How to Pull API Data in to my WordPress Page?

  • Hi All,

    I am looking to create a page in my WordPress that will retrieve a major airport’s active list of flights (by using their API) and display it on my page.

    I will assume a few things here ( and I could be wrong):

    – I will use WP REST Feature

    – I will need to edit the functions.php file (unless I use a plugin but I’ve been told try to avoid a plugin if it’s going to be a bigger site (It plans to be)

    I Might Use a Custom Post Type?

    I could display the results using a shortcode (not sure if that’s preferable)

    I am not a coder or programmer…more of a online marketing guy who knows some HTML. So
    I may not understand some things and ask a lot of questions.

    Any help to get me started would be appreciated.

    Thank you sincerely in advance,

    Ken

    NOTE 2: I plan to get a developer to help build out and entire site with this setup (airline flights too) but I want to learn the essentials first…so it (hopefully) gives me understanding in working with them.

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

  • Not sure why you would be told to avoid using a plugin.
    Yes, develop a plugin that connects to the endpoint provided by the airport.
    Hopefully the documentation on their api is strong, see here as a good example:
    https://aviationstack.com/documentation

    Not sure why you would want to use WordPress for this, but develop a plugin, and output using this combination of Post Type and Advanced Custom fields:
    https://en-ca.www.ads-software.com/plugins/custom-post-type-ui/
    https://en-ca.www.ads-software.com/plugins/advanced-custom-fields/

    Lastly, you have not described any functional user requirements. You’ll get better support by describing what you are trying to accommplish, what’s the goal.

    Thread Starter racerman28

    (@racerman28)

    Hi Corrina,

    Thanks for your reply.

    On the plugin…not sure why either. I’m new to this. I was told it was ‘risky’ for a big site. There is a plugin called WPGetAPI but haven’t looked at it.

    Actually, I’m considering (or was) Aviation Stack as the data provider but I cannot get them to reply to my pre-sales inquiries. I’m looking at FlightStats as well.

    I was thinking WordPress because of SEO…these will NOT be fully dynamic pages…and we have certain goals that we can achieve by the pages also having unique content on them.

    Do you have any suggestions other than WordPress?

    End user will be just for information: Airport/flight info, flight tracking etc… is that what you mean?

    Thanks

    Ken

    re: requirements, “what do you expect your website visitor to do”? Just look at flight status data? You don’t want them to book flights, or search flights, or do something like “Hey website, show me all planes currently in the air that are an AirBus 707”.

    The plugin link you provided looks fine, I’ve never used it.
    https://wpgetapi.com/docs/quick-start-guide/

    I guess there is no particular reason to not use WordPress. It would really depend on where the developers skills lie. If you were to put this out to an rfp, then I would avoid identifying a particular technology – and just describe your business requirements and let the developer decide on the method of approach.

    Thread Starter racerman28

    (@racerman28)

    I looked at some other platforms…but for what we want to do…Wordpress made the most sense. I was concerned it might not handle a robust build…but that appears not to be the case so far.

    Yes, just look at flight data and there will be a form where they can do a lookup…I didn’t mention that.

    Flight booking engine comes later actually.

    Yes, WordPress won’t have any issue with this.
    Sounds like you’re good to go.

    Thread Starter racerman28

    (@racerman28)

    Hi Corrina,

    The few items I mentioned in my original post (WP REST API, shortcode to display data)…am I on the right track that I will be using these?

    Also…if I develop a plugin, I wouldn’t have to mess with the functions.php?

    Thanks. ??

    Ken

    Hi @racerman28 –

    Typically, it’s not an issue building a function to display data using a shortcode.
    https://pagely.com/blog/creating-custom-shortcodes/

    Yes, you’ll edit the functions file.
    That’s why it’s there. So you can add actions and hooks.
    https://docs.presscustomizr.com/article/26-wordpress-actions-filters-and-hooks-a-guide-for-non-developers

    Thread Starter racerman28

    (@racerman28)

    I’ll take a look at this.

    Thanks Corrina!

    Ken

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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