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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

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, and common use cases.

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, and QR codes for in-person use.

Unlike invoices, Pay by Link is optimized for quick, flexible, informal payment collection.

  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

Pay by Link provides these benefits:

BenefitDescription
Fast setupNo website or integration is required
Share anywhereUse in digital or physical channels
ReusableThe same link can be used repeatedly
Secure and Payment Card Industry (PCI)-compliantPayment processing is encrypted
Mobile-friendlyOptimized for all devices
Fully trackedPayments appear in the Transactions view of the Payment Center

Use Pay by Link in these situations:

Use caseDescription
Social media salesSell without an e-commerce site
Remote servicesCollect payment after booking
Event ticketsSet up simple ticket sales
Donations and fundraisingSet up Pay by Link with flexible contribution amounts
One-off salesComplete a fast, informal payment
In-person salesSet up QR-based contactless checkout

Pay by Link and Take a Payment differ in these ways:

If you want to …Then use …
Use a shareable payment option, when customers are not present, or want a reusable linkPay by Link
Process payments directly with the customer present (in-person or by phone), or when payment details are already availableTake a Payment

Pay by Link and Invoices differ in these ways:

If you want to …Then use …
Collect a quick, informal payment with no itemization or payment termsPay by Link
Send formal billing with line items, Net terms, or B2B billingInvoices

The Payment Center supports two link types.

Fixed-Price Links: links with a set, non-editable price, best for products or services, event tickets, memberships, and consultation fees.

Customer-Set Price Links: links where the customer chooses the payment amount within limits you define. They are best for donations, fundraising, tips or gratuities, and pay-what-you-want models.

The two link types have these characteristics:

Link typePrice controlAmountBest useCustomer experience
Fixed-PriceMerchantFixedSales and eventsCustomer pays a flat amount
DonationCustomerFlexibleDonations and tipsCustomer enters the amount

Links can be Active (available for payments) or Inactive (disabled). Links are reusable; each payment creates a new transaction. Invoices are single-use; Pay by Link is not.

A payment link includes these components:

FieldRequired
Link ID (auto-generated)Required
Link typeRequired
Amount (or minimum amount)Required
CurrencyRequired
Status (Active/Inactive)Required
DescriptionOptional
Maximum amount (donations)Optional
Request phone numberOptional
Request shipping addressOptional

Customer Payment Experience

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

Pay by Link includes PCI-compliant processing, encrypted data transmission, fraud detection and monitoring, and no storage of sensitive card data.

The Pay by Link list provides a comprehensive view of all payment links and their details.

Information Displayed

The list view shows the status (Active or Inactive), description, link type, amount, created date, and link ID.

Search and Filter Capabilities

You can search by description, amount, or ID; filter by status, type, or date; and sort by any column.

Opening a link shows the link ID and status, description and type, amount settings, optional fields, and payment URL.

Pay by Link enables you to generate a secure payment URL that customers can use to complete a payment online. You can share links through email, text, messaging apps, social media, websites, or QR codes.

Create a payment link in Payment Center:

  1. Select Payment Center > Pay by Link.
  2. Click Create Payment Link.
  3. Choose either Fixed-Price or Donation type.
  4. Complete the required fields.

Copy the URL

Copy the secure, unique URL that is generated.

Share the link with customers.

You can share through email, text, messaging apps, social media, websites, or QR codes.

Customers complete payment

Customers open the link and complete payment:

  1. Customers open the link on any device.
  2. Customers see your business name and payment details.
  3. Customers enter payment information.
  4. Customers receive confirmation and receipt.

Review the transaction

Review the transaction.

A transaction is automatically created and recorded. Both you and the customer receive payment confirmation.

Result: The payment is processed and appears in your Transactions list in the Payment Center.

Payment Center supports two link types: Fixed-Price and Donation.

Choose Payment Center > Pay by Link.

Click or tap Create Payment Link.

Choose the type and fields

Choose the link type and complete the required fields:

For Fixed-Price Links:

  1. Choose Fixed-Price.
  2. Enter item name, description, amount, and currency.
  3. Configure optional settings (phone number, shipping address collection).
  4. Create link.

For Donation Links:

  1. Choose Donation.
  2. Enter item name and description.
  3. Set minimum (and optional maximum) amount.
  4. Choose currency.
  5. Create link.

Result: Your payment link is created and is ready to share with customers.

You can edit payment links after creation. Edits apply immediately for active links.

The Link ID, Link type, Currency, and Payment URL fields cannot be edited.

Choose Payment Center > Pay by Link.

Locate and choose the payment link to edit.

Open the editor

Click or tap Edit.

Modify the fields

Modify the editable fields:

If you want to change …Then update …
The descriptionDescription
The priceAmount or minimum amount
The donation capMaximum amount (for donations)
What you collect from the customerOptional collection settings (phone, shipping address)

Save

Save your changes.

Result: The payment link is updated with your changes.

Activating a payment link makes it available for customers to use for payments. Active links can accept payments and appear in customer-facing channels.

Choose Payment Center > Pay by Link.

Choose the payment link you want to activate.

Activate

Click or tap Activate.

Confirm

Confirm the status change.

Result: The payment link status changes to Active and is immediately available for customer use.

You can deactivate payment links when items sell out, events end, prices change, or testing is required.

Inactive links cannot be used for payments. To maintain records, links are never deleted.

Choose Payment Center > Pay by Link.

Choose the payment link you want to deactivate.

Deactivate

Click or tap Deactivate.

Confirm

Confirm the status change.

Result: The payment link status changes to Inactive and can no longer be used by customers.

You can share payment links through multiple channels to reach your customers.

Choose Payment Center > Pay by Link.

Choose the payment link to share.

Copy the URL

Copy the payment link URL.

Share the link through your preferred channel: email, SMS, messaging apps, social media, websites, or QR codes.

Result: Customers can now access the payment link to complete their payment.

Last published: September 29, 2026