Webhook
A webhook is a mechanism for automatically transferring data between services when a specific event occurs.
Simply put:
an automatic real-time notification from one system to another
How a webhook works
When an event occurs:
- a new order
- user registration
- payment
- message
- status change
one system automatically sends data to another system via a URL.
Example
An online store receives a payment →
the payment service sends a webhook to the CRM →
the CRM automatically changes the order status to:
“Paid”
This is a webhook in action.
Where webhooks are used
- CRM
- online stores
- payment systems
- Telegram bots
- SaaS services
- marketing automation
- API integrations
Main task of a webhook
to transmit data automatically and instantly without manual actions.
How a webhook differs from an API request
API
The system requests data on its own:
“Are there any updates?”
Webhook
The system automatically reports:
“An update has occurred!”
How a webhook is structured
Typically includes:
- recipient URL
- trigger event
- HTTP POST request
- data in JSON format
Examples of events for a webhook
- new lead
- successful payment
- form submission
- order change
- user registration
- content publication
Advantages of webhooks
- real-time operation
- process automation
- reduced API load
- fast data exchange between services
Potential risks
- delivery errors
- security issues
- data loss due to incorrect configuration
- need to handle retries
Where webhooks are especially popular
- Stripe
- Telegram Bot API
- Bitrix24
- amoCRM
- GitHub
- Slack
- Zapier
Key takeaway
A webhook is a way to automatically transfer data between services when specific events occur. It is used for integrations, automation, and real-time information exchange.
