Webhook
Webhook is an automatic message one system sends to another web address when a specific event happens, such as an order being placed, shipped, or cancelled, so the receiver does not have to keep asking.
Why it matters for ecommerce brands
Webhooks let tracking numbers, order updates, and inventory changes move between systems within seconds. If a webhook fails without a retry or backup check, updates can be silently missed.
Common questions
- What is the difference between a webhook and an API?
- With an API call, one system asks another for data when it wants it. With a webhook, the sending system pushes a message automatically when an event happens, so the receiver gets updates without repeatedly checking.
Cite this entry
"Webhook." Fulfillment Lexicon, last reviewed October 16, 2026. https://fulfillment.wiki/glossary/webhook/