How to set up and use Paystack Callback URL

A callback URL is a website page where a user is directed after a successful transaction. For example, on an e-commerce website that sells phone cases and jewellery, the customer can make a purchase through the provided checkout option. Once the payment process is completed, the customer is redirected back to the website, typically to a page that confirms their order has been received. This page is the callback URL.

From the customer's point of view, a properly set up callback URL would redirect them back to the page you specified after they complete their transaction, typically an order confirmation page, this would put the mind of a customer at ease knowing that they were able to successfully purchase the product.

Examples of how Callback URLs can be used.

• A customer purchases an item from your store using the redirect method to pay for the item, a callback URL is used to return the customer to your website so they can continue browsing items.

• You own an appointment web app that integrates Paystack, you can redirect a user to your Calendly account for them to book a slot in your calendar.
• If you own a bookstore, you can set up a callback URL that redirects a customer to your Google drive of books after the customer completes payment.

Application of Callback URL for non-developers

Callback URLs can be used in different use cases without having to write code. You can set a callback URL for any of our Commerce tools;

• Payment Pages

• Product Pages

• Storefront

You can set a callback URL on any of these tools, such that when a customer completes payment, they can be redirected to a different URL either to grant access to the service they’ve paid for, e.g a Google Drive link containing an e-book, or to upsell the customer on another service, it could also be a simple thank-you page. The way the callback URL is used depends on your particular business needs.

To learn more about creating Payment Pages or Storefronts, go to https://paystack.com/commerce

Pitfalls to avoid when using Callback URL

Some of the pitfalls to avoid for a callback URL are:

1. Ensure that it only redirects to an HTTPS site.

2. Ensure that the URL is a website that can be loaded by a browser. e.g www.yourwebstore.com

4. Ensure you don’t use localhost as your callback URL e.g localhost://mystore.com would not work.
5. You shouldn’t use Callback URL as the only way of returning value. For instance, your customer might not get redirected after completing a transaction due to a network error. This would make it difficult for you to know if the transaction was successful.

Why Webhooks are preferred to Callback URLs for delivering value

Webhooks is a link to your server where Paystack can send notifications about the status of a transaction. If you specify a webhook URL, we will send a response to this URL whenever a webhook event is carried out on your website/app. If users face network issues when making a transaction, they will still receive value for their purchase since we'll still send a notification to your Webhook URL.

In summary, Webhooks are preferred to Callback URLs because they are faster, more efficient, and more reliable in delivering real-time updates, and can be used to send data directly to a client, without the need for the client to poll for updates.