Video conferencing has become an essential element of our everyday communication in both professional and personal contexts since the Covid-19 epidemic.
In fact, according to Trustradius data, video conferencing usage increased by as much as 500% in 2020!
Video calls have emerged as the preferred option for businesses wishing to organize conferences and events safely while keeping in touch with employees and suppliers. It seems sense that many businesses are incorporating video chat features into their applications given how it may increase productivity and improve relationships.
Additionally, customers can benefit from video conferencing without the need for additional software by integrating a video conferencing API into already-existing applications.
So, if you’re considering video conferencing API for your application, we’ve got you covered with all the information you need to make an informed decision.
What do APIs do?
Application Programming Interfaces, or APIs, are snippets of code that can easily be incorporated into other programs to provide fresh features and capabilities. Consider it as the bridge that connects you and your system, seamlessly facilitating communication and interaction. It receives your requests, sends them to the system, and then gives you the outcome.
For instance, API is comparable to a waiter in a restaurant. Your food order is taken, sent to the kitchen, and then the completed meal is brought to your table by him. Similarly, an API enables information exchange and streamlines the process of achieving the desired result.
What Do Video Conferencing APIs Do?
Using a video calling API, developers can easily incorporate real-time voice and visual communication features into their web or mobile applications. Programmers can design distinctive live video and voice chat experiences on any device using the technical framework provided by this API.
The WebRTC technology is mostly used by video calling APIs and SDKs to provide high-quality data streaming. This enables real-time communication without the need for any additional software or plugins.
Why Include Video Conferencing in Your App?
As the pandemic took hold, we all had to adapt to a new way of connecting. Enter Zoom, the saving grace of 2020. However, the demand for video solutions with specific applications has increased, and users want one-stop-shop solutions that let them make video calls without juggling multiple apps. The widespread adoption of video conferencing solutions extends beyond the pandemic era, indicating its lasting relevance.
Employees appreciate the flexibility of working from home, businesses have learned to reach people more effectively, and valuable time and energy have been saved. Video conferencing proves to be an exceptional mode of communication. It transcends geography and time constraints, opening up opportunities for connection and collaboration. The pandemic has made it apparent, and there’s no going back.
Why Use APIs for Video Conferencing?
Similar to creating a sophisticated machine from scratch, creating a virtual conferencing system from scratch is no easy task. The worst part is that you can end up breaking the bank. Even with a blueprint, it can be difficult to foresee every potential roadblock because the devil is in the details.
Time is yet another important aspect when it comes to video conferencing, which makes it even more difficult. Everyone is rushing to the finish line in a fierce competition to be the first to seize the valuable prospects that remote collaboration has to offer.
Furthermore, development doesn’t stop once you start production. Your product roadmap will soon grow stale and out-of-date if you don’t maintain it at least a year in advance with constant improvements, additions, and problem repairs. In other words, creating custom software involves a sustained commitment and a large outlay of time, money, and resources.
Thus, a more effective, dependable, and economical approach to include live video and audio collaboration features in any application or service is by using a video conferencing API.
How to Choose an API
With the abundance of API choices available, selecting the right one requires a strategic approach. Begin by asking two crucial questions:
- What immediate problem are you aiming to solve?
- What functionalities will you require in the long run?
By gaining clarity on these, you can effectively assess API solutions based on the following five key criteria.
- Simple to Use
APIs are designed to streamline procedures and get rid of unnecessary hassles. Therefore, it’s imperative to make sure that data sets can be transferred quickly and that an API can be seamlessly integrated into your system design.
In order to support the programmers and product team in charge of the integration process, choosing an API with thorough documentation is also crucial. This documentation should include tutorials, examples, and readily accessible code samples.
2. Trustworthy
When it comes to video conferencing, quality, and security are paramount. Quality ensures smooth communication without disruptions, while robust engineering enables seamless real-time data flow. Make it a priority to choose technologies that have been extensively tested and proven effective in a wide range of situations.
As for security, seek end-to-end encryption as a minimum requirement and consider additional measures based on the specific industry and user needs to protect private meetings from unwanted intrusions.
3. Highly Adaptable
It’s important to strike the correct balance when it comes to features. By carefully evaluating what is genuinely important and what can be adjusted or omitted, you can avoid complicating the user experience. Flexibility is essential to future-proofing your solution and adjusting to changing needs.
4. Scalability
Choose a scalable video calling API or SDK that can scale with your growing user base and accommodate increasing capabilities if you’re thinking about future growth. Choose a platform with limitless scalability, which will prevent you from ever needing to switch platforms and will allow you to confidently set challenging targets.
5. User Experience
Prioritizing a readily customizable solution is important, but it’s equally important to pick one that meets the unique requirements of your users and lets you create a white-label chat app. Think of amenities like classroom controls for educational purposes, seamless access for customer-facing interactions, and digital whiteboards for productive business meetings.
Additionally, consider other components that can enhance the user experience, such as on-screen interactions, accessibility choices, and time-saving tools like automated captions and translations. By attending to these demands, you can develop a distinctive and captivating solution that distinguishes you from rivals.
Conclusion
Incorporating video conferencing into your application through reputable video conferencing APIs offers the flexibility to customize while bypassing the time-consuming and costly process of building a solution from scratch.
Although video-calling APIs share common features, they are not equal, and the quality of the API service and the provider can greatly influence the scalability and operational security of your concept. Therefore, it is crucial to make a wise choice and select the appropriate video call API right from the beginning.
