I am developing a WordPress plugin that needs to retrieve an Affiliate ID from an outside website – a website based upon this API.
The idea is this:
1) Refer the user to the website and have them sign up as affiliate.
2) User returns to the WordPress CMS and enters their Affiliate ID
3) Somehow I would like to verify the correct/incorrect Affiliate ID after saving user input.
So my question is 2 parts:
a. How do I accomplish validation of a user’s affiliate ID?,
b. Do I need to load the API inside of my WordPress plugin, or do I communicate with the API through the outside server?
Regarding b):
You need to make the calls within your WordPress plugin. I got the feeling that you’re missing some basics. Please have a look at this article about HTTP & REST.
Basically you only have to make a POST request and the API returns you what ever you want.