With the development of no-code tools like Zapier, Make (Integromat), and Automate.io, we're hearing more and more about webhooks. But what exactly is a webhook, what is it used for, and how can you utilize it?
What is a webhook?
An increasing number of businesses, from startups to large corporations, are using webhooks to automate their processes and tools.
Let's illustrate webhooks with a concrete example. You have a blog on your website and offer your visitors the option to subscribe to your newsletter. Once they subscribe to your newsletter, here's what happens:
- Without a webhook: you manually add the contact to your CRM and send out your newsletter each month.
- With a webhook: the contact is automatically entered into your CRM and receives their newsletter every month without any action on your part. It’s not magic; it’s a webhook!
Webhooks allow you to connect all your tools and applications in real-time. They can communicate with one another based on parameters you define and actions that are executed.
How does a webhook work?
There are two methods for communication between applications.
Some automation tools like Zapier and Integromat first offer the “Polling” method. This involves checking at regular intervals (e.g., every 10 minutes) to see if anything new has happened in an application. The downside of this method is that it isn't instantaneous, and in some cases, you may need to execute an action immediately following an event.
This is where webhooks come into play, facilitating instant communication between your web applications. A webhook uses HTTP callbacks. Unlike polling, the webhook does not go out to fetch information; it receives it directly. Through HTTP POST requests, webhooks receive a variety of information in real-time, contained in a URL starting with http:// or https://. These URLs may or may not include additional information in JSON or XML format that the webhook can then utilize. You can easily connect your webhooks to the APIs of your preferred software.
Let’s summarize what happens when using a webhook:
- Step 1: An HTTP request is sent to a URL.
Translation → a sender transmits information such as the email address of the new subscriber to your blog.
- Step 2: The webhook executes an HTTP callback to the specified URL.
Translation → the webhook intercepts the email address of the new subscriber.
- Step 3: The webhook processes the JSON or XML data for later use.
Translation → you can reuse the email address by adding it to your database and your newsletter send list.
Why use webhooks for your website?
A way to automate your website
As you can see, a webhook is essentially a way for applications—whether no-code or not—to communicate. It allows you to automate your website by linking it to all your no-code tools. Your web forms, blog, online videos, and e-commerce articles—all parts of your site can communicate with your no-code tools through webhooks. Whether you have a showcase site or an e-commerce platform, webhooks can enhance your website’s performance.
Webhooks to improve user experience
Webhooks communicate in real-time, which means there will be no waiting time for a visitor requesting information. By performing actions on your website, users will unknowingly trigger these webhooks to obtain various pieces of information or simply initiate other actions from the site.
Examples of webhooks for your website
Here are some useful webhook examples for your website.
- Newsletter sign-up → Webhook 🤖→ added to a mailing list.
- Contact from your web form → Webhook 🤖→ sending a confirmation email.
- Participation in an online survey → Webhook 🤖→ automatic sending of responses.
- New application for a job posting → Webhook 🤖→ receiving candidate data in your CRM.
- Purchase of an item online → Webhook 🤖→ sending a payment confirmation email.
- Purchase of an item online → Webhook 🤖→ triggering my logistics chain.
Using a Webhook with Zapier or Integromat?
Does your application or no-code tool lack integration in Zapier or Integromat? No problem; you can still connect it to these no-code automation tools using webhooks! Both tools are labeled "no-code" and are therefore very user-friendly. If webhooks seem complex and require knowledge of the HTTP language, Zapier and Integromat simplify the process. No development skills are required; you only need to use the pre-configured modules to connect your applications to the webhook.
Zapier Webhook
Zapier is a no-code automation tool that offers a “webhook” module. Use this module as a trigger, and then add all the no-code applications with which you want to communicate. This way, you can transmit a large amount of information and initiate a sequence of actions.
Integromat Webhook
Just like Zapier, Integromat allows you to automate your website using webhooks. You can easily add a webhook to any of your workflows to communicate with all your no-code tools.
