Integrating apps and external services into a website is a common necessity for modern businesses looking to enhance functionality, automate processes, or connect with other systems. Whether it’s adding a new feature, syncing data across platforms, or streamlining operations, these integrations play a crucial role in ensuring that your website can meet the complex needs of your business.
However, each integration comes with its own unique set of requirements, and understanding these early on is key to a smooth implementation. This process typically begins with a technical discovery phase, often involving a call with the vendor. During this initial phase, it’s essential to ask the right questions to uncover the specifics of the integration, from the method of implementation to design considerations and data migration needs.
In this post, we’ll explore the essential questions that should guide your technical discovery calls. These questions will help you clarify the integration method, assess any design implications, determine data migration needs, and understand configuration options. By addressing these areas upfront, you can better define the roles and responsibilities of each party involved, ensuring a successful and efficient integration process.
Guiding Questions for Technical Discovery Calls
Here are some questions that you can use to guide a technical discovery call:
- What integration method should be used?
- This may be an app that is installed, a JavaScript tag that is added to a page, a flat file data feed uploaded to an FTP server, a direct API integration, or any combination of conceivable integration methods. Usually, the vendor will be able to provide documentation on how to integrate with their service.
- Are there any new components or templates which require design consideration?
- Apps and services may add components to existing templates or create entirely new templates. If these components and templates need to match the aesthetic of the rest of the website, then design should be a consideration for each of these elements. It might be helpful to ask the vendor what styling options their app or service offers, as some solutions may offer only limited styling customization.
- Is there any data which must be migrated?
- Data migration is typically most relevant when switching vendors for an existing service. Usually, the vendor will be able to provide a data schema that is required in order for them to import the data. In some cases, the vendor may be willing to assist with data migration as part of their onboarding process.
- Are there any configuration options that should be changed?
- Aside from styling, apps and services often include configuration options which can change the behavior and functionality of the components which appear on your site. The vendor may recommend certain configurations in order to achieve parity with an existing implementation or in order to offer a better experience.
- What are the roles and responsibilities of each party?