Create Payment Links So Clients & Customers Can Pay You Conveniently

WHAT IS A PAYMENT LINK?

Payment links are created inside your shopping cart, just like any other product. You can send these to your clients when payments are due. Payment links allow your clients to pay you conveniently by clicking on the link you send to them via eMail. Here’s an example of what a payment link looks like below. As you can see, the shopping cart system generates a long url. I use TinyUrl.com to shorten it.

WHAT DOES A PAYMENT LINK LOOK LIKE?

http://www.someshoppingcartsystem.com/securecart.aspx?mid=71638&piyh2495

Now, don’t worry about the length of a payment link. That’s the default length generated by the shopping cart system I happen to use. After I create a payment link, I’ll simply head over to TinyURL.com (remember “tiny” URLs) to create one from an excessively long link. The tiny URL looks like this after I create it in about 3 seconds:

http://tinyurl.com/pay-bart-smith-500-dollars

Then, the “tiny URL” payment link is eMailed to a client, and, typically, within 24 to 48 hours, the funds are already in my eMail inbox. What kind of payment links do you need? In my experience, I’ve learned to create several different types of payment links to ensure that I can receive payments by several means:

SINGLE-PAYMENT LINKS

If a client owes you a single amount of money, and prefers to pay you by credit card, simply create and send them a payment link with the amount you want them to pay. When your client receives your eMail, they’ll click on the payment link and pay the amount due as specified. Before you know it, the payment will be in your eMail inbox. Easy? Yes.

MULTIPLE-OPTION PAYMENT LINKS

Some clients may not be able to pay the full amount due and will ask to make financial arrangements. Multiple-option payment links accommodate special circumstances clients. One single payment link might offer several payment options. For example, you might recommend that the client pays increments of $100 within a single payment. Let them choose. Can you offer higher dollar amounts? Absolutely.

RECURRING PAYMENT LINKS

Some clients prefer to make multiple payments when it comes to paying off large sums owed to you. Some clients prefer to pay monthly for services. Why not create a “recurring payment link” in a monthly amount you designate. Set it up so your client only has to make one initial payment with a credit card. You can use this information for subsequent payments to automatically ensure that payments are made.

NO WAITING FOR A CHECK

You’ve heard the old saying, “The check is in the mail!” Sometimes, the check bounces, then what should you do? Call the client, explain the situation, then ask for a new check. It’s a risk and a a waste of time!

NO CHASING THEM DOWN

No one likes to chase someone down for monies owed. Avoid this scene by sending a payment link by eMail.

NO NEED FOR PEN & PAPER

Are you sure you wrote down their credit card number, billing address, name on the credit card and expiration date, accurately? Did you remember to ask them for their 3-digit secure code on the back of the card? Forget it. Send your client a payment link in the eMail for their convenience.

THEY CAN PAY WITH CREDIT CARD

Suppose the credit card they gave you is not active. Send your clients a payment link. Why waste time testing all of the client’s credit cards to see which one will actually pay your bill? Send a payment link via eMail.

USE ONLINE INVOICING SERVICE TO STAY ORGANIZED

Invoicing clients is cumbersome, so, consider using an online service like www.CurdBee.com for this purpose! Simple and highly affordable, this web application offers convenient online invoicing and billing. From estimates to time tracking and extra payment gateways, you can add features specific to your business.