Ask HN: Is it okay if your startup is based on external APIs?

whichdan · on July 25, 2012

It's really a judgement call, but trying to remove every API dependency before you launch is most likely over-optimization. I'd suggest focusing on launching and refactoring later on, for two reasons:

1. If the app doesn't generate revenue, the time spent refactoring now will be wasted.

2. Your users won't care about whether or not you're using APIs when it's time to sign up.

Just make sure you have a plan in mind for what to do if the APIs do become unavailable, make sure the dependent code fails gracefully, and until then, just keep on truckin'.

pmtarantino · on July 25, 2012

The problem is the product can't work without the API. I thought that maybe a data-entry person could do the work if it fails, but I don't think it would work too much time.

Thank you for your answer :)

PonyGumbo · on July 31, 2012

Don't forget about Mechanical Turk.

ig1 · on July 25, 2012

Yes, but it's just a risk to be aware of. You're far more likely to be killed by other factors than the API disappearing (assuming it's a major API).

You can also mitigate the risk by looking at other options such as alternatives.