# What is an API Product?

***

On API.market, to sell an API it needs to be packaged as a **Product**.

A Product is how customers discover, understand, and subscribe to your APIs. Think of it as the storefront listing for your API.

### :dart: Core Concept

A Product is composed of:

* **API Source** - The actual API endpoint specification
* **One or more Pricing Plans** - Subscription tiers for customers

### :package: Product Components

#### API Source

The API Source is the OpenAPI specification that connects your APIs to API.market. API.market acts as an API gateway and makes your API available via a unified API Gateway.

{% hint style="info" %}
:bulb: **How it works:** API.market makes it extremely easy for API developers to discover and integrate your API with a unified API platform. Your API is proxied through API.market, which handles authentication, billing, analytics, and more.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://979396929-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FJpzXHBiEL3zWqYljGVxS%2Fuploads%2FwBcf9RYHXK6sxxyZdk7G%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=0057a517-ed98-40de-838e-efb2f9bc2eb2" alt=""><figcaption><p>How API.market works?</p></figcaption></figure>

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#### Product Structure

Each API Product must have:

:white\_check\_mark: **One API Source** - The OpenAPI specification\
:white\_check\_mark: **One or more Pricing Plans** - Subscription options for customers

:point\_right: **Learn more:** [What is a Pricing Plan](https://docs.api.market/seller-docs/what-is-a-pricing-plan)

### :arrows\_counterclockwise: How Products Work

#### Subscription Model

A user can subscribe to **only one Pricing Plan** from a given Product. Users can upgrade or downgrade between Pricing Plans within the same product.

**Example Pricing Plans:**

* **Free** - $0/month
* **Pro** - $9/month
* **Ultra** - $49/month
* **Mega** - $199/month

{% hint style="warning" %}
:warning: **Important:** Users can only subscribe to one plan at a time, but they can upgrade or downgrade between plans as needed.
{% endhint %}

#### Public vs Private Products

API Sellers can use **private products** to offer custom pricing plans to specific users or organizations.

**Use cases for private products:**

* Enterprise customers with custom pricing
* Special promotional offers
* Beta testing programs
* Partner integrations

### :gear: Product Settings

You can edit all Product settings on the **Product Settings** page in your organization dashboard.

**Key settings include:**

* Product title and descriptions
* API Source configuration
* Pricing Plans management
* Product categories
* Documentation and examples
* Status (Draft/Published)

**Example of Product Setting Page**<br>

<figure><img src="https://979396929-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FJpzXHBiEL3zWqYljGVxS%2Fuploads%2FKj6Gh93kdGYZpRH7WVdP%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=72951897-82e5-4cf3-8a62-2526ec164980" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Product Categories

Each Product can have a **maximum of three categories**. These categories are used to list your product on api.market.

{% hint style="success" %}
:white\_check\_mark: **Don't forget:** Click **Published** when you're done setting up your product to make it live on the marketplace!
{% endhint %}

**Category selection tips:**

* Choose categories that best describe your API's functionality
* Use specific categories to help customers find your API
* Categories help with search and discovery on API.market

<figure><img src="https://979396929-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FJpzXHBiEL3zWqYljGVxS%2Fuploads%2Fg3xdWuCKp6aDv7SN2FS8%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=623d6e72-bcdd-45c2-9863-7be871b7fa7d" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### :rocket: Next Steps

Now that you understand what an API Product is:

1. :point\_right: Import Your API Source - Connect your API
2. :point\_right: Create a Product using the Wizard - Build your product
3. :point\_right: What is a Pricing Plan - Set up pricing
4. :point\_right: Test Your APIs & Products - Verify everything works