Building APIs is easier when compared with building web and mobile apps as it requires less — building APIs involves defining endpoints, handling requests, and returning responses, while building full UI applications includes UI design, frameworks, compatibility, and much more. But with the simplicity in its launch, an API architecture requires more attention to detail. API Performance, along with well-developed workflows, determine the overall user experience.

Large enterprises (including Amazon.com) optimize their APIs for high-performance.

API performance directly impacts the following aspects:

User productivity: A fast-performing API translates to quicker task completion for users, reducing frustrating waiting times and enhancing overall efficiency in their work. Furthermore, consistent and reliable API performance ensures that users can access data and services without disruptions, preventing workflow interruptions and enhancing productivity. Additionally, high-performing APIs are scalable, accommodating increased user demands and data loads as productivity requirements grow, ensuring a seamless experience for users throughout their work.

Churn/Drop rate: These measure user attrition and abandonment of services. When APIs are slow, users are more likely to become frustrated and disengage from an application or service, resulting in a higher churn rate. Conversely, fast and reliable API performance keeps users satisfied, reduces frustration, and encourages their continued engagement, ultimately lowering churn or drop rates and promoting user retention. In essence, a well-performing API can significantly contribute to user loyalty and the overall success of an application or service by minimizing the rate at which users abandon it.

User experience: A fast-performing API translates to quicker task completion for users, reducing frustrating waiting times and enhancing overall efficiency in their work. Also, consistent and reliable API performance ensures that users can access data and services without disruptions, preventing workflow interruptions and enhancing productivity.

NPS (Net Promoter Score): This measures customer loyalty and willingness to recommend a product or service. Poor API performance can frustrate users and result in lower NPS scores, as dissatisfied customers are less likely to become advocates for the product or service. In essence, strong API performance can be a driving force behind higher NPS, reflecting user satisfaction and loyalty, while poor performance can hinder it by diminishing user enthusiasm and advocacy.

Missed Upsell opportunities: Direct impact on upsell opportunities by satisfying users, hence increasing their likelihood to explore additional services. Poor performance can lead to user dissatisfaction and hinder upsell potential as frustrated users are less likely to invest in extra offerings.

Lower SEO ranking: Search engines consider website speed and user experience as ranking factors. Slow or unreliable APIs can result in slower page load times and a poor user experience, potentially leading to lower search engine rankings. In contrast, fast and responsive APIs contribute to quicker page load times, better user experiences, and improved SEO rankings, as search engines prioritize sites that provide a positive user experience.

PerfAI is a proactive API performance platform. It helps enterprises and startups alike deliver high-performance APIs with it’s no-code AI platform.

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Reference to the original blog: https://www.perfai.ai/blog/why-api-performance-equals-to-50-user-experience