"API Integrations"
The Core Concept
API Integration is the bridge that allows two separate software tools to communicate.
For a marketer, this is the magic that happens when a new lead fills out a Facebook Lead Form and automatically appears in Salesforce, or when a Shopify purchase triggers a specialized email in Klaviyo. Without integration, data is siloed and requires manual copy-pasting.
Why It Matters
Data Integrity: Eliminates human error involved in manual data entry.
Real-Time Action: Allows for immediate follow-up (e.g., sending a welcome text 5 seconds after signup).
360-Degree View: Consolidates customer data from support, sales, and marketing into one profile.
Best Practices
Native Integrations: Prefer tools that have pre-built connections.
Middleware: Using tools like Zapier or Make when native integrations don't exist.
Error Handling: Monitoring integrations to ensure data isn't lost if a connection fails.