What are payment links? How they work and how to use them (UK guide)

Key takeaways

• Payment Links let you get paid without a website, coding, or a complex setup — you just create a link, share it, and your customer pays in a few taps.

• You can send Payment Links by email, SMS, social media, or you can embed them in invoices. That makes them one of the most flexible ways to collect payments.

• Airwallex Payment Links accept 160+ payment methods in 130+ currencies. There’s no setup fee, and integrated reporting helps you track every transaction.

Getting paid shouldn’t mean you need a website, a developer, or a complicated checkout system. Payment Links fix this. They give you a simple URL you can share. When your customer taps it, they go straight to a secure payment page — with no technical setup.

This guide explains what Payment Links are and how to create and send them. It also covers what they cost and how to optimise them for more completed payments. We’ll also share how one business owner cut his average time-to-payment significantly just by switching to Payment Links.

What are Payment Links?

A Payment Link (also called a checkout link) is a unique URL that sends your customer to a secure payment page. It’s like texting someone a till. They tap the link, choose how to pay, and the money lands in your account. This means you can take payments from almost anywhere, without building a checkout or handling cash.

Payment Links are offered by payment processing companies. Even so, they don’t need any coding or complicated setup. In fact, you don’t even need a website to use them.

You can share Payment Links through:

• Email

• SMS and text messages

• Social media and messaging apps

• Embedded within invoices or PDF proposals

How do Payment Links work?

First, you create a link in your payment provider’s dashboard. Next, you set the amount and add a description. Then you share the link in the way that suits you — by email, text, or social message. Your customer clicks the link, lands on a secure payment page, picks their preferred payment method, and completes the payment. They don’t need to create an account or remember any card details.

For your customer, the whole process takes seconds. For you, it takes no technical work.

Who uses Payment Links?

Payment Links work for many types of businesses:

• Freelancers and sole traders who want to get paid without chasing bank transfers

• Service businesses like consultants, agencies, and tradespeople billing for completed work

• eCommerce sellers

  who don’t have a full checkout system yet

• B2B businesses embedding payment options directly into invoices

• Retail businesses using social selling to turn enquiries into sales

Why Payment Links are valuable for businesses

Payment Links are popular because they cut friction between finishing work and getting paid. There’s no hardware to install, no code to write, and no waiting for bank transfers to clear. Here’s why they’re so useful.

Fast and easy setup

No website, coding, or faffing required. A Payment Link is one of the simplest ways to get paid.

Card machines need hardware, software, and platform integrations. Cash needs handling, reconciling, and paying in. Bank transfers can feel clunky, and one wrong digit can cause problems.

By contrast, a Payment Link can get you paid in a few taps, clicks, or swipes.

Freddie Chatt runs the eCommerce site Village Cricket Co., as well as an eCommerce consulting business. He started using Payment Links because "I was getting frustrated with the usual invoice-and-wait cycle. I'd send over a proposal or complete a project milestone, then do my admin and hope the client would pay within terms. My average time-to-payment has reduced significantly since using Payment Links."

"Cash flow is everything and Payment Links have genuinely improved mine." Late payments are still one of the biggest cash flow challenges for UK SMEs. So, tools that reduce time-to-payment can make a real difference.

Payments via multiple channels

There are lots of ways to use Payment Links in your sales strategy. Here are a few examples:

• Integrating a Payment Link into an abandoned cart text

• Following up a customer enquiry on social media with a link to purchase a product

• Answering an in-stock enquiry over the phone, then sending a Payment Link on confirmation

• Embedding a Payment Link in a PDF proposal or quote for B2B clients

There are use cases in many other industries too, including as part of your SaaS pricing strategy.

Convenient for customers across mobile and desktop

Links make paying as easy as possible for your customers. They don’t need to remember their card number, copy bank details, or do anything more than tap a few buttons.

"Mobile phones dominate global digital commerce website visits and contribute to the largest share of online orders," according to Statista research. That’s why mobile optimisation is now essential, not an afterthought.

Because Payment Links are flexible, it’s easy for you to get paid on-the-go too. It also lets customers pay in the way they prefer. For example, some customers feel safer buying from a laptop.

How to create and send a Payment Link

Creating a Payment Link is simple, no matter which provider you choose. Here’s the usual process:

• Sign up with a payment provider that offers Payment Links

• Go to the Payment Links section in your dashboard

• Set the amount and currency, then add a clear description of what the payment’s for

• Customise the branding, if your provider offers this option

• Generate the link (and a QR code if you need one)

• Share the link by email, SMS, social media, or embed it in an invoice

With Airwallex, this takes under a minute and needs no coding. You can also create QR codes for in-person payments or printed materials.

What makes a Payment Link convert?

A Payment Link on its own won’t guarantee you get paid. The small details matter. That includes how you describe the payment and which payment methods you offer. Here’s what to focus on.

Optimisation elements that drive conversions

For each optimisation below, doing the opposite is usually a risk that the payment won’t be completed.

Tips for higher conversion rates

Choose a trusted, regulated payment provider. When customers recognise the provider, they’re more likely to trust your links. That trust removes friction.

Turn on multi-currency and local payment methods. Digital wallets, major card providers, and local methods your customers prefer can all increase the chance they’ll pay.

Customise your branding. Payment Links can go to a generic payment page from your processor, or to a more branded version that matches your business. That consistency helps people feel confident and familiar.

Check your completion rates each month. Look at which payment methods people use most. Also check whether some link descriptions work better than others. Over time, small changes can add up.

Compliance and security for Payment Links in the UK

Any payment setup you add to your business must meet high security standards. You and your processor have a duty of care for customers’ data. Their card and bank details are some of the most valuable information they’ll ever share with you.

So, make sure your payment processor can prove the following:

• FCA licence and regulation (check their official register)

• PSD2 compliance (the EU’s security, competition, and consumer protection directive for payments)

• Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) measures like 3D Secure authentication

• Card processing that’s compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)

• GDPR and data privacy policies

Any provider that can give you these assurances is worth considering. You’ll still need to work with your compliance, technical, and legal teams to make sure the product you choose is suitable. Airwallex meets all of these requirements as an FCA-authorised Electronic Money Institution.

Why use Airwallex for Payment Links

Airwallex makes it easy for UK businesses to create, customise, and track Payment Links. With 160+ payment methods and 130+ currencies, you can help customers pay like you’re local, wherever they are — and there’s no fee to create a link.

Payment Links pricing and fees

There’s no fee to create a Payment Link with Airwallex. You’ll pay our standard transaction fee, based on the payment method your customer uses. For example, UK domestic debit card payments cost 1.30% + £0.20 per transaction.

International card rates and cross-border fees vary based on the payment method your customer uses. If you want a custom quote for your business, book a demo with our team.

Features and integrations

With Airwallex Payment Links, you get:

• Simple creation, editing, and customisation

• Support for one-off and recurring payments

• 160+ payment methods and 130+ currencies

• Mobile-first, secure, and FCA regulated

• Integrated reporting and analytics

• Direct integration with Xero, QuickBooks, and NetSuite for automated invoice reconciliation

You’ll also get access to our wider payments technology. So, you can use features like Checkout, Payment Plugins, Subscriptions, and more. Or, you can build a fully custom payments setup with our API.

Getting paid is the most important part of running a business. Payment Links are quick to set up and clearly effective — so you’ve every reason to try them. Learn how to set up online payments with Airwallex.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How do Payment Links work?

A Payment Link sends your customer to a secure checkout page. There, they choose a payment method and complete the payment in a few clicks. With a payment gateway like Airwallex, you create a unique link that’s already set up with the products or services you’re selling. Then you share it by email, text, or social media. Your customer doesn’t need to create an account — they just pay and go.

What's the difference between a Payment Link, a checkout button, and an invoice?

A Payment Link is a shareable URL that takes your customer to a payment page. A checkout button sits on your website. An invoice is a detailed bill that lists products, quantities, prices, and payment terms.

Payment Links are flexible, because you can send them by email, messaging apps, or social media. Checkout buttons help customers pay while they shop on your site. Invoices often help customers pay by bank transfer or cheque.

With Airwallex, businesses can embed Payment Links straight into invoices through Xero, QuickBooks, and NetSuite. That also automates reconciliation when they’re paid.

How much does it cost to create a Payment Link?

There’s no fee to create a Payment Link with Airwallex. You’ll pay our standard transaction fee based on the payment method used — for example, UK domestic debit card payments cost 1.30% + £0.20. International card rates and other payment method fees vary depending on your setup.

Can B2B businesses use Payment Links?

Definitely. You can add Payment Links straight into your invoices. That way, a client can open the invoice and tap the Payment Link to pay their bill. It’s quick and easy for both of you.