Developing Websites Using the Yacht World API

An API or “Application Programming Interface” is an interface that defines interactions between software. It provides a data format and instructions for the kinds of requests or “calls” that can be made to the data. In some case APIs are the only efficient way to gain access to data that is controlled by a single organization. Boats are one such example.

The YachtWorld API provides a consistent standard by which boat data can be shared across websites.

If you are a Yacht Broker, anywhere in the World, and would like your listings to be accessible to a wide audience, your boat must be listed on YachtWorld. While there are competitors moving into this market, much to the chagrin of brokers, YachtWorld remains the industry standard. The costs of using the service reflect this monopoly position.

YachtWorld is owned by a company called Boats Group, which is a global corporation offering wide a variety of marine industry products, including the YachtWorld listings database and API.

YachtWorld provides exposure for listings on their own website YachtWorld.com, and offers boat brokers a framing solution to display the listing on their website. A framed webpage displays one webpage inside another, and is a clunky and poorly optimized solution for displaying boat inventory – providing a poor user experience.

A far more powerful and effective way to display YatchWorld boat listings is by including the data directly on the website using the API. A well-designed website using the API will provide a better user experience for prospects. An API integration has other benefits that can improve efficiency and boost sales.

Aside from the convenience of entering data into one listings system, there are enormous advantages to including the data directly on your website using the YachtWorld API. Website owners can have total control of the look, feel and filtering of boat records.

Using an API, web developers can take the data from YachtWorld and put into their own database. The data can then be queried and displayed on the website in the graphic and organizational format that best suits the brokerage’s website and its way of listing and selling boats. If done properly, each time a new boat is added, edited or removed from YachtWorld, the changes will be reflected on websites using the A

Once the data is fully integrated to a yacht broker’s website it generates listings pages that enhance search engine optimization (SEO). The pages reside on the website owner’s domain, and thus can build search visibility for certain listings or categories of listings – greatly enhancing SEO.

The fields that are included in a listings record for YachtWorld are fairly extensive. They offer all standard specs that Yacht owners are looking for, plus additional fields that allow brokers to add a high level of detail. However, should brokers require additional content fields, the system cannot be customized.

By using the API and having the data directly integrated to a website, web developers can enhance boat listings by adding additional fields for more images, videos or other media that brokers may want to use to promote their listings.

While the costs associated with using the API and then having expert web developers build a listings system on a website are far greater than simply linking to YachtWorld, the benefits are worth the investment. A website developed using the YachtWorld API has the potential to build search visibility, brand recognition and the yacht broker’s bottom line.

Using the YachtWorld API website owners benefit in the following ways:

• Single entry point for boat data.
• Total control over the display of boat data.
• Enhanced SEO by having the data integrated directly to the website.
• Ability to extend and enhance boast listings through customer fields and features.

For more information visit these YachtWorld API web development specialists.