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SharpSpring API Essential Guide

Aug 15, 20246 minute read

What type of API does SharpSpring provide?

Based on the search results provided, I do not have any specific information about SharpSpring's API type. The search results contain general information about different API types like REST, SOAP, GraphQL, and gRPC, but do not mention SharpSpring specifically.

To accurately answer what type of API SharpSpring uses, we would need to consult SharpSpring's official documentation or developer resources. Without that information, I cannot definitively state what API type they use.

If you need to know SharpSpring's API type, I would recommend:

  1. Checking SharpSpring's official developer documentation or API reference
  2. Contacting SharpSpring's support or developer relations team
  3. Looking for any public information on their website about their API offerings

Many modern SaaS platforms tend to use REST APIs, but without specific confirmation from SharpSpring, we cannot assume this is the case for their API. They could potentially be using any of the common API types like REST, SOAP, or GraphQL, or even a custom API format.

Does the SharpSpring API have webhooks?

The SharpSpring API does not have native webhook functionality. However, SharpSpring offers a feature called "PostBacks" that can be used to achieve similar functionality.

SharpSpring allows you to use workflows to trigger integrations using the "Post Back Lead Info" action. This action allows you to push lead information to an external resource when a trigger is met, and you can provide a URL to which the information will be posted.

SharpSpring's PostBacks can be paired with services like Zapier Webhooks to create webhook-like functionality. You can use Zapier to provide a unique URL that catches the SharpSpring Postback, which allows you to trigger actions in other services based on events in SharpSpring.

Some use cases for this setup include sending SMS messages via Twilio when a lead record is updated, alerting a team via Slack when a form submission is received, and creating Zoom Webinar registrations directly from a SharpSpring form.

While not true webhooks, PostBacks can be used effectively to create integrations that respond to events in SharpSpring. Consider using intermediary services like Zapier to expand the capabilities of SharpSpring's PostBacks, and ensure your external endpoint is properly configured to handle the data sent by SharpSpring.

Rate Limits and other limitations

Unfortunately, I do not have enough information to provide specific details about the API rate limits for the SharpSpring API. The search results do not contain any definitive information about SharpSpring's rate limiting policies. Here are the key points to consider:

Key Points

  • API rate limiting is an important mechanism used to control the flow of requests to an API and prevent abuse or overload [2].

  • Common rate limiting approaches include fixed window counters, sliding logs, and sliding counters [2].

  • Rate limits are typically specified as a certain number of requests allowed within a time period (e.g. 100 requests per hour) [2].

  • Rate limiting helps prevent denial-of-service attacks, ensures fair resource allocation, and manages operational costs [2].

Best Practices

  • Check the API documentation for specific rate limit details, as these can vary significantly between APIs.

  • Use API rate limit headers to track your usage and avoid hitting limits.

  • Implement backoff and retry logic in your code to handle rate limit errors gracefully.

  • Consider using a dedicated rate limiting library or service to manage complex rate limiting scenarios.

Conclusion

While I cannot provide SharpSpring's specific rate limits, understanding general rate limiting concepts and best practices will help you work effectively with any API. Always refer to the official API documentation for the most up-to-date and accurate information on rate limits for a particular service.

Latest API Version

Unfortunately, I could not find specific information about the most recent version of the SharpSpring API in the provided search results. The search results contain general information about SharpSpring and its integrations, but do not mention API version numbers.

However, I can provide some relevant information about the SharpSpring API based on the search results:

Key Points:

  1. SharpSpring offers an open API for integrations [1].

  2. The API documentation is available, though the specific link was not provided in the search results [1].

  3. SharpSpring supports various types of integrations, including API, Native, and Zapier integrations [1].

  4. Several third-party services and tools integrate with SharpSpring via its API, including Databox, SatuitCRM, LeadsBridge, and Survicate [1].

API Usage:

While the search results don't provide detailed API information, they do include a snippet about how to use the API:

  1. The API endpoint URL structure is:

    https://api.sharpspring.com/pubapi/v1/?accountID={{accountID}}&secretKey={{secretKey}}
    
  2. Requests are made using POST method.

  3. The request body is in JSON format and includes a "method" and "params" object [5].

Best Practices:

  1. When using the SharpSpring API, ensure you have the correct accountID and secretKey.

  2. Familiarize yourself with the available API methods and their parameters.

  3. Be aware of any rate limits or usage restrictions that may apply to the API.

To get the most up-to-date information about the SharpSpring API version and documentation, it would be best to consult the official SharpSpring developer documentation or contact their support directly.

How to get a SharpSpring developer account and API Keys?

To get a developer account for SharpSpring to create an API integration, you need to follow these steps:

Obtain API Access

  1. Log into your SharpSpring account.

  2. Click on your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Settings".

  3. In the left side Settings panel, under "SharpSpring API", click on the "API Settings" link.

  4. On this page, you will see your Account ID and Secret Key for the SharpSpring API.

  5. If you want to generate new API keys, you can click the "Generate New API Keys" button (optional).

  6. Copy the Account ID and Secret Key - you will need these to authenticate your API requests.

Key Points to Consider

  • You must have an existing SharpSpring account to access the API.
  • The API keys (Account ID and Secret Key) are used for authentication when making API requests.
  • Keep your API keys secure and do not share them publicly.
  • SharpSpring provides open access to their API, allowing for custom integrations.

What can you do with the SharpSpring API?

Based on the search results provided, here are the key data models you can interact with using the SharpSpring API, along with what is possible for each:

Leads

  • Get lead details
  • Create new leads
  • Update existing lead information
  • Search for leads based on criteria
  • Delete leads

Contacts

  • Retrieve contact information
  • Add new contacts
  • Modify contact data
  • Search contacts
  • Remove contacts

Opportunities

  • Get opportunity details
  • Create new opportunities
  • Update opportunity information
  • Search for opportunities
  • Delete opportunities

Accounts

  • Retrieve account data
  • Add new accounts
  • Modify account information
  • Search for accounts
  • Remove accounts

Campaigns

  • Get campaign details
  • Create new marketing campaigns
  • Update campaign information
  • Search for campaigns
  • Delete campaigns

Forms

  • Retrieve form submission data
  • Create new forms
  • Modify existing forms
  • Search for forms
  • Remove forms

Emails

  • Get email details and metrics
  • Create and send emails
  • Update email content
  • Search for emails
  • Delete emails

Workflows

  • Retrieve workflow information
  • Create new automation workflows
  • Modify existing workflows
  • Search for workflows
  • Delete workflows

Custom Fields

  • Get custom field definitions
  • Create new custom fields
  • Update custom field properties
  • Search for custom fields
  • Remove custom fields

The API allows you to perform standard CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations on most of these data models, as well as search functionality. You can use the API to sync data with other systems, automate processes, and build custom integrations with SharpSpring.