Pay by Link: Simplifying Online Purchases for Merchants
Rule number 1 of running a business - keep the customer happy. As we move through an ever-evolving digital landscape, where competitors are just a split-second tap away, this rule has never been more important.
In short, customer experience continues to be king.
The question is, is your current payment method harming your business’ performance? If so, Pay by Link may be the solution you’re looking for. In this blog, we dive into the world of pay by link, answering your burning questions, including:
- What is it?
- How does it work?
- What are the benefits?
- Are there any drawbacks?
- How do I get started?
What is pay by link?
Pay by link is one of the many emerging payment methods designed to make purchases easy for both you and your customers. It works by allowing your customers to pay for goods or services by clicking on a link that takes them directly to a payment page.
Links can be shared across a whole range of platforms, including:
Email
SMS
Social Media
Invoices
QR code
It’s a flexible payment option for customers and is overall a great solution for ensuring speedy payments and reducing cart abadonment.
How does pay by link work?
You’ll need to have a payment gateway account set up with a payment provider that offers this service.
Once you’ve got set up, you can quickly generate payment links for your customers. These can be customised with the amount due, a reference number and a due date. From there, it’s a case of arranging for the link to be sent via your preferred platform.
When the customer clicks on the link, they’ll be taken to a payment page where they enter their payment details and complete the transaction. The payment is then processed and the funds are deposited into your account. With the right platform, you’ll be able to track the status of your payments in real-time through your payment gateway dashboard.
What businesses can use pay by link?
One of the best things about pay by link is its versatility. This payment method can be adopted by a whole range of business types and industries. Here are some of the industries that favour it:
Mobility
Allows secure payments to be completed before the ride - ensuring that longer or riskier journeys are covered before the driver arrives.
Events
Streamlines payment processes for event companies, reducing the need for manual payment processing and reconciliation. This helps to improve efficiency and reduce errors, a factor that’s particularly important for large events or conferences with a high volume of payments.
Hospitality
Provides a fast and efficient payment processing solution that is particularly needed in hospitality businesses, especially with the current staffing challenges this industry is facing. It reduces the need for manual payment processing and reconciliation, helping to improve cash flow and reduces the risk of errors or delays.
SaaS
As a secure payment processing solution, pay by link protects SaaS businesses and their customers from fraud and other security risks. Payments can be verified and processed securely, which helps to reduce the risk of chargebacks or other payment disputes.
It’s especially handy if:
1. You’re big (or want to be) on SMS marketing
Pay by link is an awesome tool for text outreach. If you’re looking to build a strong SMS marketing channel, this payment method is by far the best payment method to attach to it.
2. You’re fundraising or collecting donations
No matter what you’re selling, efficiency and ease are must-haves in your checkout process. This need is only amplified when it comes to charitable donations.
Think of it like this, all that’s typically driving this customer base is goodwill. When there’s little else “in it” for them, impatience and impracticality will inevitably have an even bigger impact on your success. Link payments are fast and direct, letting people contribute to fundraising campaigns or donate to a charitable cause without a hefty time investment.
3. You’re selling in person but want to ditch the hardware
This particular one became big thanks to lockdown. We needed hands (and germ) free ways to pay so we could get back to enjoying life. While it was seen as a temporary solution to social distancing, it actually offered a more streamlined and clutter-free way to pay. So for many, it’s stuck! Whether you’re a vendor at a farmers market or a luxury restaurant, pay by link is a great way to streamline your services.
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How does pay by link simplify online purchases?
There are several ways that pay by link simplifies online purchases for both you and your customers:
- Accepts multiple payment types
You can accept payments from a variety of payment types, including credit and debit cards, apple pay and google pay. This makes it easy for customers to pay using their preferred payment method, increasing the chances of completing the purchase.
- Cost-effective
For businesses operating on a tight budget pay by link is a great solution. It allows you to take payments without the need for building a website, integrating a checkout into an existing website or launching an app to accept payments. All you need to do is send the link.
- It’s quick and convenient
It’s a quick and convenient payment method for customers as they can complete the payment process in just a few clicks. This reduces the risk of customers abandoning their purchase due to a complicated payment process or human error is taking the payment manually over the phone.
- It’s good for international payments
It’s an international payment option, which means you can accept payments from customers around the world. This is particularly useful for businesses that operate globally or have customers based overseas.
- It’s a fraud deterrent
It’s a secure payment method that helps to reduce the risk of fraud. This is because customers are directed to a secure payment page where they have to enter their payment details and go through a 3D Secure payment flow, rather than providing their card details say over the phone.
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What are the potential challenges?
While pay by link is a convenient payment method for both you and your customers, there are some things to consider:
- Limited branding options
Payment pages are often generic and don’t allow for much branding.
- Customer education
Some customers can be suspicious of links - and rightly so. You may need to offer extra education or support to help them understand and trust this payment process.
- Risk of fraud
While it’s a secure payment method, there is always a risk of fraud. You should take steps to ensure that your payment gateway and payment pages are secure to minimise that risk and that your 3D Secure payment flow is optimised.
How to get started with pay by link
To get started you’ll need to choose a payment gateway provider that offers this service. The good news is, you’re already in the right place! Once you’ve signed up for an account, you can start generating payment links for your customers. You can customise the links with the amount due, a reference number, and a due date, making it easy for customers to understand and pay their invoices. And, with an intuitive admin tool set up, you’ll be able to handle everything in one, easy-to-use place.
Unlike other providers, we’ll work closely with you to help achieve your business goals. Our team will be ready and waiting to help make your payment processes adapt to your needs.
To sum up
Payments by link are a convenient and secure payment method that simplifies online purchases for both merchants and customers. By offering multiple payment options, low fees, and a quick and convenient process, you can improve customer satisfaction and boost sales.
While there are some potential negatives to consider, such as limited branding options and the need for customer education, it’s still a great, modern payment method that you should definitely consider.
