API integrations: data, webhooks and sync errors
Connecting two applications goes beyond the first successful API request. A useful integration needs data ownership rules and a recovery path.
Verify access before estimating
Documentation, subscription tiers, permissions and API limits can change the solution. Request a test environment or anonymised examples. Confirm the required read and write functions exist.
Define the data model
Agree identifiers, fields, formats and the source of truth. Decide how to handle missing values and changes in both systems. Initial migration and continuous synchronisation are separate stages.
Events may arrive more than once
Webhooks may repeat or be delayed. Verify authenticity according to provider documentation and use identifiers to avoid duplicate operations. Event delivery does not guarantee global ordering.
Prepare recovery
Stop or retry operations with explicit limits. Keep useful logs without unnecessary sensitive data and alert on cases needing intervention. Handover should document safe retries and manual checks.