Using WordPress as an API can be a very beneficial way to run your WordPress website or blog. Using WordPress as an API can assist developers in building a website that is enhanced through the usage of WordPress plugins and themes. You can structure your website exactly how you want it.
The Application Programming Interface (API) serves as a way for two applications to communicate. This communication of API paves the way for applications to acquire content in a structured way that is also flexible and powerful to assist in the operation of your WordPress website or blog.
Using WordPress as an API:
WordPress works as an XML-RPC for data management at the administrative level. Because of this WordPress has multiple built-in APIs. This is great because it allows for the WordPress or website designers to enhance any WordPress blog or website through the usage of WordPress plugins, widgets and themes. Using WordPress as an API can allow WordPress users to have a single instance of content and users distributed across multiple theories. This means that WordPress developers can build third-party applications around web-based content or service. Using WordPress as an API also allows WordPress users to enhance the overall user experience within the actual context of your website by building an AJAZ rich application.
How Does it Work?
When using WordPress as an API, WordPress separates the admin and plugins from the website’s theme. This allows for the content to exist independently outside of the theme. Modifying a website’s theme like this does not impact your content, but instead allows for third-party usage and development. A great analogy of this system is like growing a flower garden for personal use at your house, but then when you use the API, it begins creating an entire flower shop where consumers can purchase your flower arrangements and you make deliveries with your flowers. This is how using WordPress as an API allows for a multi-user relationships between your website content and multiple containers like mobile apps, third-party websites and social networks. Basically by using WordPress as an API, you are adding an API to WordPress as a way to expand your online sphere of influence to other websites, online tools and web users.
Implementation of API:
When you are ready to begin using WordPress as an API, get started by passing additional query string parameters to the theme and then modify the theme to process API calls. Now you can determine what format to return the content in for your website. A great example of how this works is when you might use your WordPress theme to build an events management theme using custom post types for that theme like events, sessions, guest speakers, venues, guests, etc. Now, your conference attendees will need to use an external source like smart phones or computer tablets during the actual event to begin managing schedules, rate sessions and more. Using an API allows for third-party development like creating new apps, which represent users interacting with your online content and services through WordPress. Twitter is a great example of being built on API because it allows users and developers to interact with Twitter services on the terms of Twitter development.
Using WordPress as an API is like taking SEO to the next level. Now you are using your website, not only as a way to be found on the Internet with keywords, etc. You are now using your website and sharing to others to get found via search engine or links from other sites essentially spreading the wealth of your website. This is a great way to get your information out there and progress even further online.