What is API Integration?
API integration is the process of connecting two or more software systems so they can share data and trigger actions automatically.
What APIs are
An API (Application Programming Interface) is like a menu at a restaurant: it tells you what the kitchen can make and how to order it. When you integrate two apps via API, you're asking App A to send specific data to App B in a format App B understands.
What integration means in practice
Integration means two systems can talk without a human in the middle. A new lead in your CRM automatically creates a task in your project tool. A completed payment triggers an invoice in your accounting software. An inbound email routes to the right support agent based on content. This is integration working.
REST vs webhook APIs
REST APIs are request-response: your system asks for data and the other system responds. Webhooks are push-based: the other system sends data to you when something happens. Most modern apps support both. Rest APIs are better for fetching records on demand; webhooks are better for real-time event-driven workflows.
How Make.com and n8n make this easier
Both platforms provide pre-built connectors for 1,000+ apps, handling authentication, rate limiting, and data formatting for you. Without these tools, integrating two apps requires writing and maintaining code. With them, most standard integrations take minutes to configure instead of days to build.
When to hire vs DIY
Use Make or n8n and build it yourself if both apps have native connectors and the data mapping is straightforward. Hire a developer (or 2pizza.team) when the integration requires custom logic, there is no native connector, the data transformation is complex, or the workflow needs to handle high volume reliably with error recovery.
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