Step by Step Guide to Building a ConvertKit API Integration in JS

Hey there, fellow dev! Ready to dive into the world of email marketing automation with ConvertKit? Let's build an integration that'll make your life easier and your subscribers happier. Buckle up!

Introduction

ConvertKit's API is a powerhouse for managing subscribers, tags, and broadcasts. We're going to harness that power and create a slick integration that'll have you automating tasks faster than you can say "email sequence."

Prerequisites

Before we jump in, make sure you've got:

• Node.js and npm (you're a dev, so I'm sure you're covered)
• A ConvertKit account with an API key (if you don't have one, go grab it from your account settings)

Setting up the project

Let's get our hands dirty:

mkdir convertkit-integration
cd convertkit-integration
npm init -y
npm install axios dotenv

Authentication

Security first! Create a .env file and add your API key:

CONVERTKIT_API_KEY=your_api_key_here

Now, let's create an API client:

require('dotenv').config();
const axios = require('axios');

const client = axios.create({
  baseURL: 'https://api.convertkit.com/v3/',
  params: { api_key: process.env.CONVERTKIT_API_KEY }
});

Basic API Operations

Time to flex those API muscles:

Fetching subscribers

async function getSubscribers() {
  const response = await client.get('subscribers');
  return response.data.subscribers;
}

Creating a new subscriber

async function createSubscriber(email) {
  const response = await client.post('subscribers', { email });
  return response.data.subscriber;
}

Updating subscriber information

async function updateSubscriber(id, data) {
  const response = await client.put(`subscribers/${id}`, data);
  return response.data.subscriber;
}

Advanced Operations

Let's kick it up a notch:

Managing tags

async function addTag(subscriberId, tagId) {
  await client.post(`tags/${tagId}/subscribe`, { email: subscriberId });
}

Creating and sending broadcasts

async function createBroadcast(content) {
  const response = await client.post('broadcasts', { content });
  return response.data.broadcast;
}

Handling webhooks

// Express.js example
app.post('/webhook', (req, res) => {
  const event = req.body;
  // Handle the event
  res.sendStatus(200);
});

Error Handling and Rate Limiting

Don't let those pesky errors get you down:

async function apiCall(fn) {
  try {
    return await fn();
  } catch (error) {
    if (error.response && error.response.status === 429) {
      // Handle rate limiting
      await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 1000));
      return apiCall(fn);
    }
    throw error;
  }
}

Testing the Integration

Test, test, and test again:

const assert = require('assert');

describe('ConvertKit API', () => {
  it('should fetch subscribers', async () => {
    const subscribers = await getSubscribers();
    assert(Array.isArray(subscribers));
  });
});

Best Practices

• Cache frequently accessed data to reduce API calls
• Use batch operations when possible
• Keep your API key secret and rotate it regularly

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've just built a robust ConvertKit API integration. Remember, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The ConvertKit API has a ton more features to explore, so don't be afraid to dive deeper.

Keep coding, keep learning, and most importantly, keep those subscribers engaged!