Pay by Link: A Complete Guide for UK Businesses in 2026
Our guide on Pay By Link tells you everything you need to know, What it is, how it works, what it costs and how Payments World can help your business today.
Updated: April 2026
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Introduction: Why Pay by Link Matters in 2026
Getting paid should be straightforward, but many businesses still lose time chasing invoices, taking card details over the phone, or relying on slow bank transfers. Customers want a simple way to pay there and then, without extra steps or delays. That is why more UK businesses are turning to Pay by Link.
Pay by Link lets you send a secure payment link by email, text message, WhatsApp or invoice, so customers can pay instantly without needing to visit a website or use a card machine. It is a practical option for businesses that take payments remotely or want a faster way to collect money.
According to Adyen, businesses using Pay by Link have seen a significant improvement in payment completion rates, especially in sectors like hospitality, trades, and retail, where traditional card machines aren’t always practical. Businesses use Pay by Link to take deposits, request outstanding balances, accept phone payments and confirm bookings more quickly. It can also help improve cash flow, reduce missed payments and make the payment process easier for customers. In this guide, we explain how Pay by Link works, the key benefits, how to set it up, and how Payments World can help you compare UK providers and choose the right solution for your business.
Whether you’re sending invoices, taking bookings, or completing orders online or over the phone, Pay by Link provides a fast and trusted solution. In 2022 there was a surge in Pay by Link transactions of up to 300%.
What Is Pay by Link?
Pay by Link, sometimes called payment links, is a simple and secure way to accept card payments without a card machine or e-commerce website. It is ideal for businesses that take payments remotely, work on the go, or want an easier way to collect money online.
The business creates a secure payment link for a specific transaction, invoice or deposit and sends it by email, SMS, WhatsApp or invoice. When the customer opens the link, they are taken to a secure hosted payment page where they can pay by card in a few quick steps.
There is no need to create an account or download an app, which makes the process faster and more convenient for customers. For businesses, Pay by Link can help improve cash flow, reduce missed payments and make taking payments far simpler.
It is widely used by tradespeople, freelancers, healthcare providers, hospitality businesses, retailers and service-based companies. Most providers support Visa, Mastercard and American Express, with many also offering multi-currency payments and branded checkout pages.
How Does Pay by Link Work?
One of the main attractions of Pay by Link is its simplicity, both for the business and the customer. You don’t need a physical card machine, e commerce site, or technical development. Everything happens through a few clicks in your payment provider’s dashboard or app. Here’s a breakdown of how it typically works from start to finish:
1. Create The Payment Link
You begin by logging into your payment provider’s portal or mobile app. From there, you enter the payment amount, a brief description of the product or service, and optionally the customer’s name or reference details. Some platforms allow you to add invoice numbers, tax information, or service descriptions for better tracking.
2. Generate and Send the Link
Once you’ve input the details, the system creates a unique, secure payment link that is tied to the specific transaction. You can then send this link to the customer via your preferred channel like SMS, WhatsApp, email, Facebook Messenger, or even embedded in your digital invoices or social media messages. There’s no limit to where you can share it.
3. Customer Clicks The Link
When the customer receives the link, all they need to do is click it. This takes them to a secure hosted checkout page branded with your logo and colours (most providers do this, talk to us if you want this) There’s no need for app downloads or account creation, which significantly reduces friction and boosts conversion rates.
4. Payment is Completed Securely
The customer enters their card details on the payment page typically Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or any other supported method like Apple Pay or Google Pay. The transaction is processed in real time, and once approved, both you and the customer receive a confirmation. Some systems also offer downloadable receipts or integration with your invoicing tool.
5. Settlement of Funds
After the transaction is complete, the money is transferred to your business bank account, often within 1-3 working days depending on your provider’s settlement terms. Some providers offer faster payouts (next day or even same day) for an additional fee.
Advanced Features & Options
Modern Pay by Link solutions often go beyond basic one off payments. Many providers, including those that Payments World works with, offer useful extras such as:
Link Expiry Dates: Control when the link becomes inactive, ideal for limited time offers or quotes.
Partial Payments or Deposits: Useful for industries like hospitality or services where upfront booking payments are required.
Recurring Payment Links: Automate repeat billing for subscriptions or retainer based services.
Multi currency Options: Accept international payments with conversion support built in.
Integration with Invoicing Tools: Automatically attach payment links to invoices in Xero, QuickBooks, or other accounting platforms.
Whether you’re sending a payment request from your laptop or generating links on the go via a mobile app, the Pay by Link process is fast, secure, and highly adaptable, making it ideal for modern UK businesses looking to accept card payments with minimal overhead.
What Types of Businesses Benefit Most from Pay by Link?
Pay by Link is incredibly versatile, which is why it’s used across a wide range of industries. Whether you’re a sole trader, SME or enterprise-level business, if you invoice or interact with customers remotely, Pay by Link can be a perfect fit. Here are some of the business types where Pay by Link works exceptionally well:
Tradespeople & Contractors
Electricians, plumbers, and home service professionals often quote remotely or complete jobs before collecting payment. Sending a quick payment link after work is completed speeds up cash flow and reduces admin.
Motor Trade
Car dealers, garages, and body shops can use Pay by Link to collect deposits for vehicle reservations, service payments, or balance settlements, without requiring the customer to visit in person or phone in card details.
Hospitality & Events
Hotels, event venues, wedding planners, and caterers benefit from Pay by Link when collecting deposits, final balances, or cancellation fees. It’s also great for group bookings or remote confirmations.
Freelancers & Agencies
Graphic designers, marketing consultants, and web developers can invoice clients and attach secure payment links for streamlined collection, particularly useful for one off projects or milestone billing.
Health & Wellbeing
Private clinics, personal trainers, and therapists can collect pre-payments or secure bookings with a link sent via SMS or email, reducing noshows and improving cash flow.
Boutique Retailers & Ecommerce
For businesses that don’t have a full online checkout system, or sell via social media or DMs, Pay by Link allows fast and secure payment collection with minimal setup.
What Are The Fees For Pay by Link
Fees for Pay by Link services can vary depending on your provider, transaction volume, and the types of cards your customers use. But in general, here’s what to expect in the UK market.
Transaction Fees
Most providers charge a flat percentage per transaction, typically ranging from 0.3% to 2%, plus a small fixed fee (e.g. £0.10–£0.30). For example:
PayPal: 2.9% + 30p (varies by volume)
Payments World providers: Preferential rates available depending on business type from 0.3% click here to get a quote
Monthly Fees
Many Pay by Link solutions come with no monthly fees, especially if you’re using them on a pay as you go model. However, some advanced platforms (especially those with recurring billing or accounting integration) may charge a monthly subscription which can be anything up to £25 per month depending on volume and how high risk your industry is
Refund or Chargeback Fees
Most providers apply standard refund processing or chargeback fees in the event of disputes. These vary by provider, so it’s worth checking the fine print, usually a chargeback fee is about £10-£25 per incident, however this can be much higher. Some providers like Stripe charge from when the dispute is raised by the consumer.
Extra Features or API Access
If you require API integration, branding customisation, multi user access or reporting tools, some providers may include these in higher tier plans or custom pricing packages. Please speak to us if this is something you are looking for and we’ll be happy to help.
Tip: Payments World works with a wide network of providers and acquirers, which means we can help secure preferential rates and flexible fee structures, especially for businesses with regular volume or growth plans. You don’t always have to settle for off the shelf pricing.
How to Set Up Pay by Link for Your Business
Getting started with Pay by Link is quick, low effort, and far more flexible than setting up a full e commerce checkout or merchant terminal system. It’s particularly useful for UK businesses looking to streamline remote payments without heavy investment in infrastructure or development.
Whether you’re a start up, a tradesperson, or a multi channel retailer, Pay by Link can be set up in a matter of minutes and it works across email, SMS, social media and even messaging apps like WhatsApp. It’s ideal for businesses that want to send quick, secure payment requests without requiring customers to log in, download an app, or visit a physical location. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Choose a Provider
Select a provider that supports Pay by Link functionality. Look for key features like PCI DSS compliance, secure hosted payment pages, branded templates, and UK based support.
2. Create an Account
Sign up with your chosen provider and complete any verification steps required (such as business identity checks or bank account linking).
3. Setup Link Templates
Many platforms allow you to customise your payment pages, for example, adding your logo, expiry time, or personalised descriptions. You can even pre set amounts for different services or products.
4. Send Payment Links
Popular UK-based Pay by Link providers include Stripe, Worldpay, Adyen, Go Cardless, and SOTpay. Each offers slightly different tools, pricing models and compliance support, which is where Payments World comes in. We help you compare these options and negotiate preferential rates tailored to your business model.
How Payments World Can Help
At Payments World, we help businesses across the UK find the right Pay by Link solution without the usual hassle. Whether you are a start-up, growing company or established business, we compare trusted payment providers and acquiring banks to match you with the most suitable and cost-effective option for your sector.
We do more than make introductions. Our team works to secure competitive transaction rates, faster onboarding and payment solutions that are easy to use and built around your business needs. We can also help you find providers that integrate with your existing CRM, accounting software or invoicing tools, making day-to-day payments easier to manage.
All solutions we recommend are designed with security in mind, including PCI DSS compliant hosted payment pages that help give your customers confidence when paying online. Whether you need to collect deposits, chase overdue invoices, take remote payments or offer a simple contact-free way to accept card payments, Payments World can help you put the right solution in place.
Get in touch with our team today to compare your options and access better rates.
Conclusion
As UK businesses continue to evolve being able to offer flexible & secure payment options is no longer just a convenience, it’s a necessity. Pay by Link stands out as one of the most straightforward, cost effective and versatile ways to accept remote card payments without the need for a website or physical terminal.
From taking deposits and chasing unpaid invoices to enabling off site sales and simplifying the customer journey, Pay by Link gives you a powerful tool to streamline payments, reduce friction, and increase conversion rates. It works across industries, supports multiple communication channels, and provides peace of mind with PCI-compliant infrastructure.
Whether you’re a sole trader, small business, or established brand looking to modernise your payment processes, Pay by Link offers the flexibility today’s customers expect and the efficiency your business needs.
If you’re not already using it, now is the time to explore your options. And if you’re unsure where to start or how to choose the right provider, Payments World is here to help. We work with a wide network of payment providers to ensure you get the right solution, the right support, and the right price. Get in touch today to see how much easier taking payments can be.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Most Pay by Link services use PCI DSS-compliant, encrypted payment pages to protect cardholder data. As long as you use a trusted provider, payments are processed securely, and no sensitive data is stored on your systems.
No. That’s one of its biggest advantages. You can send a payment link via email, SMS, WhatsApp or social media, without needing a checkout page or online store.
Most providers can get you live within a few days, depending on your business type and verification. Payments World can help speed up onboarding and connect you with providers that offer fast setup.
Fees vary between providers, but typically you’ll pay a small percentage per transaction (e.g. 1.4%–2.9% + a fixed fee). Some providers also charge monthly fees or offer volume discounts. Payments World can help you compare options and secure the best available rates.
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