How to build a public OptinMonster integration: Building the Auth Flow

Aug 16, 2024 • 7 minute read

Hey there, fellow JavaScript enthusiast! Ready to dive into the world of OptinMonster integrations? Today, we're going to tackle one of the most crucial parts of building a public integration: the authorization flow. Don't worry, it's not as daunting as it sounds, and I'll be here to guide you through every step. Let's get started!

Introduction

OptinMonster is a powerful tool for converting visitors into subscribers and customers. But to harness its full potential in your integration, you need to nail the authorization process. This is what allows your users to securely connect their OptinMonster accounts to your app. It's the gateway to all the cool features you want to offer, so let's make sure we get it right!

Prerequisites

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

OptinMonster API credentials (if you don't have these yet, head over to the OptinMonster developer portal)
Your development environment set up (I know you've got this covered, but just a friendly reminder!)

Understanding OAuth 2.0 Flow

OptinMonster uses OAuth 2.0 for authorization. If you're already familiar with OAuth, feel free to skip ahead. If not, here's the TL;DR: OAuth 2.0 is an industry-standard protocol that allows secure authorization without exposing user credentials to your application. It's like a secure handshake between your app, OptinMonster, and the user.

Implementing the Authorization Flow

Initiating the OAuth Request

First things first, we need to send the user to OptinMonster's authorization page. Here's how:

const authUrl = 'https://app.optinmonster.com/oauth/authorize';
const clientId = 'YOUR_CLIENT_ID';
const redirectUri = 'YOUR_REDIRECT_URI';
const scope = 'forms campaigns';

const fullAuthUrl = `${authUrl}?client_id=${clientId}&redirect_uri=${encodeURIComponent(redirectUri)}&scope=${encodeURIComponent(scope)}&response_type=code`;

// Redirect the user to fullAuthUrl

Handling the Callback

Once the user authorizes your app, OptinMonster will redirect them back to your redirectUri with an authorization code. Let's grab that code:

// Assuming you're using Express.js
app.get('/callback', (req, res) => {
  const authCode = req.query.code;
  // Now, let's exchange this code for an access token
});

Exchanging the Code for Access Token

Time to trade in that authorization code for an access token:

const axios = require('axios');

const tokenUrl = 'https://app.optinmonster.com/oauth/token';
const clientSecret = 'YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET';

axios.post(tokenUrl, {
  grant_type: 'authorization_code',
  client_id: clientId,
  client_secret: clientSecret,
  code: authCode,
  redirect_uri: redirectUri
})
.then(response => {
  const { access_token, refresh_token } = response.data;
  // Store these tokens securely
})
.catch(error => {
  console.error('Error getting access token:', error);
});

Refreshing the Access Token

Access tokens don't last forever, so let's implement a refresh mechanism:

function refreshAccessToken(refreshToken) {
  return axios.post(tokenUrl, {
    grant_type: 'refresh_token',
    client_id: clientId,
    client_secret: clientSecret,
    refresh_token: refreshToken
  });
}

// Use this function when you get a 401 Unauthorized response

Securing the Integration

Security is paramount, so here are a few tips:

Never store tokens in local storage or cookies on the client-side
Use secure, HTTP-only cookies or a server-side session to store tokens
Implement HTTPS for all communication
Consider implementing PKCE (Proof Key for Code Exchange) for added security

Testing the Authorization Flow

Now that we've built our flow, let's make sure it works:

Try going through the entire flow and check if you successfully receive an access token
Test error scenarios: What happens if the user denies access? What if the authorization code is invalid?
Verify that token refresh works correctly

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've just built a robust authorization flow for your OptinMonster integration. With this in place, you're ready to start making API requests and building out the awesome features of your integration.

Remember, authorization is the foundation of your integration. Take the time to get it right, and the rest will follow smoothly. You've got this!

Additional Resources

Want to dive deeper? Check out these resources:

Happy coding, and may your conversions be ever in your favor!