One of the things we all know and love about Etsy are the many apps that serve as great tools for Etsy sellers.  Did you ever wonder how these work? Ever thought about learning basic programming? Already know basic HTML and CSS? Then this free four week class may be the thing for you.

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Some of you may be asking what API means.  API stands for “application programming interface”.  It’s communication between two applications that enables information sharing without much user involvement.  Lots of sites use this kind of seamless integration: Amazon, Google, Facebook, Flickr and LinkedIn are just a few.

Handmade Spark members see Etsy API in use every day with their mini-sites.  We gather all your shop information with the Etsy API and combine it with your social media feeds all on to one easy to navigate page.  Then our SEO marketing service goes to work getting Handmade Spark members found in searches – pulling from the Etsy API really gives this a boost.

A super easy way to explain Etsy’s API in particular is referencing a site like Craftopolis.  On Craftopolis all you need to do is enter your Etsy shop name to get some really useful information.  But if you enable the Etsy API, you get even more information and the ability to edit Etsy information.  Once you click the Etsy API button you automatically get directed to the Etsy “Authorize an Application” page.  You sign in on Etsy (your password is not shared) and click “Allow Access”.  You are then automatically directed back to Craftopolis.  You, the user, do not have to really do anything but confirm who you are with Etsy.  That is the “limited user intervention” and “seamless integration” in motion.  Once you’ve enabled access with Etsy API you can see sales you’ve made and edit listings, sending the information directly to Etsy.  Other sites you’re probably familiar with that use Etsy API in similar ways are Craftcult, Metricly and Clockbot (Statsy).

Sound confusing? Here are a few quick links that help explain it further:

What’s Different in the New Etsy API offers a clear and concise explanation of recent changes that were made to the Etsy API.

Handmade Code: How to Safely Use Apps That Connect to Your Etsy Account on the Etsy blog does a great job explaining the code behind API and OAuth.

Wikipedia has a lengthy article with a good basic definition as well as a more complex analysis.

Mashable’s article The Evolution of the Social Media API offers a pretty decent definition of API and how it’s utilized with social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter.

Ready to sign up for the class?  Check out the article on the Storque blog or head directly over to CodeLesson. This class begins Monday the 14th so be sure to sign up soon.  When you’re done you’ll be able to do cool things like:

• Display your Etsy listings on your own site
• Search for listings all over Etsy by keyword and price, or search only in your shop
• Add cool animation effects to your web pages

Have fun and go learn!

~Lauren