How to Structure a REST API the Professional Way

Your API Works. But Does It Slap? So you've been vibing. You prompted your way into a backend, Cursor autocompleted half the routes, and somehow the thing actually works. Respect. Genuinely. Most developers don't actually design REST APIs, they just return JSON and call it done. But professional API design is about more than making things work. It's about consistency , scalability , predictability , and developer experience . This guide walks through the 10 most common REST API mistakes and how to fix each one with real code examples. 1. Use Resource-Based URLs (No Verbs) Be honest. You have endpoints that look like this: GET /getUsers POST /createUser PUT /updateUser/4 DELETE /deleteUser/5 It feels natural! It reads like English! It is also wrong. REST is about resources , not actions. Your HTTP method already defines the action, so don't repeat it in the URL. ❌ Wrong GET /getUsers POST /createUser DELETE /deleteUser/5 ✅ Correct GET /users POST /users DELETE /users/5 The HTTP method t