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Understanding Pay by Link
Pay by Link is a flexible payment solution that lets you create secure, shareable payment links and collect payments across any channel.
What This Section Covers
- What Pay by Link is and how it works
- Payment link types (Fixed-Price and Customer-Set Price)
- When to use Pay by Link instead of invoices or transactions
- Key features and benefits
- Common use cases
What Is Pay by Link?
Pay by Link allows you to generate a secure payment URL that customers can use to complete a payment online. You can share links through:
- Email and text
- Messaging apps
- Social media
- Websites
- QR codes (for in-person use)
Unlike invoices, Pay by Link is optimized for quick, flexible, informal payment collection.
How Pay by Link Works
- You create a payment link in Payment Center
- A secure, unique URL is generated
- You share the link with customers
- Customers open the link and complete payment
- A transaction is automatically created and recorded
Both you and the customer receive payment confirmation.
Key Benefits
- Fast setup
- No website or integration is required.
- Share anywhere
- Use in digital or physical channels.
- Reusable
- The same link can be used repeatedly.
- Secure & PCI-compliant
- The payment processing is encrypted.
- Mobile-friendly
- Pay by Link is optimized for all devices.
- Fully tracked
- Payments appear in the Transactions view of the Payment Center.
When to Use Pay by Link
- Social media sales
- Sell without an e-commerce site.
- Remote services
- Collect payment after booking.
- Event tickets
- Set up simple ticket sales.
- Donations & fundraising
- Set up Pay by Link with flexible contribution amounts.
- One-off sales
- Complete a fast, informal payment.
- In-person sales
- Set up QR-based contactless checkout.
Pay by Link Compared to Other Payment Methods
Pay by Link Compared to Take a Payment
- Use Pay by Link when:
- You need a shareable payment option.
- Customers aren't present.
- You want a reusable link.
- Use Take a Payment when:
- You processes payments directly.
- The customer is present, either in-person or phone.
- Payment details are already available.
Pay by Link Compared to Invoices
- Use Pay by Link when:
- You need quick payment.
- No itemization or payment terms are needed.
- The interaction is informal.
- Use Invoices when:
- Formal billing is required.
- Line items or Net terms are needed.
- You are billing B2B customers.
Types of Payment Links
The Payment Center supports two link types:
- Fixed-Price Links
- Fixed-price links are links with a set, non-editable price, which are best for payments for these items:
- Products or services
- Event tickets
- Memberships
- Consultation fees
- Customer-Set Price Links
- Customer-set price links are links where the customer chooses the payment amount within limits you define. Customer-set price links are best for payments for these items:
- Donations
- Fundraising
- Tips or gratuities
- Pay-what-you-want models
Link Type Comparison
- Fixed-Price
- Price control is by the merchant. The amount is fixed. Best use is for sales and events. The customer pays a flat amount.
- Donation
- Price control is by the customer. The amount is flexible. Best use is for donations and tips. The customer enters the amount.
Payment Link Status
- Active
- Link can be used for payments
- Inactive
- Link is disabled
Links are reusable. Each payment creates a new transaction. Invoices are single-use; Pay by Link is not.
Payment Link Components
Required
- Link ID (auto-generated)
- Link type
- Amount (or minimum amount)
- Currency
- Status (Active/Inactive)
Optional
- Description
- Maximum amount (donations)
- Request phone number
- Request shipping address
Customer Payment Experience
Customers:
- Open the link on any device
- See your business name and payment details
- Enter payment information
- Receive confirmation and receipt
No login is required for customers to complete payment.
Security Overview
Pay by Link includes:
- PCI-compliant processing
- Encrypted data transmission
- Fraud detection and monitoring
- No storage of sensitive card data