The drive to provide value is at the core of everything we do; this has been the case since day one. That API Company started with The Cat API in 2013, a public API providing developers and students a free way to learn about how an API works and create fun projects with cat images. 11 years later, The Cat API continues to provide “Cats as a Service” to thousands of users each month. Initially, we tried using regular forums to help the growing users but struggled to get real traction. With the rise of Discord’s popularity (and the team’s increased use), we launched our own Discord server to capture the community, keep them engaged in the platform, and share photos of our favorite furry friends.
While Discord was conceived initially as a platform for gamers to connect and communicate, it has evolved into a versatile tool with a wide range of applications, particularly for companies. These virtual communities offer businesses like ours a dynamic and collaborative space to promote engagement, streamline communication, and create a fun community. That API Group Discord comprises developers, students, and other professionals from across the globe. The group’s primary function is to support the users of our Public APIs, which see thousands of signups each month, but like most platforms, it has evolved into so much more.
The most essential element of the group is the community it has developed. For developers, it is a virtual nexus where they can easily connect with their peers, sharing insights, experiences, and knowledge in real-time. This collaborative environment becomes an invaluable learning and skill development source as individuals tap into a vast network of like-minded professionals.
Additionally, That API Group Discord provides an ideal space for developers to showcase their projects and creations to an engaged audience. Whether it’s a demo of a new app, game, or software, the platform allows developers to receive feedback, gather constructive criticism, and refine their work with the input of the community.
Beyond being a space to help our API users troubleshoot and discuss our public APIs, the platform offers many other benefits to us as a company. The community allows us to test new product launches, where we can gather early feedback, identify bugs, and refine products before a wider release. When we need to expand the team, the community has also proven to be an excellent resource for finding new team members.
One of our group’s most exciting and interactive aspects revolves around the frequent contests we organize. In our latest competition, participants were challenged to harness the power of our GEO IP API to create something innovative and captivating. These creative endeavors get reviewed by a panel of in-house staff and previous comp contestants. This month’s Bonza prize winner received a well-deserved $300 prize, while second place earned a sweet $150 reward.
The top spot in this competition was claimed by the creator of a holiday calendar generated from user IPs, leveraging the capabilities of the GEO IP API. Meanwhile, the second-place accolade was earned by “Trip Planner,” a site designed to assist users in mapping out their journeys utilizing their IP location data, providing a range of transit options and estimated travel times based on their chosen mode of transportation.
We love to see users actively employ our APIs, and from a business perspective, this practice significantly contributes to our SEO efforts and overall product visibility. As an added benefit, every new GitHub repository generated also incorporates valuable backlinks, further enhancing our online presence and outreach.
We are excited to see this vibrant community’s ongoing growth and evolution and warmly invite anyone interested to become a part of it. It’s a collaborative and creative space with exciting ideas and fun creations.
