WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world, as it allows users to build and manage websites, blogs and online content. Its ease of use and streamlined process makes it a primary component of many businesses’ functionality and operations. It’s now used by over 43% of the top 10 million websites in the world, which is no surprise due to its quality of features and multiple uses.
One of the most underrated WordPress dashboard features is that it can incorporate REST API plugins. These stand for Representational State Transfer and Application Programming Interface, which combine to create a software that enables two applications to exchange data using a specific set of constraints. This means that you can connect your WordPress website with external applications.
This guide will take a closer look at the WordPress REST API plugin and how you can effectively use it for your business.
How the WordPress REST API Works
Previously, you had to install a separate plugin in order to access the WordPress JSON REST API but after version 4.4 of the CMS, the REST API became part of the core software. This means that starting out with the software has become slightly easier. There are four different types of HTTP methods you can use to interact with the software:
- GET: Fetch information from the server.
- POST: Send information to the server.
- PUT: Edit and update existing data.
- DELETE: Get rid of information.
Before you can use these different interaction methods, you need to familiarize yourself with the REST API.
REST Principles
Client-Server Separation
REST API enables clients and the server to be separate from each other, which can help them to continue functioning as independents. This will make the process more streamlined and avoid any mistakes from occurring.
Caching
Using cacheable data with REST API will improve performance and allow the website to better understand the data so it can easily evaluate whether it can be cached. This reduces the need to access the underlying slower storage layer.
Statelessness
Information cannot be stored by REST APIs if it’s about the connected website, as it only takes the required information that they need to process the request. This eases the process of recognising the needed information from the unneeded.
Uniform Interface
Due to how streamlined the interface is, it makes it easier for the software to request resources in the same way every time. This means that it doesn’t matter of the origin of the resource.
Layered Architecture
The foundation of REST APIs is a tiered system, where each layer performs a distinct function and operates independently of the others. As a result, the API is safer and simpler to update.
REST APIs can offer greater security and efficiency because it complies with these standards.
How to Start Using the WordPress REST API
1. Access the Software
WordPress REST API can be accessed from any application that can submit HTTP endpoints. You can then use your chosen interaction method to complete an action with the software. If you want to get a list of your WordPress posts in JSON format, you can enter a specific command with your favourite browser. For example, you can enter the following:
GET yourwebsiteurl.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts
You will need to enter your chosen browser into the placeholder URL in a version of WordPress that is greater than version 4.4. We recommend that you use the command line instead of a browser to provide a more flexible approach.
2. Fetch a Specific Post
Once you’ve been given the list of all your WordPress posts, you can then fetch a specific post using its ID. You should use an endpoint like the following to achieve this:
GET yourwebsiteurl.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/535
This can be done for many reasons, but the main one would be for showcasing a specific WordPress post translated within a mobile application. This allows you to fetch a large variety of information from WordPress, which can give applications amazing flexibility when using the REST API software.
You don’t have to use the GET method for this stage, as you can also use POST for adding metadata, PUT for editing or updating or DELETE to get rid of anything unwanted.
3. Add Metadata
You can then add new data to any of your posts, as long as you have authenticated yourself on WordPress. Adding metadata can be very important for improving the SEO of a website, which is why a digital marketing agency will use WordPress to streamline this. Using POST instead of GET from the previous stage will allow you to add this metadata.
For this, you can use the following:
POST yourwebsiteurl.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/535/meta?value=newmetadata
Using JSON objects instead can allow you to specify the metadata, which can be important depending on how much metadata you want to add. This is a much more structured approach that provides enhanced stability.