Payment Links — get paid by card

Payment links are one of the easiest ways for small businesses, freelancers, and side hustlers to get paid. Instead of needing a website or card machine, you just create a secure link in your banking app or payment provider, send it to your customer, and they pay by card online.

Alongside payment links, many businesses also use Tap to Pay — where your phone becomes a card reader and customers can pay contactlessly in person.

This method is perfect if you:

• Sell services via social media, WhatsApp, or email.
• Take bookings or deposits remotely.
• Meet customers in person.
• Need a fast, professional way to accept payments without tech skills.

It’s a modern, flexible, and trusted solution that makes you look like a proper business from day one.

TL;DR

A payment link = secure web link to pay by debit/credit card.

Tap to Pay turns your phone into a card reader for in-person sales.

Offered by banks like GoSolo, Tide, Monzo, Starling, and providers like Stripe, PayPal, Square, SumUp.

Customers can pay instantly — money goes into your business account.

Fees apply per transaction (typically 1%–2.5%).

How payment links work

1. Create a link in your bank or payment app (e.g. “£30 – Dog walking service”).
2. Share the link via email, WhatsApp, Instagram, or SMS.
3. Customer pays with card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
4. Funds arrive in your business account, usually the same day or within 1–2 working days.

💡Pro tip:
Payment links use the same secure card processing technology as big online shops. Customers are familiar with the process and trust it.

Business bank accounts and dedicated payment providers

Several modern UK business bank accounts offer payment links as a built-in feature:

• GoSolo
• Tide
• Monzo Business
• Starling Bank

If your bank doesn’t offer links, you can use a standalone service:

• Stripe Payment Links
• PayPal.Me
• Square
• SumUp

💡Pro tip:
Dedicated providers are great if you sell frequently or need advanced features like subscriptions, but they may charge slightly higher fees.

Tap to Pay for in-person payments

Not all sales happen online. If you meet customers face-to-face — at markets, events, or in their homes — you can still get paid without a card reader using Tap to Pay.

How it works:

• Your phone (iPhone or Android) becomes a card reader.
• Customer taps their debit/credit card or Apple Pay/Google Pay device on your phone.
• Payment goes straight into your account, just like with a payment link.

Providers that offer Tap to Pay in the UK:

• Square
• SumUp
• Stripe Terminal
• GoSolo mobile app
• Some banks like Starling integrate with these services.
  

Why this matters:

• Perfect for businesses that see clients in person.
• Saves you carrying a separate card reader or asking for cash.
• Works seamlessly alongside payment links — use links for remote payments, Tap to Pay for in-person sales.

💡Pro tip:
Combine payment links + Tap to Pay to cover all situations: online, social media, and face-to-face

Costs and fees

• Banks with built-in links (GoSolo, Tide, Monzo): around 1%–2% per transaction.
• Stripe, PayPal, Square: typically 1.5%–2.9% + flat fee (20–30p).
• Tap to Pay: same pricing as each provider’s card transactions.
• No monthly subscription needed for most providers.

💡Pro tip:
If you only sell occasionally, payment links and Tap to Pay are cheaper than running a full e-commerce site or renting card terminals.

FAQs