Understanding Pay by Link {#vas-smb-pay-by-link-overview}
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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
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1. You create a payment link in Payment Center
2. A secure, unique URL is generated
3. You share the link with customers
4. Customers open the link and complete payment
5. 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
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**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
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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
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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
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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
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**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
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Customers:

1. Open the link on any device
2. See your business name and payment details
3. Enter payment information
4. Receive confirmation and receipt

No login is required for customers to complete payment.

Security Overview
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Pay by Link includes:

* PCI-compliant processing
* Encrypted data transmission
* Fraud detection and monitoring
* No storage of sensitive card data