Self-Service Registration

You’ve launched an API to stimulate innovation around your company's resources. Don’t stand in the way of developers innovating. Provide self-service registration for developers to gain access.

Even if an API is not meant to be public, there are plenty of ways to provide self-service access while still securing the API--such as using invitation codes or limited entry service tiers, that limit access when developers first register. Innovation around an API will occur around the clock, don’t make developers wait for access.

Another area to consider when trying to reduce friction during registration, is allowing developers to register using their existing social network accounts like Twitter, Facebook and Google. When employing this option, make sure and include Github, which is the most logical of social networks for developers to use when registering for an API--Github allows the API owner to stay in tune with the profile of a developer that is most relevant to APIs and programming, and not just their everyday social life.