In today’s competitive eCommerce landscape, agility and rapid response to changes are crucial. Sellers increasingly expect supply chain software, along with other eCommerce systems, to operate in real-time. Webhooks for eCommerce offer a solution that brings the necessary flexibility and responsiveness to these systems. Let’s explore how eCommerce software can benefit from utilizing webhooks.
A webhook (also known as a web callback or HTTP push API) allows one app to send real-time data to another app when a predefined event occurs. Users can subscribe to specific events, such as order status updates, and receive notifications whenever the event happens, such as when an order’s status updates.
The core mechanism works as follows: you provide a URL where HTTP requests should be sent. Webhooks then transmit data, typically in JSON or XML format, which the receiving system must interpret. While the concept may seem straightforward, setting up a webhook involves a complex, multilevel process.
How Webhooks for eCommerce Work: A Simple Metaphor
One of the most fitting metaphors for webhooks appeared in the SendGrid blog. Imagine you're a baseball manager in the middle of a game. When you decide to change the pitcher, you call the bullpen where the other players are warming up and ask:
- Has he warmed up yet?
- Not yet.
This continues until you finally hear a "yes." Programmers call this process API polling, which consumes significant resources for both sides. In contrast, a webhook would notify you as soon as the pitcher is ready, eliminating the need for constant checking.
How Can Webhooks for eCommerce and APIs Benefit Your eCommerce System?
Many eCommerce systems rely on both webhooks and APIs to deliver the best user experience. While webhooks automatically notify you of changes in real-time, APIs offer controlled data access through requests. Instead of only using Webhooks for eCommerce or APIs, you can combine both for a powerful solution.
APIs handle request-based outputs, making them perfect for high-volume data flows and constant updates. Webhooks, on the other hand, are ideal for low-volume data flows and irregular updates. They send data in real-time whenever a predefined event occurs, without you needing to send multiple requests.
Why Use Both Webhooks and APIs?
If you need regular data retrieval, APIs are the best option. They allow you to request data at scheduled intervals, ensuring smooth system performance. However, when dealing with infrequent updates, webhooks save you from constantly polling the API. They push updates to your application only when necessary, reducing unnecessary API calls.
Instead of manually requesting data, a webhook automatically notifies your app when an event occurs. This ensures fresh, accurate data while saving resources. For example, by setting up a webhook to track product updates, your system will instantly receive notifications without needing to request the data constantly.
Example of a Webhook API Call with API2Cart
Here’s how to set up Webhooks.create method to get product updates via API2Cart:
{
"method": "webhook.create",
"webhook_url": "https://yourapp.com/webhook",
"event": "product.updated",
"status": "active"
}
This setup ensures your app is notified whenever a product is updated, streamlining your data flow and keeping everything current.
Conclusion
Webhooks for eCommerce are an invaluable tool for eCommerce software vendors, offering real-time data synchronization and improved system efficiency. They save resources by eliminating the need for constant API polling, ensuring that your software responds promptly to critical changes. By incorporating webhooks into your solution, you can provide your clients with a more agile, responsive, and scalable service.
Ready to enhance your eCommerce software with webhooks? Start a free trial today and experience the power of seamless integration with webhooks and other advanced features across multiple platforms.
FAQs
What are webhooks and how do they work in eCommerce?
Webhooks are real-time notifications that automatically send data from one system to another when a specific event occurs, such as an order update or product change. In eCommerce, webhooks eliminate the need for constant API polling by pushing updates instantly, which improves performance and ensures up-to-date data across systems.
How are webhooks different from traditional APIs?
APIs work on a request-based model, meaning your system must regularly ask for updates. Webhooks, on the other hand, automatically send data only when an event happens. As a result, webhooks reduce unnecessary API calls, lower server load, and provide faster reactions to critical changes in eCommerce workflows.
Why should eCommerce software use both webhooks and APIs?
Using both webhooks and APIs creates a balanced and efficient integration strategy. APIs are ideal for structured data retrieval and scheduled syncing, while webhooks handle real-time, event-driven updates. Together, they ensure accuracy, scalability, and optimal system performance for eCommerce software.
How does API2Cart simplify webhook implementation for eCommerce platforms?
API2Cart provides a unified webhook infrastructure that allows eCommerce software vendors to subscribe to events like product updates or order status changes across 60+ platforms. Instead of configuring webhooks separately for each platform, developers can manage all webhook events through a single API, reducing development time and maintenance overhead.
