Airalo Developer Platform
  1. Notification
Airalo Developer Platform
  • OVERVIEW
    • Introduction
    • Attribute descriptions
    • FAQ
    • Quick start
      • Step 1: Request access token
      • Step 2: Get packages
      • Step 3: Submit order
      • Step 4: Get installation instructions
    • User journeys
      • Purchase journey
      • Top-up journey
    • Guides
      • How to set up a brand for eSIMs Cloud link sharing
      • How to get the eSIMs Cloud sharing link through API
      • How to generate the QR code for an eSIM
      • eSIM installation methods for API Partners
  • REST API
    • Introduction
    • Rate limits
    • Error handling
    • Endpoints
      • Orders List
        • Get order list
        • Get order
      • Top-up flow
        • Get eSIMs list
        • Get top-up package list
        • Get eSIM package history
      • Notification
        • Understanding Webhooks: Asynchronous Communication for Modern Applications
        • Airalo Webhooks Optin and Flow
        • Async orders
          POST
        • Low data notification - opt In
          POST
        • Low data notification - opt out
          POST
        • Get low data notification
          GET
        • Credit limit notification
          POST
        • Webhook definition
          POST
        • Webhook simulator
          POST
      • Balance
        • Get balance
      • Request access token
        POST
      • Get packages
        GET
      • Get compatible device list
        GET
      • Future Orders
        POST
      • eSIM voucher
        POST
      • Get eSIM
        GET
      • Cancel future orders
        POST
      • Submit order
        POST
      • Refund Request
        POST
      • Get installation instructions
        GET
      • Submit order async
        POST
      • Get usage (data, text & voice)
        GET
      • Submit top-up order
        POST
      • Update eSIM brand
        PUT
    • Guides
      • Step #1 - Authentication
    • Deprecated
      • Authentication
        • Request Access Token
      • Orders
        • Get Order List
        • Get Order
        • Submit Order
        • Submit Top-up Order
      • eSIMs
        • Get eSIMs List
        • Get eSIM
        • Get Installation instructions
        • Get Data Usage
        • Get Top-up Package List
        • Get eSIM Package History
      • Order Statuses
        • Get Order Statuses List
        • Get Order Status Name
      • Packages
        • Get Packages
      • Compatible Devices
        • Get Compatible Device List
      • Notification
        • Low Data Notification
        • Credit Limit Notification
        • Webhook Definition
        • Webhook Simulator
  • SDKs
    • Introduction
    • SDK vs. REST API
    • Technical notes
  • WOOCOMMERCE PLUGIN
    • Introduction
    • Guides
      • How to install the plugin
      • How to setup the Shop price?
      • Customizing "My eSIM" page colors in WooCommerce
      • How to convert prices into local currency
      • How to finalize the shop setup
      • How to test in sandbox
      • How to go live
      • Customizing WooCommerce email templates for eSIM sales
    • Troubleshooting
  • SHOPIFY APP
    • Introduction
    • Guides
      • How to install the Airalo Shopify App
      • How to set up prices in Shopify
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Understanding Webhooks: Asynchronous Communication for Modern Applications

What Are Webhooks?#

Webhooks are automated messages sent from one application to another in response to specific events. Unlike traditional APIs where you need to regularly request information ("polling"), webhooks deliver data to you the moment something happens. They're essentially user-defined HTTP callbacks - a way for an app to provide other applications with real-time information.
Think of webhooks as a "phone call" rather than "checking your mailbox" - instead of repeatedly asking if anything new has happened, you get notified immediately when it does.

How Webhooks Work#

The basic webhook flow follows these steps:
1.
Registration: A receiving application provides a URL (webhook endpoint) to the sending application
2.
Verification: The sending application validates that the URL is accessible and properly configured
3.
Event Detection: When a relevant event occurs in the sending application
4.
Notification: The sending application sends an HTTP POST request with event data to the registered URL
5.
Processing: The receiving application processes the data and responds with a success status

Why Use Webhooks?#

Efficiency and Real-Time Updates#

Webhooks eliminate the need for constant polling, which saves resources and reduces latency. Instead of checking every few minutes whether something has changed, you receive updates instantaneously when they occur.

Automation and Integration#

Webhooks enable seamless integration between different systems, allowing them to communicate and react to events without human intervention. This is particularly valuable for:
Payment processing notifications
Subscription status changes
Inventory updates
User activity tracking
Content changes
Security alerts

Scalability#

As applications grow, the efficiency benefits of webhooks become even more significant:
Reduced server load: The sending application only needs to make HTTP requests when actual events occur
Less network traffic: No need for frequent polling requests that return "no changes"
Better user experience: End users see updates faster without manual refreshing

Common Use Cases#

Webhooks are widely used across many industries and applications:
1.
E-commerce: Order confirmations, shipping updates, inventory changes
2.
Payment Processing: Transaction confirmations, subscription renewals, failed payment alerts
3.
CRM Systems: New lead notifications, status updates, customer activity
4.
IoT Devices: Sensor data transmissions, status changes, alerts
5.
Development Tools: Deployment notifications, build status updates, code repository changes

Implementing Webhooks Effectively#

To create a robust webhook system, consider these best practices:
1.
Verification: Always verify webhook endpoints are valid before saving
2.
Retry Logic: Implement a retry mechanism for failed deliveries
3.
Security: Use HTTPS, implement authentication methods, and validate webhook sources
4.
Idempotency: Ensure multiple deliveries of the same webhook don't cause duplicate processing
5.
Monitoring: Track webhook delivery success rates and response times

Challenges and Solutions#

Despite their benefits, webhooks come with challenges:
Reliability: Network issues can cause missed webhooks (solution: implement retry logic)
Security: Webhook endpoints can be vulnerable to attacks (solution: validate sources and use authentication)
Debugging: Webhook issues can be difficult to troubleshoot (solution: comprehensive logging and monitoring)
Overloading: Too many webhooks can overwhelm receiving systems (solution: rate limiting and queuing)

Conclusion#

Webhooks represent a powerful paradigm shift from request-response communication to event-driven architecture. By enabling real-time data exchange between applications, they create more responsive, efficient, and integrated systems that can automatically react to events as they happen.
For modern applications that need to stay synchronized with external systems, webhooks provide an elegant solution that reduces latency, saves resources, and creates a better experience for end users.
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