Conveniently pay by link: Simplify payments for your customers

For customers, businesses need to meet consumer demands by providing convenient and multiple payment options. And, for businesses looking to invoice clients, they need streamlined traceability and ease of payment. 

Pay by link offers all of that, plus some. It’s a next-generation payment solution that provides businesses with the versatility they need for both enhanced customer and client relationships. 

Read on as we unpack payment links, how they work and how your business can benefit.

What is pay by link? 

Payment links — also referred to as checkout links or pay-by-link — are unique URLs that enable businesses to facilitate and accept payments without the need for a physical POS system or a complex e-commerce infrastructure. These links direct users to a secure, hosted checkout page where they can complete their payment quickly and safely.

By clicking on a link sent via email, SMS, social media or embedded in digital invoices, users can make transactions conveniently from anywhere and at any time.

Paylink links can come in multiple formats, including:

• QR codes.
• Embedded links in emails or text messages. 
• Buttons on websites or digital invoices. 
• Hyperlinks shared through social media posts. 
• Links printed on physical receipts or promotional materials for scanning. 

On the customer-facing front, 48% of merchants state that they have lost sales due to not offering the option to pay by link. On the client-facing front, invoices that contain a digital payment link are paid 3x faster, on average. 

That’s to say that, across the business landscape, payment links are a tried-and-true method for enhanced transaction processes — offering clients and customers alike the convenience of next-generation payment system technology.

How does pay by link work? 

Each payment link provider works slightly differently. When you offer payment links through Payanywhere, it’s as simple as a few clicks — here’s how it works: 

1. Generate a link: Connect to your PaymentsHub account to generate a payment link. Simply enter the amount to be charged, add a description and any relevant customer data. This customized link can then be generated with a click, ready for distribution.

2. Distribute the link: Once created, the payment link can be sent directly to your customers or clients through various channels, such as email, SMS or even embedded on your website. This flexibility allows you to reach users where they are most likely to complete their purchase.

3. Receive the payment: When a user clicks on the payment link, they are directed to a secure payment page hosted by Payanywhere. Here, they can choose their preferred payment method and complete the transaction securely. Confirmation of payment is instantly sent to both you and the user. 

It’s that simple — you can learn more about Payanywhere’s pay by link solution here. 

Are payment links secure? 

Not all payment links are equal. When choosing a payment service provider, you should ensure they offer the following security protocols:

Point-to-Point Encryption (P2PE): This security measure encrypts payment data from the moment it’s entered by the customer until it reaches the payment processor. It ensures that sensitive information remains unreadable and secure from potential interception or access during transmission, protecting the data from unauthorized parties.

Tokenization: This method involves replacing sensitive payment details, such as credit card numbers, with a unique digital identifier, known as a token. These tokens cannot be reverse-engineered back into the original data, making them useless to thieves. Tokenization greatly reduces the risk of data theft because the actual financial data is not stored or transmitted in transactions after the initial setup.

Secure payment gateways: These are specialized financial services that securely authorize and process payment transactions. They act as the mediator between merchants and payment processors, using advanced encryption and security protocols to ensure that data transferred during transactions is protected against unauthorized access and cyber threats.

Before choosing one solution payment service provider over another, ensure that you speak with a representative to ensure that their security measures meet your specific business needs and compliance requirements. Particularly as compliance requirements evolve, it’s necessary to opt for a provider that not only meets current regulations but also stays proactive about future changes.

Why do businesses offer pay by link? 

Payment links have a wide variety of use cases. For example, let’s consider online retailers, freelancers and subscription-based businesses.

For online retailers and eCommerce providers, payment links streamline the payment process by allowing transactions to be conducted directly through any communication channel — whether through a website button, direct email link, social media DM or other. This is particularly important as a low-step, frictionless eCommerce transaction process is associated with increased sales. 

Moreover, eCommerce providers leverage payment links for users that have abandoned their cart, as they offer a quick and direct route to resume and complete the purchase without navigating back through the website. Similarly, for subscription-based businesses, payment links simplify the process of recurring payments — requiring less of customers. 

For service providers and freelancers, payment links offer an efficient way to handle payments by integrating invoicing and payment processes into one straightforward step. This means reduced admin and less time spent waiting on outstanding invoices due to manually intensive processes. For these professionals and providers, payment links also improve cash flow due to, not only their ease of payment, but the immediate transfer of funds upon payment completion — eliminating the waiting period often required for checks or bank transfers to clear. 

Across the board, businesses benefit from payment links — whether due to improving the customer experience or enhancing their invoicing flexibility: 

• Improved customer experience: Whether it’s through offering multiple payment options (debit card, credit card, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay and more), reducing checkout steps, being positioned on convenient platforms or providing immediate transaction confirmations — payment links improve the customer experience by making the payment process faster, easier and more accessible.

• Enhanced invoicing flexibility: With payment links, businesses can offer their clients a streamlined method of payment. And, with increased tracking capabilities, businesses can effectively monitor incoming payments in real-time, manage outstanding balances more efficiently and ensure timely financial reporting. 

Payanywhere’s custom payment link solution offers a variety of functions that enhance both the customer experience and client relations. This includes options to set fixed, multiple or open-ended payment amounts. It also includes a centralized dashboard whereby businesses can seamlessly track and manage the full transaction lifecycle. And, with Sekure Payment Experts, businesses can gain access to Payanywhere’s payment link solution at low, predictable rates. 

Gain pay by link at low, predictable rates 

Whether you want to ensure a streamlined checkout process for your customers, or offer your clients an invoice method that results in 3x faster payments and improved cash flow for your business, Payanywhere’s pay by link has you covered.

Payanywhere is a partner of Sekure. At Sekure, we ensure secure and reliable payment processing, provide customizable payment options and branding and offer dedicated customer support and assistance. Plus, by working with one of our Payment Experts, you can gain access to Payanywhere's payment solutions at a predictable rate that’s tailored to your specific needs. 

We’re trusted by over 35,000 retailers and business owners for their payment processing needs. Robin Weir, owner of Wild by Nature, said, “Sekure is by far the best experience I have had in lowering my processing rates and they have exceptional customer service. They follow through every step of the way.”

Accept payments from anywhere, with Payanywhere.

Fill out the below form to receive a custom quote.