Payment Link Generator: Send and Collect Payments Without a Website
A payment link generator creates a unique URL that, when clicked by a customer, opens a hosted checkout page where they can complete a card payment. No website integration, no shopping cart, no developer work. The merchant generates a link, sends it via email, SMS, WhatsApp, or social media, and receives the payment directly to their merchant account. For businesses that do not operate an e-commerce store, send invoices, or take orders through channels that do not have a built-in checkout, payment links remove the need for any technical infrastructure while maintaining full payment security and PCI DSS compliance.
What a Payment Link Generator Does
A payment link generator produces a unique URL tied to a specific payment request. The URL encodes key parameters: the payable amount, the currency, a description of what is being paid for, an optional expiry time, and any merchant reference number for reconciliation. When a customer clicks the link, they land on a secure, hosted checkout page that collects card details, runs any required 3D Secure authentication, and processes the payment.
The merchant receives a notification (email or webhook) when the payment is completed, failed, or when a link expires without being used. The transaction appears in the merchant dashboard alongside any other payments processed through the account, using the same settlement and reporting infrastructure.
Payment links are distinct from payment pages in that they are disposable and transaction-specific. Each link is generated for a particular amount and customer context. This is different from a permanently hosted checkout page that accepts variable amounts, though some generators support that configuration too.
From a PCI DSS perspective, payment links are among the lowest-risk integration options available. The cardholder enters their payment details on the gateway's hosted page, not on any merchant-controlled infrastructure. The merchant never sees or handles raw card data, which means PCI compliance requirements are minimal.
For businesses that also need a high risk payment gateway for their primary payment processing, payment links can serve as a secondary collection method for quotes, deposits, and one-off invoice settlements without requiring a separate integration or account.
Use Cases: Invoicing, Remote Sales, Social Commerce, Events
Payment links are particularly well-suited to business models where the sales process happens outside a traditional e-commerce checkout.
B2B and service invoicing: Professional service providers, consultants, freelancers, and agencies send invoices to clients. A payment link embedded in the invoice email or sent separately allows the client to pay by card with a single click, without the merchant needing to set up a full payment page. The link amount matches the invoice, and the merchant reference ensures automatic reconciliation.
Remote sales: Sales teams and customer service representatives often close deals by phone or video call. Rather than asking the customer to navigate to a website, the agent generates a link during the call and sends it to the customer's phone or email. The customer pays while still on the call, confirming the transaction in real time. This removes the follow-up step and increases same-call close rates.
Social commerce: Merchants selling on Instagram, Facebook Marketplace, WhatsApp Business, or other social platforms have no native checkout. Payment links fill this gap. The merchant posts a product, responds to enquiries, and sends a payment link to close the sale entirely within the social channel.
Event and deposit collection: Event organisers, studios, restaurants taking reservations, and hospitality businesses collecting deposits can generate links for specific amounts and send them to customers at the point of booking. Setting an expiry time on the link creates urgency and ensures the link cannot be used after the reservation window closes.
Field services: Plumbers, electricians, cleaners, and other field service providers can collect payment at the end of a job by sending a link to the customer's phone. The customer pays by card on their own device, avoiding the need for the technician to carry a physical POS terminal.
How to Create a Payment Link with RoxPay
RoxPay provides two ways to create payment links: through the merchant dashboard for manual creation, and through the API for programmatic generation at scale.
Dashboard creation: Log in to the RoxPay merchant dashboard. Navigate to the payment links section. Enter the amount, currency, description, your internal order reference, and optionally set an expiry time. Click generate. The dashboard produces a URL that you can copy, share directly, or send via the built-in email function. The payment page is immediately live and accessible by the recipient.
API creation: For businesses that need to generate payment links programmatically, for example as part of an invoicing workflow or a CRM automation, the RoxPay REST API exposes a payment link endpoint. POST a request with the required parameters and the API returns the link URL along with the link ID for future status queries. Webhook notifications are delivered to your configured endpoint when the link is paid or expires.
To start your RoxPay application and access payment link functionality, the onboarding process takes 24-48 hours for standard merchants. Payment links are available immediately on account activation, with no additional configuration required beyond setting your settlement IBAN.
All payment links created through RoxPay support Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal, covering all major payment methods your customers are likely to use. The checkout page is mobile-optimised and renders correctly across all major browsers and devices.
Customisation: Amount, Expiry, Currency, Description
RoxPay payment links support a range of customisation options that allow merchants to adapt them to specific business workflows.
Fixed vs open amount: By default, a payment link specifies a fixed amount that the customer cannot change. This is appropriate for invoices and deposit collection. Open-amount links allow the customer to enter the amount themselves, which is useful for tip collection, charity donations, and flexible contribution scenarios.
Expiry time: Links can be set to expire after a defined period. Options typically range from one hour to 30 days. An expired link displays a message to the customer and cannot be completed. Setting appropriate expiry times reduces the risk of stale links being used out of context and creates payment deadlines for time-sensitive transactions.
Currency: For merchants serving international customers, payment links can be created in any supported currency. The customer pays in the specified currency, and settlement is converted to your account currency at the rate applied at the time of settlement.
Description and reference fields: The description field appears on the hosted checkout page and helps the customer confirm what they are paying for. The merchant reference field is an internal identifier that does not appear to the customer but appears in your transaction reports and webhook payloads, enabling automatic reconciliation with your invoicing or order management system.
Branding: The hosted checkout page uses your merchant name as configured in your account. For white label partners, the page can be fully branded with a custom logo and colour scheme, making the checkout experience consistent with the partner's brand rather than showing RoxPay's.
Security and Fraud Prevention for Payment Links
Payment links introduce specific fraud vectors that merchants should understand and mitigate. A link sent to the wrong recipient, intercepted in transit, or shared beyond the intended customer can result in unauthorised charges or disputes.
Short expiry times: Setting an appropriate expiry time is the single most effective control. A link that expires in two hours cannot be used by someone who obtains it days later. For high-value transactions, use the shortest expiry time that is operationally feasible.
Single-use links: RoxPay payment links are single-use by default. Once the payment is completed, the link cannot be reused for a second transaction. This prevents a customer from sending the link to a third party who then uses it to charge an additional payment to the original customer's card.
3D Secure enforcement: All card transactions on RoxPay-hosted payment pages are subject to 3D Secure authentication where the card network and issuing bank require it. Under PSD2's Strong Customer Authentication requirements, most European card transactions above a threshold require SCA. 3D Secure authentication shifts chargeback liability to the issuing bank for verified transactions, protecting the merchant from a class of fraud disputes.
Amount verification: Before sending a payment link, confirm the amount matches the agreed invoice or quote. A customer who pays a different amount from what they expected is more likely to raise a dispute. Where possible, reference the specific invoice number in the payment link description so the customer immediately recognises what they are paying.
Secure transmission: Send payment links through channels where you can verify the recipient's identity. Email to a known address, WhatsApp to a verified business contact, or a portal message are all lower risk than posting a link publicly. Never generate a payment link for a customer you have not previously verified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a customer pay a payment link with any card?
Yes. RoxPay payment links accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal. The customer sees all available payment methods on the hosted checkout page and selects whichever they prefer. There is no need to specify the customer's payment method when generating the link.
What happens if a payment link expires before the customer pays?
The customer sees an expired link message when they click it and cannot complete the payment. The merchant is notified via webhook and email that the link expired unused. The merchant can generate a new link for the same amount and send it to the customer again. Expired links have no impact on the merchant account or any fees.
Can I generate payment links in bulk via the API?
Yes. The RoxPay REST API supports programmatic payment link generation. You can create links in bulk as part of an invoicing workflow, a CRM automation, or a batch billing process. Each link creation call returns a unique URL and link ID. Webhook events notify your system when each link is paid, partially paid, or expires.
You might also like
High Risk Payment Gateway
Secure payment processing for high-risk industries with multi-acquirer routing and chargeback protection.
Small Business Payment Solutions
Transparent IC++ pricing, free Smart POS terminal, and 24-hour activation for small businesses.
E-commerce Payment Integrations
One-click plugins for Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and PrestaShop with full API access.
Optimize your payments today
RoxPay payment links require no technical integration. Create a link in under a minute from the dashboard, accept all major cards and wallets, and settle to any SEPA bank in 24-48 hours.
✓ No monthly fixed costs · ✓ Activation in 24 hours · ✓ Dedicated technical support
