Shopify has become the go-to platform for eCommerce businesses that want to provide customers with fast online storefronts that are easy to navigate. While there are numerous eCommerce development platforms that companies can use, Shopify offers advanced functionality and a suite of features that other options don’t have.

The main benefit of designing a website with Shopify is that the platform is designed to be as user-friendly as possible. You can create and manage an online store even if you don’t have ample coding skills and knowledge. Shopify is also secure, customizable, and mobile-friendly.

When a customer uses your storefront, many systems need to communicate with one another to ensure that the experience occurs without issue. If the customer buys a product or signs up for an account, anything that delays their intention could cause them to leave your storefront altogether.

You can effectively integrate everything from payment systems to customer relationship management (CRM) software into your Shopify website by using webhooks. Once these systems are fully integrated, they can take action and share data whenever they are triggered by the user.

Webhooks use secure, automated messages that provide real-time notifications and event-driven actions. If you’re wondering “Does the Shopify Basic plan have access to a webhook”, this functionality is available to all users no matter the plan they’re on. You can create a fully functional website without spending a considerable amount of your budget. The following takes a closer look at webhooks and what they mean for your Shopify project.

Understanding Webhooks and Their Role in Shopify Development

Webhooks are designed to be used for obtaining and storing data associated with a specific event. With this tool, you can register an “https” URL, which is where the data from the event can be stored in the XML or JSON format. While webhooks are available for many store events, they are most commonly used for the following actions:

• Changing the price of a product
• Placing an order
• Obtaining data to be used for data warehousing applications
• Notifying an IM client or pager when you’re offline
• Integrating accounting software with your Shopify storefront
• Accessing your database to remove customer data when they decide to uninstall your app
• Filtering order items
• Informing shippers that an order has occurred

When they are implemented correctly, webhooks allow external systems to receive notifications about the store event listed above. Webhooks have become increasingly popular among Shopify users because they minimize API calls, reduce system load, and improve app efficiency. If you’re looking for ways to automate simple processes and integrate your site features with external services, it’s highly recommended that you take advantage of webhooks.

Does the Shopify Basic Plan Include Webhooks?

The Shopify Basic plan has access to webhooks, which means that you don’t need to worry about upgrading to a more expensive plan just to use this specific feature. The key features that are accessible through webhooks include the following:

• Customer updates
• Order creation
• Product changes
• Customer creation
• Discount update
• Fulfillment orders cancelled
• Transaction creation

If you haven’t yet signed up for Shopify, there are significant differences between each plan. While the Basic plan is the most affordable, it also has more limitations than the other options. Shopify advertises its Basic plan as being ideal for solo entrepreneurs. However, it’s also suitable for smaller businesses. The features that you’ll gain access to when signing up for a Basic plan at $29 per month include the following:

• Shipping discounts of up to 77%
• 10 inventory locations
• 24/7 chat support
• Global selling for up to three markets

Along with limited features, the main drawback of using the Basic plan is that it comes with higher card rates. With the standard payment option, card rates begin at 2.9% plus $.30 per online transaction. The fee for third-party payment providers is 2%. However, Basic users benefit from the ease of use associated with the Shopify platform. You can create a feature-rich website and spend only $29 per month to use Shopify features.

You can also obtain the Shopify plan, which is available at $79 per month and is mainly designed to be used by smaller teams and companies. Card rates are slightly lower with online and in-person transactions. The fee for third-party payment providers also drops to just 1%. The main features associated with a Shopify account include the following:

• Shipping discount of up to 88% and insurance
• 10 inventory locations
• Global selling for three markets
• Five extra staff accounts

If you’re looking to scale your eCommerce storefront, consider signing up for the “Advanced” plan, which is priced at $299 per month. While card rates don’t change much, the fee for third-party payment providers is just 0.6% per transaction. The features you’ll be able to access with this plan include the following:

• Shipping discount of up to 88%, third-party calculated rates, and insurance
• Enhanced 24/7 chat support
• Analytics and custom reports
• 15 extra staff accounts
• The ability to add markets for $59 per month
• 10x checkout capacity

Larger and more complex businesses can sign up for the “Plus” plan, which begins at $2,300 per month. The standout features of this plan include the following:

• Priority 24/7 phone support
• 200 inventory locations
• Unlimited staff accounts
• Localized global selling for up to 50 markets
• 200 POS pro locations that come with Shopify Payments
• Customizable checkout functionality with 40x capacity
• Ability to sell wholesale or B2B

How Webhooks Enhance Shopify Projects

Webhooks are crucial for Shopify-based projects because they allow you to implement automation in your online storefront. You can also perform real-time integrations that make it easier for your systems to communicate with one another when an event occurs. There are many potential use cases of webhooks, which include the following:

• Implementing accounting or CRM software on your website
• Sending notifications for specific events
• Updating your inventory system
• Automating order processing

When a customer makes an order, shippers will be notified immediately, which is made possible with automated processing. The types of events that notifications will be sent for include everything from cart updates to customer account creation.

Developers also leverage webhooks to reduce manual work and improve efficiency. It’s a lightweight solution that allows services and applications to be connected in real-time.

Setting Up Webhooks on Shopify Basic Plan

Setting up webhooks with a Basic plan is easy. Access your Shopify admin. Once you reach the area, navigate to “Settings” and “Notifications”. Click the “Webhooks” setting. You’ll then be given the option to create a webhook. From the Event drop-down menu, choose any supported webhook event. Keep in mind that you can’t change this setting once you create the webhook.

You’ll then see a Format drop-down menu. Select the format that you want Shopify to use when sending information to you. Your two options include JSON and XML. You should see the URL field, which is where you need to enter the URL where the data should be stored. Make sure you save these changes. Before placing the webhook online, test and verify it to ensure it functions properly.

Why Shopify Webhooks Matter for Your Business

From increased automation to real-time data synchronization, webhooks offer many benefits for Shopify projects.

Increased Automation

You can use webhooks to effectively automate workflows. When implemented correctly, you can create triggers that tell one system to send data to another automatically. There aren’t any limits on what you can automate with webhooks.

Real-Time Data Synchronization

When using webhook integrations, data is synchronized in your Shopify storefront in real time, which means that human intervention isn’t needed. As long as you set it up properly, your data will be sent to the correct place.

Seamless Integrations with Third-Party Apps

You can leverage webhooks to streamline workflows and improve the customer experience. This tool supports seamless integration with everything from customer relationship management software to shipping services.

How a Shopify Development Agency Can Help You Maximize Webhooks

Working with a Shopify development agency can help you set up your eCommerce storefront with optimized webhooks. Properly configuring webhooks for different use cases can be challenging. You’ll also be tasked with integrating webhooks with the right services. Obtaining help from a Shopify development agency allows you to minimize mistakes. Agencies can also assist with troubleshooting webhook issues and ensuring that they are secure and efficient.

Conclusion

If you have a Shopify Basic plan, you’ll have access to webhooks automatically. Webhooks are important for businesses because they improve the efficiency and functionality of Shopify stores. Reach out to a Shopify development agency to make the most of webhooks and other Shopify features for your eCommerce projects.