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Reading and Writing Data Using the ActiveCampaign API

Jul 31, 20245 minute read

Hey there, fellow JavaScript devs! Ready to dive into the world of ActiveCampaign API integration? Let's get our hands dirty with some data syncing goodness for user-facing integrations. Buckle up!

Setting the Stage

ActiveCampaign's API is a powerhouse for managing customer data, and when it comes to user-facing integrations, syncing that data efficiently is crucial. We'll walk through the essentials, so you can impress your users (and yourself) with seamless data flow.

Getting Started with the ActiveCampaign API

First things first, let's get you authenticated:

const axios = require('axios'); const api = axios.create({ baseURL: 'https://your-account.api-us1.com/api/3', headers: { 'Api-Token': 'your_api_key_here' } });

Replace 'your-account' and 'your_api_key_here' with your actual details, and you're good to go!

Reading Data: The Treasure Hunt

Let's fetch some data, shall we? Here's a quick way to grab contacts:

async function getContacts() { try { const response = await api.get('/contacts'); return response.data.contacts; } catch (error) { console.error('Oops! ', error); } }

Easy peasy, right? You can tweak this to fetch custom fields, campaign info, or whatever tickles your fancy.

Writing Data: Leave Your Mark

Now, let's add a contact and slap a tag on them:

async function addContact(email, firstName, lastName, tagId) { try { const contact = await api.post('/contacts', { email, firstName, lastName }); await api.post('/contactTags', { contact: contact.data.contact.id, tag: tagId }); return contact.data.contact; } catch (error) { console.error('Whoopsie! ', error); } }

Syncing Data: The Main Event

Here's where the magic happens. Let's create a sync function that handles rate limits and retries:

async function syncData(data, syncFunction, maxRetries = 3) { for (const item of data) { let retries = 0; while (retries < maxRetries) { try { await syncFunction(item); break; } catch (error) { if (error.response && error.response.status === 429) { // Rate limited, wait and retry await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 2000)); retries++; } else { console.error('Sync error: ', error); break; } } } } }

Webhooks: Real-time Magic

Want to keep things up-to-date in real-time? Webhooks are your friend:

const express = require('express'); const app = express(); app.post('/webhook', express.json(), (req, res) => { const { type, contact } = req.body; switch (type) { case 'contact_add': // Handle new contact break; case 'contact_update': // Handle updated contact break; // Add more cases as needed } res.sendStatus(200); });

Best Practices: The Pro Moves

  1. Cache wisely: Store frequently accessed data to reduce API calls.
  2. Batch operations: Group API calls when possible to minimize requests.
  3. Pagination: Use limit and offset parameters for large datasets.
  4. Error logging: Implement robust error logging for easier debugging.

Wrapping Up

And there you have it! You're now equipped to sync data like a pro using the ActiveCampaign API. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't be afraid to experiment and push the boundaries.

Keep coding, stay curious, and may your integrations always be smooth! 🚀