Webhooks Overview

A webhook is like giving someone your phone number and saying 'call me when something happens.' Instead of you constantly checking if a new lead came in, Chattlebot calls your tools automatically. Technically, a webhook is an HTTP request sent from Chattlebot to a URL you provide when a specific event occurs. Instead of your system repeatedly checking for new leads (polling), webhooks notify you instantly when something happens — like a doorbell instead of constantly checking the door.

Webhooks unlock a wide range of automation possibilities. Sync new leads to your CRM (HubSpot, Salesforce, or any CRM with an API). Send instant notifications to Slack when a high-urgency lead comes in. Log every conversation to Google Sheets for reporting. Trigger email sequences when a visitor submits their info. Let your AI chatbot fetch real-time data — like product availability or appointment slots — during a live conversation. Build multi-step automations that chain multiple actions together. Chattlebot supports four platforms out of the box: Zapier (6,000+ apps), n8n (self-hosted control), Make (visual branching), and Custom Webhooks (any HTTP endpoint).

Here's the flow: an event occurs in your chatbot (like a lead capture), Chattlebot builds a payload from a template you define, replaces {{variables}} with real data (like the lead's name and email), sends an HTTP request to your configured URL, and then processes the response. Chattlebot supports three trigger types. Lead Capture fires when a visitor submits their information through the chatbot. Workflow triggers fire as a step in an automation sequence. AI Tool triggers fire when the AI decides it needs real-time data during a conversation — for example, checking inventory or appointment availability.

Navigate to your bot's dashboard, then go to Actions → Custom Webhooks → Add Webhook. You'll see a template picker — choose a platform (Zapier, n8n, Make) or go with Custom for full control. Fill in the essentials: give your webhook a descriptive name, paste the destination URL from your automation platform, and choose which triggers should fire it. Once configured, click 'Send Test Webhook' to verify the connection works. The test sends sample data so you can confirm your endpoint receives it correctly. Platform-specific setup details are covered in the dedicated guides for each platform.

To use webhooks, you need a Chattlebot account with webhook access (available on paid plans) and an account on your chosen automation platform — or your own HTTP endpoint for custom webhooks. From here, pick the guide that matches your setup: Zapier Integration for the simplest path to 6,000+ apps, n8n Integration for self-hosted control, Make Integration for visual scenario building, or Custom Webhooks for connecting to any API. You can also jump to Payload Reference to understand the data format, or Authentication to learn about securing your connections.