Payment links: What are They and How To Use Them?
Whenever we get a bill we need to spend some time figuring out how or where to pay it on the company’s website.
And since Square’s solution for payment links the entire payment process has become so streamlined and easier. Just click a button and go straight to the checkout page where your card information is already filled in. After it you only have to just click on confirm and your payment is done. That’s exactly what Payment links are used for.
People have stopped using cash more and more in the last few years. Even though this pattern has been growing for a while the covid19 pandemic has made it grow even faster.
As a result of the pandemic not only has the switch from cash to cards happened faster but it's also harder to tell the difference between online and in-person transactions. Overnight many restaurants stopped having wait staff take orders face-to-face. As they rushed to use new payment technologies that were safer and gave them more options for how to handle customers' purchases.
Before the only way to pay at the table was with a card machine. Now everyone pays with their phone or a special app. For example quick response (QR) codes have been around for 26 years but they didn't become popular until we had to scan them to log in or see a menu. This is why since the year 2020 more than half of customers have used a different way to pay.
Even after the pandemic is over these kinds of money options will still be available. So people may take part in a journey that lets restaurants spend more time and money on the quality of the service they give and less time and money on the logistics of accepting payments.
That's great news for businesses and the ways they can talk to their customers. It means they can build long-lasting relationships based on trust and confidence which can lead to more sales happier customers and loyal customers who stick with them.
What does a payment link mean?
A payment link is a request for payment that a business sends to its customers so that they can pay for their purchase. This link to pay can be sent by email text message app web browser or social media. Once a customer gets it all they have to do to pay is click on the link. This method of payment is often used when ordering goods or services from a place other than a traditional store or an online store.
Who could use payment links?
If you send invoices or statements to your customers it's simple to add payment links to them. Because people click the link to pay as soon as they get your bill you will find that on average your bills are paid 40% faster. 95% of all text messages are read in the first three minutes after they are sent. That tells you how quickly you might get paid if you used a payment link.
At an event where you are working remotely you can email or text a payment link to a customer and get paid right away through their phone.
What kinds of payment links are there?
Most people use the term "payment link" but other names for the same thing are:
- Pay by link
- Buy button
- Payment button
- Pay button
Are the links for payment safe?
Payment links make it easier and safer for customers to pay for your goods or services. It also makes it possible for you to get paid right away!
Payment links get rid of the need for businesses to ask customers for sensitive credit card information over the phone (which is a PCI security issue and can compromise the cardholder's credit card data). The entire payment process is safe for both your customer and your business.
The only information that is shared between employees and clients is a payment amount and a way to get in touch. Customers can look at these basic payment details and send you their credit card information so that it can be sent directly to your payment gateway in a way that is PCI-compliant.
Fast payment confirmation is good for both your business and your customer.
How do I set up a link for payment?
You will need to find a PSP or payment service provider. This is the same as when you accept credit card payments. The exact steps may be different for each provider but you will almost always need to:
- Create a profile. This might need an underwriting or credit check so it's best to do it before you need to start getting payments.
- Create a payment page or product page. Some PSPs might ask you to link your link to a product or service while others might just want you to offer money.
- Set up the payment link. Here you can tell people about things like how to pay for the link and who can see it.
- Give the web address. Your link to make a payment can now be shared.
One such company that provides you with the safest and most secure payment methods is Square. It has opened its door to the world in 2009. Since then the payment methods have changed a lot and so does Square. Today they work with sellers of all sizes from small businesses just starting to large merchants who started with Square and grew over time. They provide you with the easiest safest and contactless methods to handle your payments for your business whether it is small or big.
What are the advantages of creating payment links?
- There is no need for coding or website integration
You can start right away by making Payment Links which only takes three easy steps and accepting payments from customers. To make Payment Links you don't need to connect your website or write any code.
- It makes it easier for your customers to pay
When using a payment link customers can choose from several payment methods and currencies. If a customer has already given you payment information the page will already have their billing and shipping information. All they have to do is click "Pay Now."
- Notify customers automatically
Payment Links lets you send an SMS email or WhatsApp message to your customers as soon as you create it. You can also send automatic reminders to your clients to make sure they pay you on time.
- It is easier for you to get money from people
You can make a payment link and a payment page that matches your brand with minimal IT work. If more payments are made by payment links it could make your finance or accounting staff's jobs easier and save them time from having to process checks.
- Bulk upload links
You can also make more payment links as your business grows by sending a simple.csv or.xlsx file with all the transactions you want to make. This will save you a lot of time and stop mistakes from being made by humans.
Conclusion
Payment links are useful because they save us time and effort. They reduce the conflicts between the merchant and customer in doing business. They are a great way to get paid by the customer on time.
It also makes it easier for the customer to pay for the product in just one click or in a few steps without the need to be present at the given location. They can pay at any time from a remote place directly into the merchant account. All they need is just a payment link.