What does it mean to be API-first?

The concept of being API-first involves designing products with APIs as the primary focus rather than as an afterthought, which is explored in depth in the Tyk podcast "All About APIs." James Higginbotham, a consultant specializing in API strategies, discusses the importance of tailoring an API-first strategy based on the business's nature and size, emphasizing that large enterprises should start with strategic goals while startups should focus on market understanding and user personas. He highlights the necessity for an API strategy to clearly define goals, outcomes, and the audience it serves to avoid unnecessary development and ensure the creation of valuable APIs. The podcast also touches on the growing trend of treating APIs as integral components of business operations and the potential of asynchronous APIs to unlock new opportunities, encouraging listeners to engage with the API-first approach through the podcast and Tyk's resource hub.