Hire the Best Backend Rest API Professionals

Clients rate our Backend Rest API Professionals
Rating is 4.8 out of 5.
4.8/5
Based on 5,263 client reviews
Hamza J.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

$60/hr
4.8
34 jobs

I help founders and product teams ship production backends and AI systems on cloud — APIs, serverless, RAG, and workflows on real data — not demos and not throwaway MVPs. Top Rated · $80k+ on Upwork · 27 reviews · 34 completed jobs. Clients consistently cite expert AWS/TypeScript/serverless delivery, excellent code quality, clear teaching and handoff, and long-term collaboration. WHAT I ENGINEER (AI Systems Engineering) • Production backends — NestJS/Node, Postgres/DynamoDB, event-driven APIs • Cloud-native systems — AWS Lambda, API Gateway, Cognito; GCP Cloud Run; Azure SSO patterns • AI in production — RAG/document Q&A, LangChain backends, MCP integrations, conversational AI with handoff, AI OS agents and workflows on real data • Auth & platforms — OAuth, JWT, Passkeys-class patterns; multi-tenant SaaS foundations PROOF — shipped systems • Fintech auth at scale — Passkeys & social login (Deriv, NestJS) • Enterprise expense ops — serverless employee/admin portals + Azure SSO (Forte Construction) • Marketplace backend — search, feeds, event-driven commerce (Circlin) • Medical staffing — serverless portals + ATS/Bullhorn integrations (Frontera Search Partners) • AI document & chat backends — LangChain, RAG, serverless deploy paths (V1 Digital, legal-tech) • GCP data pipeline modernization — Flask → Cloud Run + Scheduler; ~80% cost reduction on a major pipeline (Upwork client) • Document AI for construction quotes — OCR + LLM + rules on AWS (Textract-class patterns) WHAT CLIENTS SAY (from Upwork reviews) • "Expert in AWS, TypeScript and Serverless" — repeat collaborator, highly recommended (Ferhat K.) • "One of the best freelancers I have ever worked with" — rapid, cost-efficient cloud-native delivery; fantastic teacher (Neil B.) • Collaborating 1+ year; detail-oriented; not afraid of new challenges (Victor S.) • "Pillar of support" — depth of knowledge, thorough, covers all angles (Danny T.) • Excellent code quality and pointed architectural input (Pablo R.) • Knowledgeable AWS, clear English, hire again (Yuanbo G.) START FAST — PROJECT CATALOG Fixed packages for NestJS API starters, RAG/PDF Q&A, AWS deploy, WhatsApp FAQ bots, and landing pages — scoped deliverables in days, then expand to full systems. CUSTOM ENGAGEMENTS Platforms, marketplace backends, ops portals, and AI layers — milestone-based with source code and deploy notes. Stack: TypeScript · NestJS · AWS · GCP · PostgreSQL · DynamoDB · LangChain · OpenAI · Docker Dubai, UAE — own visa, fully authorized to work in UAE. Remote US/EU/MENA. Message with your system, stack, and timeline — or order a Catalog package to start.

  • REST API
  • API Development
  • TypeScript
  • Node.js
  • NestJS
  • Amazon Web Services
  • AWS Lambda
  • Serverless Computing
  • PostgreSQL
  • LangChain
  • OpenAI API
  • AI Chatbot
  • AI App Development
  • DevOps Engineering
  • Microsoft Azure
  • Docker
  • FastAPI
  • Google Cloud Platform
  • API Integration
  • Microservice
Kezia Regina Putri Tanaga K.

Semarang, Indonesia

$25/hr
4.9
37 jobs

I help founders and teams get unstuck when a Laravel, React, or Next.js SaaS product needs to move forward without breaking what already works, whether that's stabilizing an existing Laravel SaaS, building a Marketplace with React and Next.js, adding an AI Chatbot layer to a SaaS platform built on Laravel that already has users, or picking up a Next.js, React, or Laravel SaaS Marketplace codebase someone else left behind. Top Rated on Upwork, 100% Job Success, $30k+ earned. Where I fit best: ✔ Laravel backend development, API integration, and database design ✔ Stabilizing, auditing, and extending existing Laravel, React, and Next.js SaaS platforms ✔ Two-sided Marketplace builds with React, Next.js, and Laravel: listings, lead management, and payment gateway integration ✔ AI Chatbot and OpenAI API integration inside existing Next.js, React, and Laravel SaaS products ✔ React dashboards, Next.js admin panels, and Laravel-powered internal tools ✔ React and Next.js performance optimization, from code splitting to SSR/SSG tuning ✔ Bug fixing, performance work, and ongoing maintenance across Laravel, Next.js, and React SaaS codebases ✔ Full-stack builds combining Laravel, React, and Next.js when the project needs both ends done right, from Marketplace platforms to AI Chatbot features I'm comfortable working alongside AI-assisted workflows like Claude Code and Cursor to move faster on Laravel, React, and Next.js SaaS and Marketplace projects, but I still read and understand every line of Laravel, React, and Next.js code before it ships. What clients say: "Kezia produces very high quality work and is committed to successful outcomes.", client review, Laravel SaaS code review project "Kezia is genuinely impressive... on time, reliable, very proactive, and goes above and beyond the brief.", client review, ongoing React, Next.js, and AI Chatbot integration project I ask questions to clarify tasks and scope, and I give daily progress updates so you're never wondering where things stand. If something outside scope needs fixing, I flag it and ask before touching it, not after. If you have a Laravel, React, or Next.js SaaS project that needs a steady hand, an existing platform to stabilize, a Marketplace build, or an AI Chatbot feature done properly, send me the details and I'll tell you honestly how I'd approach it. Whether the work leans React on the frontend, Next.js for the framework layer, or centers on a Marketplace and AI Chatbot build from scratch, I bring the same care to every Marketplace and AI Chatbot project I take on, with AI Chatbot integration handled end to end.

  • REST API
  • Laravel
  • React
  • Next.js
  • SaaS Development
  • AI Chatbot
  • TypeScript
  • PHP
  • Vue.js
  • API Integration
  • Web Development
  • MySQL
  • JavaScript
  • SaaS
  • Database Design
Priyanshi G.

Saharanpur, India

$20/hr
5.0
1 jobs

I am an experienced Python Developer with 5+ years of experience delivering high-performance backend architectures, SaaS solutions, intelligent automation systems, and AI-driven applications using Django, FastAPI, and industry-leading Python technologies. Core Expertise & Technology Stack ============================= 𝗔𝗜 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗟𝗟𝗠𝘀 & 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗜 Extensive experience building AI-powered applications using OpenAI (GPT-4/4o), Claude, Gemini, Llama, DeepSeek, Qwen, Mistral, and Hugging Face. Skilled in fine-tuning, embeddings, vector search, model orchestration, MCP, function calling, and custom AI workflows. 𝘼𝙄 𝘼𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 & 𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙢𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙎𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙨 Design and development of intelligent agent ecosystems using LangGraph, LangChain, CrewAI, AutoGen, OpenAI Agents SDK, Hermes, Mastra, and PydanticAI. Expertise in multi-agent architectures, tool integration, agentic workflows, AI copilots, and autonomous decision-making systems. 𝘼𝙄 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙨 & 𝙎𝙖𝙖𝙎 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 Building production-ready AI applications with Vercel AI SDK, Next.js, streaming AI interfaces, conversational assistants, and scalable AI SaaS platforms. 𝗥𝗔𝗚, 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 & 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 Implementation of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) systems using LlamaIndex, Haystack, Pinecone, Weaviate, Qdrant, ChromaDB, and FAISS. Experienced in semantic search, hybrid retrieval, knowledge graphs, and enterprise knowledge systems. 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗜 & 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Development of real-time voice applications using LiveKit, Vapi, Retell AI, Bland AI, ElevenLabs, and Whisper. Expertise in AI voice agents, speech recognition, text-to-speech, IVR automation, and conversational workflows. 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗔𝗜 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 Creating autonomous browser agents and computer-use systems with Browser Use, Stagehand, web automation frameworks, and intelligent workflow orchestration. 𝘼𝙄 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 & 𝙊𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙯𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 Experience with LangSmith, LangFuse, Arize Phoenix, prompt evaluation, LLM observability, AI analytics, and performance monitoring for production AI systems. 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝-𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 Building automated business workflows using n8n, Zapier, Make, REST APIs, Webhooks, Twilio, WhatsApp API, HubSpot, Salesforce, and custom CRM/ERP integrations. 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 Strong background in Python, FastAPI, Django, Node.js, Docker, AWS, GCP, Azure, LiteLLM, Ollama, vLLM, microservices, scalable APIs, and serverless architectures. 𝙁𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 Modern web application development using React, Next.js, TypeScript, and Vercel, Shopify and Shopify App development and user-friendly interfaces. 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 & 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 Proficient with PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, Supabase, ETL pipelines, real-time data processing, analytics systems, and large-scale data architectures. So if you are looking for someone who can build a solid backend and connect it perfectly with a modern frontend then I would love to help bring your idea to life.

  • REST API
  • Django
  • Django Stack
  • Python
  • FastAPI
  • LangChain
  • API Integration
  • PostgreSQL
  • React
  • Database Design
  • User Authentication
  • AI Agent Development
  • LLM Prompt Engineering
  • AI Chatbot
  • Node.js
  • Docker
  • Next.js
  • PostgreSQL Programming
  • Shopify Apps
  • Shopify Development
Sandeep K.

Jaipur, India

$10/hr
5.0
18 jobs

Hi, I’m Sandeep — A full stack software engineer with 5+ years of hands-on experience building modern, fast, and secure web applications using PHP I work like a professional product team: ✔️ I Have pain subscription of cursor ai and know how to use efficiently to create/debug. ✔️ Use GitHub or Bitbucket for clean version control ✔️ Write clean, maintainable, production-ready code ✔️ Integrate APIs with strong client-side validation and error handling ✔️ Deliver complete documentation — from API usage to deployment steps ✔️ Optimize websites for speed, SEO, and responsiveness ✅ What I Can Do for You: Custom Dashboards & Admin Panels Booking Systems, Multi-Page Applications, SaaS Applications, Market Place applications REST API Development SEO Optimization, Lighthouse Improvements Full project setup with codebase + documentation + deployment Lando, Docker 📄 Deliverables I Include: Clean and well-structured source code GitHub or Bitbucket API integration guide or documentation Deployment-ready files and instructions (S3, GCP, Hostinger, VPS, etc.) Optional post-delivery support Clients hire me because I’m fast, reliable, and communicative — and I take full ownership of the project. If you're looking for a developer who will think beyond code and deliver business-ready solutions, let’s connect. Let me know if you want a version customized further for e-commerce, SaaS, or admin dashboards, or a separate bio section for your specialized project catalog.

  • REST API
  • API Development
  • CSS
  • SQL
  • HTML
  • React
  • MongoDB
  • Docker
  • WordPress
  • PHP
  • JavaScript
  • MariaDB
  • MySQL
  • API Integration
  • AI Chatbot
  • AI Agent Development
  • AI Bot
  • SaaS
  • SaaS Development
  • Bitbucket
Derartu N.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

$5/hr
5.0
2 jobs

My name is Derartu, a full stack software engineer based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Over the past few years, I've built backend systems, RESTful APIs, and cross platform applications using Django, NestJS, and Node.js, with real world experience in API gateway design, Redis caching, and third-party payment integrations. I also build modern frontends with React and Next.js, and mobile apps with Flutter and Kotlin. My focus is delivering complete, working products end to end without sacrificing the backend reliability and system design clients need as they grow. On the backend side, I specialize in building robust, scalable APIs using Django REST Framework, NestJS, and Node.js. I have real world experience designing API gateways, implementing caching strategies with Redis, and applying rate limiting to keep systems performant under load. I've also integrated third-party payment systems, including Telebirr, working directly with both SOAP and REST APIs a service that's often overlooked but critical for any platform handling real transactions. Whether you need a new backend built from scratch or an existing one optimized for reliability, I can help. Beyond the backend, I build modern, responsive frontends with React and Next.js, and cross-platform mobile apps with Flutter and Kotlin. This means I can take a project from idea to fully working product without you needing to coordinate between multiple freelancers one point of contact, consistent code quality, and faster delivery. I've built full platforms end to end, including a microservice based job matching platform, an Instagram style social app (web + mobile), a role based idea submission platform, a plug and play blog system, and a book e commerce platform integrated with the Google Books API. I containerize services with Docker, follow foundational DevOps practices to keep deployments smooth, and apply core application security practices across every API I build. I've worked across a range of project types social platforms, marketplaces, internal tools, and e commerce which means I can adapt quickly to new domains instead of needing everything explained from scratch. Here's a quick breakdown of what I offer: Backend & API Development — Django, NestJS, Node.js Frontend Development — React, Next.js Mobile App Development — Flutter, Kotlin, React Native System Design — API gateways, Redis caching, rate limiting Third-Party & Payment Integration — SOAP, REST, Telebirr Docker containerization & deployment support

  • REST API
  • API Development
  • Back-End Development
  • Microservice
  • Database Design
  • API Integration
  • Payment Gateway Integration
  • Django
  • NestJS Development
  • Node.js
  • React
  • Redis
  • PostgreSQL
  • MongoDB
  • Docker
  • Golang
Ahsan Z.

Lahore, Pakistan

$35/hr
5.0
48 jobs

Why hire me? I work with teams moving fast on AI — shipping features, MVPs, and products faster than most — and make sure what gets built holds up past the demo: backend systems that can't afford to fail (HIPAA-conscious healthcare platforms, payment flows that have to reconcile perfectly), and AI/RAG pipelines that survive real traffic, not just a screen-share. Most freelancers can describe this work. I've shipped it — live, in production, for clients who couldn't afford it to go wrong. What makes me different → I don't bolt on an API call and call it "AI integration." I design retrieval, structure outputs, and handle the failure modes that only show up under real traffic. → I've built this inside systems where mistakes were expensive: multi-tenant SaaS, payment processing, HIPAA-conscious healthcare infrastructure. → I own the system, not just the ticket — I find where things break and fix them cleanly, not just where I'm told to look. Track record 🏆 Top Rated Freelancer 💰 $140K+ earned on Upwork ⏱️ 5,400+ hours delivered 🚀 42 successful production deployments What I'm best at ⚡ AI-speed builds, made production-ready Reviewing, hardening, and scaling apps built fast with AI tooling — so the backend doesn't buckle the moment real users show up. 💠 RAG & LLM systems Retrieval pipelines, structured LLM outputs, and AI workflows built to survive production traffic — not prompt wrappers stitched onto an API. 💠 Backend for regulated & high-stakes SaaS Django, FastAPI, PostgreSQL — multi-tenant architecture, audit-minded design, RBAC, private AWS VPC networking. 💠 Payments & integrations Processor flows, webhooks, reconciliation, and reporting across account types — the parts of the system that can't be allowed to silently fail. 💠 Cloud delivery AWS, Docker, CI/CD — deployed, monitored, and maintained, not just spun up once and handed off. Proof ▪ Multi-tenant locker SaaS — FastAPI + React, real-time device signaling across mobile/kiosk clients, integrated payment processing ▪ AI threat-intelligence platform — retrieval-driven analysis with structured, automated reporting in place of manual review ▪ HIPAA-conscious healthcare platform — private AWS VPC, RBAC, audit-minded design for regulated referral data If you're moving fast with AI and need the backend to hold up under real usage — or a system built by someone who's already broken these in the ways that matter — message me with the stack and the problem.

  • REST API
  • Full-Stack Development
  • Back-End Development
  • SaaS Development
  • Python
  • Django
  • FastAPI
  • API Integration
  • PostgreSQL
  • OpenAI API
  • Celery
  • Redis
  • React
  • Database Development
  • Next.js
  • Supabase
  • PHP
  • Laravel
  • Node.js
  • TypeScript

How it works

Post a job for freePost a job

Tell us what you need. Create your own job post or generate one with AI then filter talent matches.

Hire top talent fast

Consult, interview, and hire quickly, so you can meet the freelancers you're excited about.

Collaborate easily

Use Upwork to chat or video call, share files, and track project progress right from the app.

Payment simplified

Manage payments in one place with flexible billing options. Only pay for approved work, hourly or by milestone.

Don't just take our word for it

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.