What is a webhook?
A webhook is an automatic HTTP request, usually a POST, that a third-party service sends to a URL on the merchant site when a specific event occurs, without any action from the user.
The most common use case
During a payment, the customer often leaves the site to complete the transaction on the payment gateway's page. Once payment is confirmed, the gateway sends a webhook to a dedicated URL on the merchant site to signal that the transaction succeeded. It's this webhook, not just the browser redirect, that reliably confirms the order, even if the customer closes their browser before returning to the site.
When things go wrong
If the webhook doesn't reach the site, for example because of an incorrect URL, a temporary outage or a blocking firewall, the notification never arrives. The order stays stuck at “pending” status in the back office, even though the payment was actually charged on the customer's side.
Frequently asked questions
Why does an order stay at “pending” when the customer has already paid?
Is a webhook the same thing as an API?
How can you check that a webhook is working correctly?
Describe your need in one minute
A few targeted questions so I can reply with an estimate rather than another questionnaire.