In modern web development, webhooks are automated messages sent from one application to another when a specific event occurs. Think of them as real-time notifications that allow different systems to communicate instantly without constant polling.

Unlike traditional APIs where you need to repeatedly ask for data, a webhook is a push mechanism. You configure a URL in your application (the receiver), and another service (the sender) sends an HTTP POST request to that URL with relevant data whenever the event happens.

Common webhook uses include:

• Payment notifications from services like Stripe
• Git repository updates triggering deployment
• Form submissions sending data to other tools
• Chat applications receiving message alerts

To implement a webhook, you typically need to:

1. Provide a public HTTPS endpoint in your application
2. Register this URL in the sending service's settings
3. Handle the incoming POST request and verify its authenticity
4. Process the JSON or XML payload and take appropriate action

Key advantages include immediate updates and reduced server load, since you're not constantly checking for changes. However, you must ensure proper security measures like signature verification and SSL encryption.

For hosting customers, webhooks enable seamless integration between your website and external services, automating workflows and keeping data synchronized across platforms without manual intervention.