Based on the search results and best practices for REST APIs, here are the advantages of using a separate endpoint for sending welcome emails:
1. Separation of concerns: Having a dedicated endpoint for sending welcome emails keeps the user creation process separate from email sending. This adheres to the single responsibility principle and makes the API more modular[1].
2. Flexibility and control: A separate endpoint allows you to have more control over when and how the welcome email is sent. You can trigger it at the most appropriate time in your user onboarding flow[1].
3. Reduced complexity in the main user creation endpoint: By moving the email sending logic to a separate endpoint, you simplify the main user creation process, making it easier to maintain and debug[1].
4. Improved error handling: If there's an issue with sending the email, it won't affect the user creation process. You can handle email-related errors separately without impacting the core user registration functionality[1].
5. Better performance: Sending emails can be time-consuming. By separating it into its own endpoint, you can process the email asynchronously, leading to faster response times for the main user creation endpoint[1].
6. Reusability: A separate email sending endpoint can potentially be reused for other types of emails, not just welcome emails, making your API more versatile.
7. Easier testing and maintenance: With a separate endpoint, it's easier to test and maintain the email sending functionality independently of user creation.
8. Compliance with REST principles: Having a dedicated endpoint for a specific action (sending welcome emails) aligns well with REST API design principles, making your API more intuitive and easier to use.
While there are some potential drawbacks, such as the need for an additional API call and the possibility of the email not being sent if the second call fails, the benefits of separation and flexibility often outweigh these concerns for many applications.
Citations:[1] https://stackoverflow.com/questions/46651471/rest-api-welcome-email-best-practice
[2] https://www.getvero.com/resources/welcome-emails/
[3] https://blog.emailoctopus.com/benefits-of-welcome-emails-why-and-where-you-should-be-using-them/
[4] https://cybersecurity.att.com/blogs/security-essentials/dis-advantages-of-having-your-domain-email-and-website-on-separate-providers
[5] https://www.aztekweb.com/blog/post/tips-for-writing-an-engaging-welcome-email-to-new-subscribers/