Several factors must align for videoconferencing to function properly within your product and among your consumer base. For the duration of your product’s life cycle, your team is responsible for the multiple factors to consider when selecting a video conferencing API — especially when you use a typical, low-level interface, where your teammates construct the majority of the technology stack.

More freedom is provided by recent, feature-rich APIs. Several handle your solution’s comprehensive suite while also allowing customization without having to create anything. Hence, you need to be aware of what to check before selecting the right video-calling interface.

5 key elements to consider when selecting a video conferencing API for your business

Let’s go through some of the important elements to keep in mind when selecting a video-calling API for your business.

1. Check for browser configuration

Among the basic queries of how a business handles cross-platform problems is browser complexity. Every browser, as well as Android and iOS, uses videoconference technology in a unique manner. Ensuring that video calls function across every device counts as a huge challenge if your application supports multiple systems.

Whereas a full-featured video conferencing interface handles all browsers and system variations seamlessly, a limited-capacity API leaves the cross-platform responsibilities up to you. A protocol known as WebRTC, that enables people to participate in meetings throughout all browser types, as well as within your application, is the foundation around which video-calling APIs are constructed. 

With support from Apple, Google, and Microsoft, WebRTC is considered to be the live media future of technology. WebRTC is a sophisticated design at a lesser level even though it facilitates simple calling for users. Do note that the guidelines for streaming media content are brand-new. Hence, various platforms use WebRTC in multiple ways.

Your programmer needs to be familiar with how WebRTC is executed in all major web browsers in order to work effectively with it immediately or to construct a top-rated API. However, a fully functional API can take care of each of these browsers and system variations on your behalf.

For instance, each browser in fully-functional APIs contains a unique method for choosing the optimal visual/voice codecs, a unique set of quality standards for testing and debugging, and a unique method for managing the transmission of real-time multimedia during group video chats.

These variations are accentuated in cross-browser conversations. When you solely check on Firefox while employing a moderate API, you might not see any potential problems that customers of iOS could encounter. Additionally, you must verify several Android versions and iOS variants when you serve handheld apps.

2. Consider features for platform updates

Internet browsers and portable devices nowadays upgrade automatically. Users always receive new capabilities, which is fantastic. Also, it implies that modifications to the functionality of services like videoconferencing can occasionally affect app makers.

When you’re developing an application for machine learning (ML), which leverages video streaming, for instance, you presumably require visibility into the visual data at the pixel level. But there’s a lot more work involved in getting such low-level accessibility. 

When you’re initially creating your products, you must create extra coding. Then you need to keep updating your program and performing quality assurance.

3. Examine bandwidth management capabilities

It’s critical that the video conversations you create function on network topologies. For live video calls, a strong connection is necessary. Within your workplace, your staff undoubtedly has a strong network. A programmer may set up the initial web call utilizing WebRTC immediately, or via a moderate API. On a strong network, a testing session can perform admirably.

The situation in actual networks is the opposite. Using network bandwidth, video conference programmers tackle actual network concerns. To develop performance standards, they use statistics. Following that, they modify the live video feed during every videoconference based on browsers. It’s built by a programmer with the domain expertise to happen quickly but without hiccups on servers, devices, and internet connectivity.

This one is important because ineffective bandwidth control degrades the consumer experience. Inside a reduced API, such bandwidth management logic is often not included. Conventional voice conferencing APIs imply that your company is capable of performing that type of coding. Your calls already have bandwidth management thanks to your API’s functional design.

4. Inspect UX, UI, and layout design

Companies that utilize conventional conferencing APIs must design the user experience (UX) for the video chat. Previous APIs only provided a UI/UX kit at most. With a drop-in media widget from a full-featured API, your user interface (UI) already is handled. Furthermore, the most adaptable full-featured APIs enable UI customization through the use of conventional, designer-friendly javascript and CSS.

As an illustration, a standard video conferencing user interface offers an option in which a customer can choose a mic, such as a headphone or earbuds. But an advanced video conferencing API provides prebuilt user interfaces, such as a sleek webcam picker.

The UI element is produced by a versatile, feature-rich API. It’s been tried on multiple browsers and hardware. A front-end module can be used to alter how this element is displayed. Alternatively, you may create your custom replica of this element using the actions and notifications of the Interface.

You’ve to create the microphone selection functionality from scratch when using a lower-level API. This component needs to be tested by your staff on all devices and browsers which your consumers may be using.

Be mindful of browser updates. A higher-level API refreshes the UI components in addition to managing the UI code. One of the issues caused by Chrome’s default modifications, as discussed above, is the graphic presentation of mic input.

5. Confirm about HIPAA compliance

Complying with HIPAA entails many obligations. Organizations and programmers dealing with PHI (Protect Health Information) are required to abide by severe rules. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) monitors compliance.

An enterprise with development capabilities will find a low-level API appealing because it gives them complete control over the software. On the other hand, HIPAA compliance is your firm’s responsibility. Many popular low-level APIs choose not to sign a HIPAA Business Associate Agreement (BAA). Others will, only for clients with the highest ranks of upgrading.

Your team’s success should always be aided by an API

At every stage of the building process, it’s critical to understand the benefits and drawbacks of each API such as back-end builds, design work, front-end development, QA throughout platforms, continuous maintenance, and new designs. Only then, you’ll be able to pick the apt API for your business.