) - End-to-end: ideation → AI prototyping → full development → deployment & iteration - Proven with 20+ projects: startups love the speed-to-market and ROI 🔹 Ideal Projects - Build AI-enhanced web apps or SaaS MVPs quickly - Modern full-stack development with Supabase/Vercel + React/Next + FastAPI/Django - Feature additions, performance upgrades, or AI integrations into existing apps - Ongoing support for fast-moving products Clients return for my proactive communication, business-aligned solutions, and ability to ship reliable, intelligent applications fast. Let's turn your vision into a live product, message me to discuss your MVP or next feature!

  • REST API
  • Python
  • Django
  • FastAPI
  • Machine Learning
  • Data Science
  • pandas
  • NumPy
  • PostgreSQL
  • Amazon Web Services
  • Docker
  • LangChain
  • OpenAPI
  • ChatGPT
Nabeel I.

Rawalpindi, Pakistan

$18/hr
5.0
39 jobs

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝗮𝗦 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗔𝗜-𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁? I help startups and founders build high-performance SaaS platforms using Laravel, React.js, Vue.js, and AI integrations. With 6+ years of experience as a Full Stack Laravel Developer, I build secure, scalable, and production-ready applications, not just MVPs, but systems designed to grow from 100 to 100,000+ users. In 2026, development is not just about writing code. You need a SaaS Architect who understands automation, scalability, and business logic. That’s where I come in. ________________________________________ 💡 What I Specialize In 🔹 Laravel SaaS Development • Laravel + Inertia.js (React or Vue) • Multi-tenant SaaS architecture • Subscription systems (Stripe & PayPal) • Role & permission systems • Scalable RESTful API development 🔹 AI Integration & Automation • OpenAI / GPT-4o integration • AI chat systems • Workflow automation • AI-powered dashboards • Custom business process automation 🔹 Full Stack Frontend Expertise • React.js & Vue.js 3 • Tailwind CSS • Vite • Modern responsive UI/UX • Admin dashboards (Filament v3, Laravel Nova) 🔹 Backend & DevOps • MySQL & PostgreSQL optimization • Dockerized environments • AWS deployment • CI/CD pipelines • Performance tuning & caching ________________________________________ 🏆 Why Clients Choose Me ✅ Senior Laravel Specialist (Not a general coder) ✅ SaaS-Focused Development Approach ✅ Clean Architecture (SOLID principles) ✅ Scalable Systems Design ✅ AI-Driven Business Optimization ✅ Clear Communication & On-Time Delivery ________________________________________ 📈 Recent Project Highlights • Built a custom AI-powered Laravel + React dashboard for 500+ active users • Developed a multi-vendor Vue.js eCommerce SaaS platform with Stripe subscriptions • Integrated GPT-4o into Laravel backend for real-time automated support • Architected multi-tenant SaaS billing systems ________________________________________ 🎯 If You Need: ✔ A Laravel SaaS Developer ✔ A Full Stack React/Vue Expert ✔ AI Integration into your Web App ✔ A Scalable Startup Architecture ✔ A Long-term Technical Partner ✔ Laravel Vue.js Full Stack Developer ✔ PHP Laravel Vue.js Developer ✔ Full Stack Laravel React Developer ✔ Full Stack Laravel Vue Developer ✔ Laravel API & Vue.js Developer ✔ Laravel SaaS Application Developer ✔ Senior Full Stack Laravel Developer ✔ Laravel AWS Cloud Developer Click “Invite” or “Hire” — and let’s build something powerful. 🔎 Core Expertise Laravel Developer • Senior Laravel Developer • Full Stack Developer • Full Stack Laravel Developer • PHP Laravel Developer • Laravel SaaS Development • Laravel Vue.js Developer • Laravel React Developer • Vue.js Developer • React.js Developer SaaS Application Development • Multi-Tenant SaaS Architecture • REST API Development • API Integration • Payment Gateway Integration • Stripe API • PayPal Integration • AWS Deployment • AWS S3 • AWS SES • Docker • MySQL • PostgreSQL • Tailwind CSS • Vite • AI Integration • OpenAI API • ChatGPT Integration • Web Application Development

  • REST API
  • Full-Stack Development
  • Laravel
  • SaaS Development
  • Vue.js
  • React
  • Tailwind CSS
  • Stripe
  • Docker
  • AWS Application
  • MySQL
  • OpenAI API
  • Server Administration
  • Payment Gateway Integration
  • CodeIgniter
Michael J.

West Bloomfield Township, Michigan

$100/hr
5.0
98 jobs

🫡 Extremely Reliable, Communicative and Fast 🥇 The Top 1% of Talent (Expert Vetted) 💰 60+ apps shipped, generating over 8 figures in revenue. ⚡ AI speed combined with 8 years of production experience to deliver code that ships fast, feels premium, and scales without cracking. (Available for 2 projects in April 2026) 🛠️ Specializing in Mobile App Development | Flutter, Swift, or React | iOS and Android 🇺🇸 Honored as a Top Mobile App Developer for hire in the United States from 2020-2025. 🏆 Award Winning Mobile App Developer: previous app featured on Apple's List of Best Language Learning Apps. 📰 Featured on Business Insider for my innovative contributions to mobile app development on Upwork. I've had the privilege of propelling clients to significant milestones, including achieving $2M in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). Some notable successes include: - A restaurant subscription app reaching $100K+ Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) - A fitness community app achieving $1.5M+ ARR. ⭐️ Client Testimonials: "Michael is a gem in the world of mobile app development..." "Among the top 3 developers I've worked with over the past three years..." "A quality developer and a quality human being..." Upwork Stats: 🏅 Top 1% of Mobile Developers 🏅 Top 1% of iOS Developers 🏅 Top 5% of Firebase Developers 🏅 Top 5% of Swift Developers 🎓 Proud Michigan State University Graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science. With a solid eight-year trajectory as a Mobile App Developer, I've honed my skills across a plethora of projects that span iOS and Android platforms, utilizing Flutter and Swift to create high-impact applications. My forte lies in converting ideas into digital realities that propel businesses forward. From crafting engaging user interfaces to optimizing backend processes, my holistic approach ensures a robust and scalable app solution. I thrive in various development scenarios, whether its working with a team to deliver a project on a tight deadline or building an application from scratch all on my own. My experience extends to working with startups that have secured significant venture capital funding, as well as established enterprises aiming to expand their digital footprint. 🌟 Why Choose Me: Client Satisfaction: My reviews reflect the genuine value I provide. Effective Communication: I prioritize prompt and sincere interactions to ensure project fluidity. Mastery: I strive for flawless, visually appealing apps worthy of portfolio inclusion. 😁 Excited to collaborate! Whether you're a startup aiming to elevate your product or an established enterprise looking to scale, I'm here to help. Let’s kickstart our partnership with a complimentary 30 minute discussion to blueprint your pathway to success. Specialities: Full Stack Development, AI Systems Architect, AI SaaS Developer, SaaS MVP Development, Mobile MVP Development, Cross-Platform Mobile Apps, Mobile App Development, iOS Development, Scalable SaaS Architecture, AI-Powered SaaS, Flutter App Development, React Native App Development, Backend Development, Frontend Development, Mobile App Architecture, Cross Platform App Development, AI Powered Applications, API Integration, API-Driven Mobile Apps, Cloud Architecture, Production-Ready MVP, Secure APIs, OpenAI Integration, AI Workflow Automation, LLM Integration

  • Mobile App Development
  • iOS Development
  • Flutter
  • Swift
  • Android App Development
  • AI Mobile App Development
  • Full-Stack Development
  • AI Development
  • App Development
  • Mobile App Design
  • Dart
  • iOS
  • API Integration
  • Mobile App
  • Hybrid App Development
  • Android
  • Native App Development
  • Amazon Web Services
  • Smartphone
  • User Authentication
Abhiram K.

Kakinada, India

$20/hr
4.7
214 jobs

I build Python automation systems, AI integrations, and web scraping pipelines that make businesses run faster with less manual work, fewer errors, and zero constant babysitting. 10+ years building production-ready solutions for startups and businesses. If it can be automated, I'll automate it. 🤖 AI integration & LLM development: I build AI-powered apps and workflows using OpenAI GPT-4, Anthropic Claude, and Gemini APIs. My work covers RAG pipelines, vector databases, LangChain, LlamaIndex, AI agents, custom GPTs, and AI chatbots for customer service, lead generation, and internal operations. ⚙️ Python automation & API integrations: I design and build Python workflow automation, business process automation, ETL pipelines, and REST API integrations that run on autopilot. From CRM automation (HubSpot, Salesforce) to Google Sheets syncing, Slack bots, email automation, and n8n / Make / Zapier flows — I connect your tools and eliminate manual work entirely. I focus heavily on automation and data extraction systems that remove repetitive manual work and turn complex business processes into reliable, scalable pipelines. Whether it's automation across APIs or large-scale data extraction from web platforms, I build systems that run continuously with minimal oversight. 🕷️ Web scraping & large-scale data extraction: Proven track record in high-frequency, large-scale web scraping using Playwright, Selenium, Scrapy, Requests, and BeautifulSoup. I handle JavaScript-rendered pages, pagination, login-protected sites, anti-bot bypass, and proxy rotation. Data delivered clean in CSV, JSON, Excel, MongoDB, MySQL, or SQLite. 🗄️ Data engineering & ETL pipelines: I build data pipelines that move, clean, and transform large datasets for reporting and analytics. Experience with AWS Lambda, EC2, MongoDB, MySQL, and SQLite for scalable data engineering solutions. 🛠️ Tech stack AI / LLM - OpenAI · Claude · Gemini · LangChain · LlamaIndex · RAG · Vector DBs · AI Agents Automation - Python · n8n · Make · Zapier · REST APIs · Webhooks · ETL Pipelines - Bots - Trading Bots Scraping - Playwright · Selenium · Scrapy · BeautifulSoup · Requests · Proxy · Anti-bot Databases - MongoDB · MySQL · SQLite · CSV · JSON · Excel Cloud - AWS · Lambda · EC2 Message me with your problem - I'll reply fast with an honest plan, clear timeline, and no fluff. Let's build something that actually works.

  • Automation
  • Web Scraping
  • Data Extraction
  • Scrapy
  • Selenium
  • API Integration
  • Data Mining
  • Data Analysis
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Google Sheets
  • Web Crawling
  • Scripting
  • Data Scraping
  • AI Model Integration
  • Bot Development
  • ETL
  • Business Process Automation
  • Machine Learning
  • Data Engineering
  • Data Science
Nehuen V.

Lomas de Zamora, Argentina

$40/hr
5.0
41 jobs

I build AI-powered automation systems that quietly eliminate manual work so your team focuses on what actually needs a human. No fragile Zapier demos. No bolted-together MVPs. Production ready infrastructure that compounds: AI agents, Python back‑ends, and n8n workflows that handle the ugly edge cases. What I do AI Agent Development & LLM Orchestration: Multi‑step autonomous agents that handle client communications, document processing, approvals, and reporting. Deep prompt engineering so agents actually understand your business. Back‑End Automation & Python Systems: FastAPI, PostgreSQL, and custom Python scripting for when no‑code hits its ceiling. Clean, documented, maintainable code built for production. Workflow & CRM Automation: End‑to‑end n8n / Make pipelines, Google Workspace & API integrations, marketing automation, and task automation that keep your CRM and operations flowing silently. Who I work with Founders and ops leaders scaling teams where spreadsheets and manual handoffs are now a bottleneck. You need systems that survive week two and keep getting smarter. How I work When you reach out, I don’t send a template. I’ll reply with a personalised Loom video, walking through exactly how I’d tackle your bottleneck. Once we kick off, I’m incredibly communicative; You’ll get daily updates, so you always know what’s happening and what’s next. At handover, you won’t be left guessing: I deliver full documentation PDFs and walkthrough Loom videos explaining how every system works. That’s non‑negotiable for me; I make sure your team can own and operate everything confidently, long after I’m done. Send me a message, and I’ll prove it in the first reply. My Expertise Python · FastAPI · PostgreSQL · n8n · Make · API Integration · Google APIs · Google Workspace · AI Agent Development · Prompt Engineering · LLM Prompt Engineering · Back‑End Development · CRM Automation · Marketing Automation · Task Automation · Business Process Automation If your business depends on someone doing the same manual task every day, that’s a system waiting to be built. Let’s talk.

  • API
  • Python
  • Back-End Development
  • Automation
  • Python Script
  • Scripting
  • n8n
  • Make.com
  • Google APIs
  • Google Workspace
  • AI Bot
  • AI Agent Development
  • Prompt Engineering
  • LLM Prompt Engineering
  • FastAPI
  • PostgreSQL
  • CRM Automation
  • Marketing Automation
  • Task Automation
  • Software Development
Mujtaba S.

Lahore, Pakistan

$40/hr
4.9
78 jobs

Need AI added to your app, a workflow automated, or an MVP finished? I can help you scope it, build it, and ship it without overcomplicating the first milestone. I build AI products that survive real users, real data, and real business workflows: SaaS MVPs, AI agents, RAG systems, voice AI, and automation inside existing products. ⭐ Top Rated Plus | Top 3% of performers on Upwork ✅ 10+ years building SaaS and AI products | 100+ projects delivered ✅ AI that ships: RAG, AI agents, MCP, Voice AI, LLM integration ✅ Full stack: Next.js, React, TypeScript, Python, Node.js, PostgreSQL, AWS ✅ SaaS, MVPs, automation, fintech, healthcare, construction, legal tech, and sales products You can hire me when: - You need one AI feature added to an existing app - You want OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, or MCP integrated into your product - You need a RAG system over PDFs, documents, knowledge bases, or internal data - You want a voice AI agent for calls, bookings, lead qualification, or CRM updates - You have a workflow involving documents, calls, follow-ups, data entry, or reporting that should be automated - Your MVP is half-built, buggy, slow, or stuck before launch - You need someone to build a full SaaS product from idea to deployment I work well on both small and large projects. If the right first step is a quick audit, prototype, bug fix, integration, or one-week milestone, I will tell you that. If the project needs a full build, I can own the architecture, frontend, backend, AI layer, deployment, and documentation. The part most AI freelancers skip: AI is rarely the whole product. It usually needs a backend, dashboard, auth, billing, permissions, logs, human review, and deployment around it. I build both the AI layer and the product around it. WHAT I DO: - AI SaaS & MVP builds: idea to deployed product with auth, billing, dashboards, and AI layer - AI inside existing products: RAG, agents, MCP, LLM features, document AI, and automation - Voice AI: agents that answer calls, book appointments, qualify leads, and log to your CRM - RAG and document AI: source-grounded answers, OCR, extraction, citations, and review queues - Workflow automation: documents, follow-ups, data entry, reporting, and API integrations - Rescue & ship: half-built MVPs refactored, hardened, and launched RECENT DELIVERIES: - AI sales CRM: call transcription, follow-up automation, multi-tenant pipelines - RAG document platform with every answer cited to source - AI financial intelligence platform: open banking + accounting sync into one ledger - AI voice agents for healthcare and sales, answering real calls daily - Turnkey B2B SaaS platform for the construction industry, end to end HOW I WORK: - I start by understanding the workflow, users, data, and business goal - I suggest the smallest useful first milestone when possible - I scope clearly before code is written, so you know cost and timeline up front - I can work on focused tasks, short prototypes, rescue work, or full product builds - I work full time on Upwork with overlap for US and European business hours If you need one AI feature, a quick prototype, a stuck MVP fixed, or a full SaaS product built, send me a short description of what you have and what you want it to do. I will reply with the clearest next step, the likely scope, and the first milestone I would recommend. Tech Stack: AI and LLM: OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, LangChain, LangGraph, CrewAI, MCP, function calling, model routing RAG and vector search: RAG pipelines, embeddings, semantic search, pgvector, Pinecone, document AI, OCR AI agents and automation: multi-agent systems, AI copilots, workflow automation, document extraction with review queues AI reliability: evaluation sets, hallucination reduction, human-in-the-loop workflows Voice AI: Vapi, Retell, ElevenLabs, Deepgram, OpenAI Realtime, Twilio Frontend: Next.js, React, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, React Native Backend: Node.js, Python, FastAPI, REST and GraphQL APIs, WebSockets Databases: PostgreSQL, Supabase, Redis, MongoDB SaaS architecture: multi-tenant, tenant isolation, RBAC, Stripe billing, admin dashboards Cloud and DevOps: AWS, Docker, Vercel, CI/CD, monitoring Security and compliance: OAuth2, JWT, encryption, audit logs, HIPAA-aware builds, KYC/AML flows Integrations: Stripe, Plaid, open banking APIs, QuickBooks, Xero, Twilio, CRMs, ERPs Industries: AI SaaS, AI agents, document AI, RAG, FinTech, open banking, healthcare, B2B SaaS, startup MVPs, construction tech, legal tech, sales and CRM automation, voice AI, recruiting

  • Full-Stack Development
  • AI App Development
  • SaaS Development
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • AI Agent Development
  • Next.js
  • Python
  • React
  • Node.js
  • TypeScript
  • OpenAI API
  • Large Language Model
  • Retrieval Augmented Generation
  • LangChain
  • AI Model Integration
  • API Integration
  • Stripe
  • PostgreSQL
  • Minimum Viable Product
  • AWS Development

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How to Hire Top Back-End REST API Developers

How to hire top back-end REST API developers

Whether your goal is to set up the basic back-end APIs needed for any app to function or to build the public APIs that will let you plug into the lucrative API economy, back-end REST API developers are here to help. 

So how do you hire back-end REST API developers? What follows are some tips for finding top back-end REST API developers on Upwork.

How to shortlist back-end REST API professionals

As you’re browsing available back-end REST API consultants, it can be helpful to develop a shortlist of the professionals you may want to interview. You can screen profiles on criteria such as:

  • Technology fit. You want a back-end REST API developer who understands the back-end technologies behind your API project. 
  • Project experience. Screen candidate profiles for specific skills and experience (e.g., writing APIs for an ASP.NET back end).
  • Feedback. Check reviews from past clients for glowing testimonials or red flags that can tell you what it’s like to work with a particular back-end REST API developer.

How to write an effective back-end REST API job post

With a clear picture of your ideal back-end REST API developer in mind, it’s time to write that job post. Although you don’t need a full job description as you would when hiring an employee, aim to provide enough detail for a contractor to know if they’re the right fit for the project.

Job post title

Create a simple title that describes exactly what you’re looking for. The idea is to target the keywords that your ideal candidate is likely to type into a job search bar to find your project. Here are some sample back-end REST API job post titles:

  • Back-end REST API developer needed with Node.js expertise
  • API integration for an ecommerce website
  • Back-end REST API development help with a fintech app

Back-end REST API project description

An effective back-end REST API job post should include: 

  • Scope of work: From third-party integrations to public APIs, list all the deliverables you’ll need. 
  • Project length: Your job post should indicate whether this is a smaller or larger project. 
  • Background: If you prefer experience with certain technologies or developer tools, mention this here. 
  • Budget: Set a budget and note your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts.

Back-end REST API developer job responsibilities

Here are some examples of back-end REST API developer job responsibilities:

  • Write APIs that integrate front-end features with back-end resources and business logic
  • Implement integrations with third-party APIs
  • Design, implement, and maintain data storage solutions
  • Test and validate API implementations

Back-end REST API developer requirements and qualifications

Be sure to include any requirements and qualifications you’re looking for in back-end REST API developers, such as:

  • Back-end REST API
  • Web development
  • Back-end development
  • Desired technology stack
>

Back-End REST API Developers FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is back-end REST API development?

Every app has a front end and a back end. In order for these two halves to communicate with one another, there needs to be a standardized API (application programming interface) for sending and receiving data. REST (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style for creating these standardized APIs. APIs can be used to link a client to its back end or the server side of a third-party app. 

How much does it cost to hire a back-end REST API developer?

The first step to determining the cost to hire a back-end REST API developer will be to define your needs. Rates can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, location, and market conditions.

Cost factor #1: project scope

The first variable to consider when determining scope is the nature of the work that needs to be completed. Not all back-end REST API projects are created equally. Pulling data from your social media accounts through a publicly available API will take less time than building your own custom analytics API. 

Tip: The more accurately your job description describes the scope of your project, the easier it will be for talent to give you accurate cost estimates and proposals.

Cost factor #2: back-end REST API developer experience

Choosing the right level of expertise for the job is closely tied to how well you determined the scope of your project. You wouldn’t need an advanced developer to write basic APIs to link your single-page app (SPA) with its back end. On the other hand, creating a public API for your SaaS (software as a service) app from which your customers will be able to programmatically extract data for their own services will require a seasoned developer who can ensure the security of your application.

Beyond experience level, you need to consider the type of experience the talent possesses. The following table breaks down the rates of the typical types of back-end API developers you can find on Upwork.

Rates charged by back-end REST API developers on Upwork

Level of Experience Description Hourly Rate
Beginner Entry-level expertise in back-end fundamentals: database solutions (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB), web servers (e.g., nginx, J2EE, Node.js), cloud solutions (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), server-side languages (e.g., Java, Python, PHP), and RESTful API development.  $30-50+
Intermediate Beyond fundamentals, specialization in industry-specific API use cases (e.g., Shopify API for ecommerce).  $60-90+
Expert Full-stack development expertise (front end and back end). Experience leading teams of developers to carry a product through the SDLC (software development lifecycle). Capable of writing secure, enterprise-level public APIs for commercial products.  $100-120+

Cost factor #3: location

Location is another variable that can impact a back-end REST API developer’s cost. It’s no secret that you can leverage differences in purchasing power between countries to gain savings on talent. But it’s also important to factor in hidden costs such as language barriers, time zones, and the logistics of managing a remote team. The real advantage to sourcing talent remotely on Upwork is the ability to scan a global talent pool for the best possible person for the job. Location is no longer an obstacle. 

Cost factor #4: independent contractor vs. agency

The final variable regarding talent cost is hiring an independent contractor vs. an agency. An agency is often a “one size fits all” model, so you’ll often have access to a designer, a project manager, an engineer, and more. When hiring individuals you have total autonomy regarding who is responsible for which part of the project, but you’ll need to source each of those skills separately.

The trade-off between hiring individuals vs. hiring an agency is the level of administrative overhead you incur personally in coordinating tasks among all members of the team. Project scope and personal preference will determine which style is a better fit for your needs.

Common back-end REST API developer mistakes

Unencrypted APIs: You should always use some form of encryption for your APIs. At a minimum, SSL or TLS should be used to encrypt any data flowing through your APIs. Insecure APIs are a common access point for data breaches. People often liken APIs to gateways, but they are more like tunnels that ensure information can travel only between two points. Failing to use encryption would be like leaving the maintenance access door to your tunnel unlocked, allowing a malicious third party access to your traffic or to go somewhere the public is not supposed to be able to reach. 

Nondescript error codes: It can be tempting when writing lots of APIs to return the generic 400 Bad Request error code. But as is often the case in life, taking shortcuts and cutting corners can lead to headaches further down the line. Poorly scripted API error messages are a recipe for increased support tickets and rising blood pressure for the poor developer who has to address them. And for customer-facing APIs, it can lead to bad press and poor user reviews. 

Oftentimes, simply taking the extra step to use the appropriate standard HTTP status code is enough to direct most developers to the source of the issue. 401 means the failure was caused by an authentication error, while 403 means the request was understood but the user didn’t have the right permissions. For cases where the standard error codes aren’t enough, however, it can be helpful to include a simple message or a link to a help page for more information on your site.

Not versioning REST APIs: The digital world is constantly changing. You need to make sure that your APIs remain up to date with the latest security and performance best practices, and sometimes that means making app-breaking changes on the back end. That’s why it’s important to practice versioning early on, especially if this is for a customer-facing API. This will allow you to take advantage of new data technologies and improving services while still providing service to slow adopters within your customer base. You can implement versioning in the request header or the endpoint URI. 

Tips and best practices

Use nouns instead of verbs when naming API endpoints

REST takes a resource-based approach to API development. The actions you can perform are strictly defined by HTTP methods such as GET, PUT, POST, and DELETE. Since actions on resources in HTTP are verbs, it makes more semantic sense to name your endpoints as nouns. So instead of calling GET /addUser123, calling GET /users/123 is preferred. The latter naming is better because anyone looking at your code can immediately tell that 123 is likely an ID for a single user from a collection of users. 

Save resources by filtering your queries

Speaking of resource collections, they can get pretty huge. Sites can have thousands of users, so how can we make our API calls more efficient? The answer is to make more-specific queries. You don’t need to pull the entire list every time the front end of your app needs a certain resource. You can use filtering, sorting, and paging to narrow down the number of results being pulled in an API request. 

  • Filtering lets you narrow query results by named parameters such as price or country. 
  • Sorting lets you pull results in ascending or descending order by a selected parameter such as date. 
  • Paging lets you place a limit on the number of results being pulled per view. 

Document your APIs

At the end of the day, whether your API is for internal use or in a customer-facing product, it’s important for others to be able to read and understand how to use it. API documentation is a skill in and of itself. Documentation should be well written and easy to navigate. It should clearly tell developers what they can and cannot do with your API, what specific commands they are able to make, and the preferred data format they should use.