Let’s face it: picking a new vendor can be like ordering a meal at a new restaurant. You don’t always have a glowing recommendation from a friend, and instead, you’re left scrolling through reviews that feel a little too enthusiastic (or suspiciously negative). Making these choices for SaaS solutions, which might stick with your business for years, is no easy feat. Even with all the fancy case studies and live demos, we’ve all had that sinking feeling when we realize, “Wait, this isn’t what I signed up for.”
NOTE: The test applies even to vendors where you don’t plan to use their API. Think of it like wanting to know if the health inspector gave the restaurant an A+ rating. |
So, what’s a reliable way to cut through the marketing buzz? As tech advisors for our companies, there’s one litmus test that can speed things up and separate reality from hype: APIs. Yup, those often intimidatingly nerdy gateways are a great way to separate a solid vendor from one that’s smoke and mirrors. Let’s break down how to score your vendors—and maybe save yourself some indigestion.
1. Does the API exist? (+30 points)
If the solution has an API, that’s a glorious green flag. It shows the vendor is technically mature and understands the importance of communication between systems. Think of it as a handshake—an API is a commitment to reliability. Jeff Bezos made it an Amazon-wide rule back in 2002, and that seemed to work out pretty well for them.
2. Is there public documentation for the API? (+20 points)
When a vendor has public API docs, it’s a good sign for three reasons:
- They’re confident about their security. It’s out there for all to see—no “security through obscurity” nonsense.
- They understand that ideas are cheap; execution is everything.
- It reduces the chance you’ll need “institutional knowledge” (aka “let me go ask an engineer”) to figure things out.
3. Are the features you want in the docs? (+10 points)
If you can easily find the details on how to create, read, update, or delete your data, you’re in good hands. That means the vendor takes data governance seriously and isn’t trying to lock you into their system. Also, this significantly reduces the chance that you’re dealing with vaporware.
4. Does the API include code samples? (+10 points)
Be honest: when was the last time you read a recipe blog all the way through? You probably just hit the “Jump to Recipe” button. Code samples are the “Jump to Recipe” of API documentation. Whether or not you understand the language, the fact that they’re included is a great sign.
5. Does the API talk about different environments (prod vs. test)? (+10 points)
Unless you’re part of the “we test in production” club (and let’s hope you’re not), having a vendor who provides testing details is essential. If their docs outline how to use different environments or mock data, you’re golden.
6. Is the documentation scattered across different places? (-20 points)
You know that saying, “The only thing worse than no documentation is bad documentation?” Well, here we are. A good vendor has a single source of truth. If your team is constantly chasing down the “right” documentation on various sites, you’re going to get a lot of frustrated looks.
7. Do you see a lot of “Contact Customer Service” notes? (-20 points)
Don’t get me wrong—sometimes it’s nice when a vendor steps in to save the day. But if the documentation frequently says, “At this point, call us,” that’s a red flag. It’s the equivalent of a deus ex machina—where a mysterious person suddenly appears to fix everything. You don’t want your experience constantly relying on a person tweaking a database to make things work.
8. Does the API feel like part of the platform? (+20 points)
Trust your gut. If the API feels like a natural part of the platform, that’s a good sign. But if it seems bolted on or like it’s having an identity crisis, you might want to dig a little deeper. It could be a symptom of something bigger, and it’s worth paying attention to before you lock in.
Now, will every vendor you consider hit 100 points? Probably not. But there’s a reason McKinsey links healthy APIs with forward-thinking companies. Scoring a vendor from this angle helps you predict how smooth (or bumpy) things will be after the contracts are signed. The closer you get to that 100-point mark, the closer you’ll be to a five-star experience.