Nowadays, APIs have become an inextricable part of various applications. They have made the integration of different programs and access to databases quite easy and possible. APIs can be used in various areas to provide a better and more convenient experience for users of your system.
What are APIs?
Before getting to the specific cases, let’s first better understand what APIs are. APIs – Application Programming Interfaces – are intermediaries that make it possible for two software components to interact with each other. In other words, they are messengers that take your request to the provider and bring back the results. This is what makes it possible for you to check the weather in a matter of seconds, for example. In this case, the weather app uses the API to access the weather forecast database and bring back the relevant information you are looking for.
Now when we have enough idea of what APIs are, we can look at a few great examples of API use and their benefits.
Business License Lookup API
There are many business APIs that are relatively complicated and not wildly available for everyone. However, there are others with more accessible features. One of them is the business license lookup API. It is a simple API allowing the user to gain access to vast data on different businesses. All a user needs to do is create an account on the platform, and they will have full access to all the features that the API offers.
Here, you can do a search of business by either the company name, business name, or license number. The results will provide you with data on the particular business you are looking for. The information will include the company’s license type code, ID, agency name, and much more.
License Plate Search API
Another very useful system is the license plate search API. It allows the users to gain information about the automobile with one click. All you need to do after registering into the system is to put down a license plate and the name of the state. The search results will give you information on different aspects of the vehicle, such as the vehicle type and model, engine, VIN, and more. Furthermore, it also provides data on possible past accidents, illegal modifications, and any additional information about the vehicle history. Using this tool, you can also find out whether a particular license number is available for obtaining or not. This is a valuable resource for those who wish to learn more about the vehicle they intend to purchase.
People Search API
Following the examples of useful APIs, we can also look at the people search API. This is a search tool that allows you to retrieve information on individuals. After registering in the system, all you need to know is the person’s first and last names. The name has to be their legal name that is on their official documents, such as their birth certificate. The rest of the information will become available to you with one click. This tool is very useful for a number of purposes. For example, employees who do research on other people will save a lot of time and effort by using this API. The search scope is limited to two countries; Canada and Australia.
Phone Number Lookup API
Another one of the API that might come in handy in different situations is the phone number lookup API. With only a phone number at hand, you can find out many other details about its owner, such as the person’s name, full address, and zip code. This is a very useful API to find out about the availability of a number you wish to obtain as well as for finding out information about the owner of the number. This tool allows conducting searches by Australian and Canadian phone numbers.
USDOT Motor Carrier Search API
USDOT Motor Carries Search API allows users to find out information about the motor carriers in the US. You can access the information you seek by registering and putting in the license plate and the state name. Doing so, you will find out a number of details about the vehicles, including code, the total number of drivers, any previous accidents, and so on. Moreover, if you also have the VIN (vehicle identification number) number at hand, you can get information on the vehicle you are interested in. This way, you will have a full understanding of its history and any relevant information that you need.
Vehicle Information Search API
Similar to the APIs mentioned above, this one also allows visitors to access various types of information on vehicles. The information includes data about the model, its history, the manufacturer, etc. It is another excellent tool for locating safe and reliable cars with all their information available to you.
ZIP Codes Search API
Lastly, there is the ZIP Codes Search API that gives access to information on ZIP codes and other relevant data. The data will include city, county, state, timezone, and more. This is another valuable tool for those looking for relevant information.
To sum up…
As illustrated in the examples above, there are many ways that APIs can benefit people. API uses have a broad reach and can be used for various purposes. They can be integrated into many areas, making everything much easier and more accessible.
