What is Pay by Link and why should you use it in your business?

Do you want to start selling online but don’t know where to begin? It’s quite normal to have doubts at the start: what options are available? Do you need a website? Will it be very expensive to set up your online store?

The good news is that selling online doesn’t have to be a headache, even if you’re just starting out or have a small business.

One of the simplest and most effective ways to do it is through payment links, also known as Pay by Link. This payment solution is quick, affordable, very easy to use, and you don’t need an online store to start selling.

In this article, we’ll explain what Pay by Link is, how it works, its main advantages, and how to use it to increase your sales.

Introduction to the concept of payment link

What is a payment link?

A payment link is an easy and quick way to charge your customers without needing an ecommerce platform or investing in more expensive payment solutions. It involves creating a unique link with all the payment details, such as the amount, description, your business details, and all available payment methods. Once created, you simply need to send it to your customers via your preferred communication channel so they can complete the payment.

Payments are processed through secure payment gateways, which protect data and ensure transactions run smoothly.

How do payment links work?

The payment process through a payment link is very simple:

1. Create the payment link

Create a personalised payment link with the transaction details, including your business name, the amount to be paid, and the product with a description.

To build customer trust, we recommend customising the payment page with your logo and brand colours. Some online payment gateways, such as PaynoPain’s, also offer the option to create customised payment templates so you can be more efficient and maintain a consistent image for your customers.

2. Share it with your customers

Once you have all the information, copy the link and send it to your customers. You can do this through any of your communication channels, such as WhatsApp, social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, email, or SMS.

3. Start receiving payments

When the customer opens the link, they simply need to enter their details, choose their preferred payment method, and confirm the order. It’s that easy.

Online payment gateway for managing payment links

With our online payment gateway, you can view and manage all your business transactions in real time from the control panel. All operations are centralised in one place, making it as easy as possible to manage your cash flow.

Differences with other online payment methods

No need for a website

Unlike other online payment methods, such as virtual POS, to accept payments via link you don’t need an online store, nor do you need to integrate code or go through complicated processes. You just need to generate a form with the transaction details, copy the link, and send it to the customer so they can complete the transaction quickly and easily.

Sell through social media

Another important advantage is that it allows you to sell directly through social media, instant messaging apps, email, or even SMS. This makes it a flexible and accessible option for all kinds of professionals and businesses, especially startups, freelancers, and small business owners who are just starting to sell online.

Benefits of payment by link for small businesses and entrepreneurs

Ease of implementation

Starting to charge via link avoids complicated integrations, which is a big advantage if you’re just starting to sell or need to receive payments for a one-off product or service. Within minutes of creating the link, you’ll be able to start receiving the money.

Reduction of operational costs

This payment solution helps reduce costs by eliminating the need for an online store and its monthly subscriptions. This way, you avoid additional fees and fixed commissions that other payment solutions would entail, or the need to maintain an online platform.

Expansion of customer reach

Thanks to payment links, you can expand your reach by sending them to your customers via your favourite communication channels. For example, if you usually communicate with them through WhatsApp, you can send the payment link directly in that chat. Therefore, you can reach more customers directly, simply, and affordably.

Use cases for payment by link

Sales through social media

If your business operates mainly on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, payment by link is an ideal way to collect payments through these channels. For example, if you sell accessories or customised clothing on Instagram, you can generate a payment link for each item and share it directly with your followers. This way, your customers can make purchases without leaving the platform.

Payments through instant messaging services

For businesses that manage their sales or consultations via instant messaging, such as WhatsApp or Telegram, payment by link can be very useful. For example, if you’re a nutritionist or personal trainer, you can send a payment link to your customers at the end of the consultation. This allows you to make the payment process easier, avoiding the reliance on more complicated payment methods or waiting for the customer to remember to make the payment on their own.

Remote invoicing

This payment solution is also very useful for professionals and businesses offering services online, such as consultants and graphic designers. After completing a service, they can create a payment link and send it to the client, thus simplifying the invoicing and payment process.

How to implement payment by link in your business

Implementing payment by link in your business is easy and quick. Here are some tips to get started:

Choosing payment service providers

The first step is to choose a payment provider that allows you to easily generate payment links. It’s important that it offers a smooth experience for both you and your customers, and that it supports multiple payment methods so that each user can choose their preferred option.

You should also consider whether it allows you to customise the payment form with your brand colours, logo, and style, and create reusable templates that help you save even more time.

With PaynoPain‘s Pay by Link service, you can easily customise links, create templates, and offer multiple payment methods, such as card payments or digital wallets like PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay, or even Bizum.

Security and regulatory compliance considerations

Although the process of collecting payments online is simple, it’s important to ensure that the payment platform you choose complies with security and data protection regulations. This is crucial to protect both your customers and your business and to ensure that transactions are carried out securely and reliably.

At PaynoPain, we guarantee full compliance with European PSD2 regulations, and for over 14 years, we’ve been working under the highest international security standards, including PCI-DSS Level 1 certification. In addition, we are a payment institution regulated by the Bank of Spain and hold Visa and Mastercard Principal Member accreditation.

As a result, we ensure the protection of payment data and enhance your customers’ trust in every transaction.

The easiest way to sell online without a website

Pay by Link is a quick and secure solution for businesses and professionals who want to sell online without having an ecommerce platform. Its main advantages are flexibility and speed, cost reduction, and expanding reach through communication channels like WhatsApp and social media.

Payment links are ideal if you’re looking for a simple and affordable way to sell online. Whether it’s to launch a one-off promotional campaign or offer your products through your usual communication channels, this solution allows you to collect payments quickly without the need for complex integrations.