Once you decide to use a unified format for your integrations, the next question that arises is whether you should use a unified API provider.
Using a unified API provider can come against the backdrop of what type of resources you have, how your company is set up and your upcoming strategies. Here are some considerations and how to make decisions based on them:
GTM
Are you looking at GTM sooner? In 2 weeks? or in 3 months? If your current resources are coming in the way of your GTM plans, you should use a unified API provider. Using a unified API provider can help you build an MVP that's built with what your customers need.
Resources
How big is your team currently? Is it just one co-founder who is writing all the code? Perhaps you made your first software engineer hire and they are building features? If this is how your team is set up you can use a unified API provider. Most times, the solution provided by the unified API provider will be able to match your demands as a growing company. If you feel that they may not be able to support you, you should consider moving things in-house or switching to another unified API provider.
No. of integrations
If you're looking at building just one or two integrations, then it's better you build them in-house. It might take a couple weeks but you don't have another tool to manage. And why pay for something when you cannot take full advantage of it?
If you're looking at integrating with a considerable number of applications, within a short time frame, then you should look at using a unified API provider. For example, Truto can help you go live with +200 apps in less than an hour.
Product roadmap
Is your product roadmap full of features to be built for customers and you are struggling to find spots to add the integrations your customers have requested? Then perhaps it's time to start using a unified API provider.
Maintenance
If integrations form a core part of your product, then you'll have to spend resources on maintaining them in the long run too. In 1 or 2 years, do you want to spend time and money on maintaining integrations from a strategic point of view? If the answer is no, you should look at using a unified API provider.
Effort vs ROI
If you need to build and maintain integration in-house, you'll need at least two full-time full-stack engineers working on them. The average salary for a full-stack engineer now is about $80k. That's $160k a year. You'll need to assess the prices quoted by your unified API provider and make a choice. Truto's cost for its unified API solution will make this choice a no-brainer.
Once you have decided to use a unified API provider based on these factors you will want to make sure you're choosing the best one. You should make sure that you are asking them these questions so you have a thorough understanding before choosing them.
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