Developer Portal in Azure API Management

Azure API Management (APIM) is a powerful tool that helps you create, manage, and publish APIs. One of its key features is the Developer Portal, which serves as the face of your API for developers. It’s where developers can discover, test, and integrate your APIs into their applications.

The Developer Portal is fully customizable, allowing you to tailor it to your brand and specific needs. In this guide, we’ll explain how to access and customize the Developer Portal in Azure APIM in simple, easy-to-understand terms.

What is the Developer Portal?

The Developer Portal is a website that comes with Azure APIM. It provides a user-friendly interface for developers to:

1. Discover APIs: Browse and learn about the APIs you’ve published.
2. Test APIs: Try out API endpoints directly from the portal.
3. Get Documentation: Access detailed documentation for each API.
4. Manage Subscriptions: Obtain API keys and manage usage.

By default, the Developer Portal is automatically generated based on the APIs you publish in APIM. However, you can customize it to match your brand and provide a better experience for developers.

How to Access the Developer Portal

Accessing the Developer Portal is straightforward. Here’s how:

1. Log in to Azure Portal:
   • Go to the Azure portal and sign in with your account.
2. Navigate to Your APIM Instance:
   • In the left-hand menu, click on API Management services.
   • Select your APIM instance.
3. Open the Developer Portal:
   • In the APIM overview page, click on Developer portal in the top menu.
   • This will open the Developer Portal in a new tab.

By default, the Developer Portal is publicly accessible. However, you can restrict access if needed (e.g., for internal APIs).

Customizing the Developer Portal

The Developer Portal is highly customizable. You can change its look and feel, add custom content, and even modify its functionality. Here’s how to get started:

Step 1: Access the Portal’s Admin Interface

1. Open the Developer Portal (as explained above).
2. Log in as an Administrator:
   • Click on the Sign in button in the top-right corner.
   • Use your Azure APIM administrator credentials to log in.
3. Enter the Admin Interface:
   • Once logged in, click on the Settings (gear icon) in the top menu.
   • Select Administration to access the customization tools.

Step 2: Customize the Look and Feel

The Developer Portal uses themes and widgets to control its appearance. Here’s how to customize it:

1. Change the Theme:
   • In the Admin interface, go to Themes.
   • Choose a pre-built theme or create a custom one.
   • Modify colors, fonts, and styles to match your brand.
2. Add Your Logo:
   • Go to Media and upload your logo.
   • Update the header or footer to display your logo.
3. Customize Pages:
   • Use the Pages section to edit existing pages or create new ones.
   • Drag and drop widgets (e.g., text, images, API lists) to design your pages.

Step 3: Add Custom Content

You can add custom content to the Developer Portal to provide additional information or instructions for developers. Here’s how:

1. Create a New Page:
   • In the Admin interface, go to Pages.
   • Click + Add Page and give it a name (e.g., “Getting Started”).
   • Use the editor to add text, images, videos, or links.
2. Add API Documentation:
   • Go to the APIs section in the Admin interface.
   • Select an API and update its description, examples, and other details.
3. Include FAQs or Support Information:
   • Create a page for FAQs or support contact details.
   • Add links to this page in the portal’s navigation menu.

Step 4: Modify Functionality (Advanced)

If you’re comfortable with coding, you can further customize the Developer Portal by editing its source code. Here’s how:

1. Download the Source Code:
   • In the Admin interface, go to Advanced customization.
   • Click Download to get the portal’s source code.
2. Make Changes:
   • Use a code editor to modify the HTML, CSS, or JavaScript files.
   • Add custom logic or integrations as needed.
3. Upload the Changes:
   • After making changes, go back to Advanced customization.
   • Click Upload to apply your customizations.

Step 5: Publish Your Changes

Once you’re happy with your customizations, publish the portal to make it live:

1. Click Publish:
   • In the Admin interface, click the Publish button in the top-right corner.
2. Confirm the Changes:
   • Review the changes and confirm to publish them.
3. Check the Live Portal:
   • Open the Developer Portal in a new tab to see your changes in action.

Best Practices for Customizing the Developer Portal

Here are some tips to make the most of your Developer Portal:

1. Keep It Simple:
   • Avoid cluttering the portal with too much information.
   • Focus on making it easy for developers to find and use your APIs.
2. Match Your Brand:
   • Use your brand’s colors, fonts, and logo to create a consistent experience.
3. Provide Clear Documentation:
   • Include detailed API documentation with examples and use cases.
4. Add Interactive Features:
   • Use widgets like API test consoles to let developers try out your APIs directly.
5. Test on Different Devices:
   • Ensure the portal looks and works well on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.

Common Customization Scenarios

Here are some examples of how you might customize the Developer Portal:

Scenario 1: Branding the Portal

• Add your company logo and branding colors.
• Update the footer with links to your website, privacy policy, and terms of service.

Scenario 2: Adding a Getting Started Guide

• Create a new page with step-by-step instructions for using your APIs.
• Include code samples and links to SDKs.

Scenario 3: Integrating a Support System

• Add a widget to connect the portal to your support ticketing system.
• Include a live chat feature for real-time assistance.

Scenario 4: Showcasing API Use Cases

• Create a page with examples of how your APIs can be used.
• Include case studies or testimonials from existing users.