How to Create a Payment Link for Your Customers
What a payment link is and why you might use one
A payment link is a URL you send to a customer that takes them directly to a checkout page where they can pay you. You don't need a website or a physical store—just a link. The customer clicks it, enters their payment details (card, bank account, or digital wallet), and the money moves to your account.
Payment links work for one-time charges or recurring bills. A plumber might text a link after finishing a job. A freelancer might email one with an invoice. A nonprofit might post one on social media to collect donations. The link does the work of a cashier—it collects the money and confirms the transaction—without you having to build anything.
The payment processor (the company that handles the transaction) creates the link for you. You don't code it or host it yourself. You just set the amount, add a description if you want, and copy the link into an email, text, or social post.
Key Takeaways
- A payment link is a URL that takes customers to a checkout page where they pay you directly, with no website required.
- Your payment processor generates the link—you choose the amount, add a description, and share it however you want.
- Payment links can be one-time charges or set up for recurring payments like monthly subscriptions or retainers.
- The processor handles the security, fraud checks, and deposit into your bank account; you just send the link and track the payment.
- Most payment processors charge a fee per transaction (usually 2–3% plus a small flat fee), which comes out of what you receive.
How to generate a payment link from your processor
The steps differ slightly between processors, but the basic flow is the same. Log into your account with your payment processor (Stripe, Square, PayPal, Shopify Payments, or another service you've already set up). Look for a button or menu item labeled "Create Payment Link," "Generate Link," "Invoices," or "Checkout Link"—the exact wording varies.
Enter the amount you want to charge. If it's a one-time payment, type the dollar amount. If it's recurring (like a monthly subscription), choose the frequency and the amount per cycle. Add a description so the customer knows what they're paying for—"Plumbing repair," "Coaching session," "Donation," or whatever applies. Some processors let you add an image or note.
Choose whether the link expires. Some processors let you set an expiration date so the link stops working after a certain date. This is useful if you're sending an invoice with a deadline. If you leave it open-ended, the link stays active until the customer pays or you manually disable it.
Copy the link and send it to your customer. That's it. You don't need to do anything else. The processor handles the payment page, the security, and the deposit into your bank account.
What happens when a customer clicks the link
The customer lands on a checkout page hosted by your processor. They see the amount, the description, and a form to enter their payment details. They can pay with a credit card, debit card, or (depending on the processor) a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay, or a bank transfer.
The processor checks the payment for fraud and confirms it went through. The customer sees a receipt on screen and usually gets one by email. You see the payment in your processor account, and the money (minus the processor's fee) deposits into your linked bank account within one to three business days, depending on your processor and your bank.
If the payment fails—the card is declined, the bank account is closed, or there's a security flag—the customer sees an error message and can try again. You're notified that the payment didn't go through, usually by email or a notification in your account dashboard.
One-time payments versus recurring payments
A one-time payment link charges the customer once. You set an amount, send the link, they pay, and it's done. Use this for invoices, service charges, or donations where you don't expect repeat payments from the same person.
A recurring payment link charges the customer on a schedule you set—weekly, monthly, yearly, or a custom interval. The customer enters their payment details once, and the processor charges them automatically on each due date. Use this for subscriptions, retainers, membership fees, or any service you provide regularly.
With recurring links, the customer can usually pause or cancel from a link in their receipt email or by logging into a customer portal (if your processor offers one). You can also cancel or pause from your account. If a payment fails—the card expires or the account closes—most processors retry a few times and notify you if it ultimately doesn't go through.
Fees and what you actually receive
Your processor charges a fee for each transaction. The fee structure varies, but most charge between 2% and 3% of the transaction amount plus a flat fee of 25 to 30 cents. Some processors charge differently for card payments versus bank transfers, or charge less for recurring payments than one-time ones.
The fee comes out of what you receive. If a customer pays you $100 and your processor charges 2.9% plus 30 cents, you receive $96.41. The processor keeps $3.59. Check your processor's pricing page or your account settings to see the exact fee structure for your plan.
Some processors offer lower rates if you process a certain volume per month, or if you're a nonprofit. Ask your processor if you may have access to for a discount. The fee is usually the same whether you use a payment link, a website checkout, or an in-person card reader—it's the transaction that costs, not the method.
Security and what you need to know about fraud
Your processor handles the security. They encrypt the payment details, check for fraud, and comply with payment card industry standards so you don't have to. You never see the customer's full card number or bank account details—the processor keeps that information secure on their servers.
You are responsible for sending the link only to the person you intend to charge. If you email a link to the wrong address or post it publicly, anyone can pay (or attempt to pay). If you're sending invoices, double-check the email address. If you're posting a link for donations, that's fine—it's meant to be public.
If a customer disputes a charge (says they didn't authorize it or didn't receive what they paid for), the processor handles the dispute process. You may be asked to provide proof that the customer authorized the payment or received the service. Keep records of your communications and any work you did. If the dispute goes against you, the processor reverses the charge and you lose the money.
Tracking payments and managing your records
Your processor's dashboard shows every payment received through your links. You can see the date, amount, customer email (if they provided one), description, and fee. Most processors let you download a report or export the data to a spreadsheet for your records.
Some processors let you add notes to a payment or tag it with a category. This is useful if you're tracking payments for different projects or clients. Use it to stay organized, especially if you send many links.
Keep your own records too. Write down what you charged for, when you sent the link, and when you received payment. This helps you track invoices, follow up on unpaid links, and prepare for taxes. Your processor's records are a backup, not a substitute for your own bookkeeping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I customize what the payment page looks like?
Most processors let you add your business name and logo to the checkout page. Some let you change colors or add a custom message. The level of customization varies—Stripe and Shopify offer more options than PayPal or Square. Check your processor's settings to see what you can change.
What if a customer pays but then says they didn't authorize it?
The processor handles the dispute. You'll be asked to prove the customer authorized the payment—an email exchange, a signed contract, or a text message can help. If you can't prove authorization, the processor usually sides with the customer and reverses the charge. Keep records of all communication with customers before you send a link.
Can I send the same link to multiple customers?
Yes, if the amount is the same for everyone. Each customer who clicks the link and pays is charged separately. If you need to charge different amounts, create a different link for each amount or each customer.
How long does it take for the money to reach my bank account?
Most processors deposit money within one to three business days. Some deposit the next day. Check your processor's deposit schedule in your account settings. Weekends and holidays may delay deposits.
Can I use a payment link on my social media or website?
Yes. You can post the link on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, your website, or anywhere else. Anyone who clicks it can pay. If you want to limit who can pay, send the link directly to specific people via email or text instead of posting it publicly.