Why are webhooks important?

Use cases

Marketplace Managers can use the marketplace user interface or APIs to configure webhooks for desired events. For example, you can receive notifications when users are created, when products are modified, when subscriptions are canceled, and so on. The AppDirect platform sends notifications by HTTP POST request, and the notifications themselves are in JSON format.

You can use webhooks to integrate AppDirect system events with external systems. For example, if you are using an external customer relationship management (CRM) system to track sales, you can use webhooks to receive notifications about product orders or subscriptions, and then send that information to the CRM in whatever way you want. Similarly, you could transmit relevant information to enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, billing systems, back ends, and so on.

Benefits

Webhooks are important and useful for several reasons:

• Real-time notifications: Webhooks allow for real-time communication between AppDirect and other systems. Instead of periodically checking for updates or polling for data, applications can receive immediate notifications when specific events occur in the platform. This enables improved response times and real-time data synchronization.

• Automation and integration: Webhooks facilitate the automation of various processes in a marketplace and the integration of third-party systems. Seamless information exchange between the systems help streamline workflows and increase overall productivity.

• Optimal resource consumption: Compared to traditional polling methods, webhooks reduce unnecessary resource consumption. With polling, applications frequently query an endpoint to check for updates, even if there are no new events. Webhooks send data only when an event occurs, minimizing unnecessary network traffic and server load.

• Scalability and flexibility: Webhooks provide a scalable solution for handling events and updates across distributed systems. They allow applications to subscribe to specific events of interest, ensuring that relevant data is delivered to the intended recipients. This flexibility enables systems to adapt and scale according to changing requirements.

• Customization: Webhooks enable developers to define custom workflows in an AppDirect marketplace. When an event occurs, the receiving application can process the data, trigger further actions, or update relevant records as needed. You can use AppDirect webhooks to extend standard functionality and build a personalized marketplace experience.