The Complete API Integration Guide: Adding Financing to Your Platform in 2 Weeks

Key Takeaways

• You can add embedded financing to your platform in as little as two weeks.
• APIs and SDKs make integration fast, secure, and customizable.
• Map your financing flow to your user journey for maximum conversion.
• Pre-fill customer data to reduce friction and boost application rates.
• Compliance and security are handled by your financing partner—focus on UX.
• Testing all edge cases is critical before going live.
• Embedded lending unlocks new revenue and differentiates your platform.

Introduction

Embedded lending is transforming how service platforms—from auto repair shop software to dental practice management systems—deliver value to their users.

By integrating financing directly into your platform, you empower your customers to offer instant, competitive loan options at the point of need.

This not only increases conversion rates and average transaction size but also unlocks new revenue streams for your business.

But for many developers, the idea of integrating lending can seem daunting. Compliance, lender integrations, user experience, and security all add complexity. The good news? With modern APIs and a partner like SimpleDirect, you can add robust, white-labeled financing to your platform in as little as two weeks.

This guide walks you through the entire process—from planning to go-live—with actionable steps, code samples, and a downloadable API integration checklist. Whether you’re a SaaS founder, a product manager, or a developer tasked with building embedded lending, this is your playbook.

Why Embedded Financing Matters for Platforms

Before we dive into the technical details, let’s clarify why embedded lending is a game-changer for platforms:

• Boosts conversion and transaction size: Customers are more likely to buy (and buy more) when affordable financing is available at checkout or booking.
• Unlocks new revenue streams: Earn referral fees or revenue share from financed transactions—without becoming a lender.
• Enhances user experience: Keep users in your platform with a seamless, branded financing flow.
• Differentiates your product: Stand out in crowded vertical SaaS markets by offering value-added financial services.

The 2-Week Integration Roadmap

Here’s how to go from zero to live embedded financing in just two weeks:

Week 1: Planning & Setup

1. Define Your Financing Use Case

• What are you financing? (e.g., auto repairs, dental treatments, home services)
• When should financing be offered? (at booking, checkout, or after a quote)
• Who are your end users? (consumers, patients, business owners)
• What data do you already collect? (name, contact, service details)

2. Choose Your Integration Method

• API: Full control, custom UI/UX, best for platforms with in-house dev teams.
• SDK/Widget: Fastest to market, pre-built UI, minimal code.
• Hybrid: Use API for backend, widget for frontend.

3. Get API Credentials

• Sign up with your financing partner (e.g., SimpleDirect).
• Obtain sandbox and production API keys.
• Review API documentation and sample requests.

4. Map the Financing Flow

• Entry point: Where does the user see financing? (e.g., “Pay with Financing” button)
• Application: How is the loan application presented? (modal, new page, embedded form)
• Offer display: How are loan offers shown? (list, comparison, pre-approval)
• Post-approval: How is the transaction completed? (confirmation, scheduling, payout)

5. Review Compliance & Security

• Ensure you’re not storing sensitive financial data.
• Use secure HTTPS endpoints.
• Display required disclosures and terms (provided by your partner).

Week 2: Build, Test, and Launch

6. Implement the API Integration

Below is a simplified example using a RESTful API (see full checklist at the end):

a. Initiate Financing Application (Sample Experience, Demo Only)

b. Redirect or Embed the Application Flow

• Use the response to redirect the user to a hosted application page, or
• Embed the application form in your UI using an iframe or SDK.

c. Poll for Application Status (Sample Experience, Demo Only)

d. Display Offers

• Parse the offers from the API response.
• Show loan terms, APR, monthly payment, and lender branding as required.

e. Handle Post-Approval

• On approval, trigger your platform’s next steps (e.g., schedule service, mark invoice as paid).
• Use webhooks to listen for status updates from the financing partner.

7. Test End-to-End

• Use sandbox/test mode for all API calls.
• Test all edge cases: declined applications, partial approvals, user abandonment.
• Validate compliance messaging and disclosures.

8. Go Live

• Switch to production API keys.
• Monitor logs and error rates.
• Train your support team on the new financing flow.

API Integration Checklist

Downloadable PDF version available here

Pre-Integration

• Define use case and user flow
• Choose API, SDK, or widget
• Obtain API credentials (sandbox & production)
• Review API documentation
• Map data fields (customer, transaction, service)

Development

• Implement application initiation endpoint
• Build or embed application UI
• Handle offer display and selection
• Integrate webhooks for status updates
• Secure all API calls (HTTPS, auth tokens)
• Display required disclosures

Testing

• Test all user flows (happy path, errors, declines)
• Validate data mapping and error handling
• Review compliance with partner

Go-Live

• Switch to production keys
• Monitor transactions and logs
• Train support team
• Collect user feedback

Code Samples: Common Scenarios

1. Pre-Filling Customer Data

If your platform already collects user info, pre-fill the financing application for a smoother experience:

(Sample Experience, Demo Only)

const applicationData = {
  customer: {
    first_name: user.firstName,
    last_name: user.lastName,
    email: user.email,
    phone: user.phone
  },
  amount: invoice.total,
  service_type: "dental"
};

2. Embedding the Application Widget

If using a widget/iframe:

(Sample Experience, Demo Only)

<iframe
  src="https://simpledirect.com/apply?amount=5000&service=auto_repair"
  width="100%"
  height="600"
  frameborder="0"
  allowfullscreen>
</iframe>

3. Handling Webhooks

Set up a webhook endpoint to receive status updates:

(Sample Experience, Demo Only)

from flask import Flask, request

app = Flask(__name__)

@app.route('/webhook/financing', methods=['POST'])
def financing_webhook():
    data = request.json
    if data['status'] == 'approved':
        # Mark invoice as paid, notify user, etc.
        pass
    return '', 200

Actionable Conclusion: Start Your Integration Today

Adding financing to your platform is no longer a multi-month, high-risk project. With SimpleDirect’s API and support, you can launch a seamless, branded financing experience in just two weeks—helping your customers close more deals and grow your platform’s revenue.

Ready to get started?

• Download the API Integration Checklist (PDF)
• Request your sandbox API keys from SimpleDirect
• Book a 30-minute technical consult with our integration team
• Access full API docs and code samples

Don’t let your competitors beat you to embedded lending.
Start your integration today and deliver the financing experience your users want—right inside your platform.

Need help or want a demo?
Contact our developer support team or request a live walkthrough.

Bookmark this guide and share it with your team.
With the right tools and a clear roadmap, embedded lending is within reach—no matter your platform’s size or complexity.