Should I CRUD straight to the database or use a WEB API? What is the best practice on doing this? THANKS!

I have an Admin side that has CRUD operations for the Customers. And the second is for the Latest News for the site. Should I use a Web api for this? And is it necessary or A straight CRUD to SqlServer sufficient? What is the best practice on doing this. THANKS. BTW, I'm using the SimpleMembership provided in the MVC4 Internet Template. How can the Created Customers have login credentials once created?