> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.payreque.st/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Invoice Payment Links

> Learn how to share payment links with customers and manage invoice payments

## Overview

Invoice payment links make it easy for your customers to pay their invoices online. Every invoice in PayRequest automatically gets a unique payment link that you can share with customers via email, messaging apps, or any other channel.

## How Payment Links Work

When you create an invoice, PayRequest automatically generates a secure payment link for it. This link:

* **Pre-fills all invoice information** - Amount, customer details, and invoice items
* **Shows invoice status** - Customers see if the invoice is paid, pending, or overdue
* **Works on any device** - Mobile-friendly payment experience
* **Never expires** - The link remains valid until the invoice is paid
* **Is unique per invoice** - Each invoice has its own dedicated link

## Payment Link Format

Payment links use your PayRequest business name:

```
https://payrequest.me/yourbusiness?invoice=132
```

**Why payrequest.me?**
Payment links always use the PayRequest.me domain for security and reliability, even if you have a custom shop domain configured. Your custom domain is reserved for your shop storefront.

## Sharing Payment Links

### From the Invoice List

1. Go to **Invoices** in your dashboard
2. Find the invoice you want to share
3. Click the **three dots (⋮)** next to the invoice
4. Click **"Payment Link"**
5. The link opens in a new tab - copy the URL to share it

### From Invoice Details

When viewing a specific invoice, you have two options:

#### Share Link Button

1. Open the invoice details page
2. Click the **"Share Payment Link"** button in the header
3. A modal opens with:
   * The full payment link (click to copy)
   * A QR code for easy mobile scanning
   * Options to share directly

#### Pay Now Button

* If the invoice is unpaid, you'll see a **"Pay Now"** button
* Click it to open the payment page in a new tab
* Copy the URL from your browser to share with the customer

## What Customers See

When customers open a payment link, they see:

### Invoice Information Header

* **Your business name and logo**
* **Invoice number** (e.g., "Invoice #132")
* **Status badge** with color coding:
  * 🟢 **Green** = Paid
  * 🟡 **Yellow** = Pending payment
  * ⚪ **Gray** = Open/Draft
  * 🔴 **Red** = Overdue or Failed

### For Unpaid Invoices

* All invoice items with descriptions and prices
* Payment method options (iDEAL, Credit Card, etc.)
* Customer information pre-filled
* "Pay Now" button to complete payment

### For Paid Invoices

* ✅ **Success message** confirming payment
* Payment date and time
* Complete list of purchased items
* Total amount paid
* **No payment form** (prevents accidental double payments)

## Using Payment Links in Emails

### Automatic Email Links

When you send invoice emails from PayRequest, payment links are automatically included in the email template. Customers can click directly from their inbox.

### Manual Email Sharing

To share a payment link via your own email:

1. Get the payment link from your dashboard
2. Write your email message
3. Add the link as a button or hyperlink:

```
Hi [Customer Name],

Your invoice #132 is ready for payment.

Click here to pay: https://payrequest.me/yourbusiness?invoice=132

Thank you!
```

## Payment Link Best Practices

### ✅ Do's

* **Include context** - Always mention the invoice number when sharing links
* **Add due dates** - Let customers know when payment is expected
* **Use reminders** - Set up automatic payment reminders for overdue invoices
* **Test the link** - Click it yourself before sharing to ensure it works
* **Track payments** - Check your dashboard for payment confirmations

### ❌ Don'ts

* **Don't share via unsecured channels** - Avoid posting payment links publicly
* **Don't modify the URL** - Share the complete link as-generated
* **Don't create duplicate invoices** - Use the retry feature if payment fails
* **Don't share expired links** - Links work until paid, but keep invoices current

## Sharing Payment Links via QR Code

QR codes make it easy for customers to pay from their mobile devices:

### Generating QR Codes

1. Open the invoice details
2. Click **"Share Payment Link"**
3. The modal displays a QR code automatically
4. Customers can scan with their phone camera

### Where to Use QR Codes

* **Printed invoices** - Include QR code on PDF invoices
* **In-person payments** - Show QR code on tablet or phone
* **Physical locations** - Display on counters or signage
* **Receipts** - Add to printed receipts for easy re-ordering

## Payment Methods Available

When customers use payment links, they can pay with:

* **iDEAL** - Direct bank payments (Netherlands)
* **Credit/Debit Cards** - Visa, Mastercard, American Express
* **SEPA Direct Debit** - For recurring subscriptions
* **Bank Transfer** - Manual payment instructions
* **Other local methods** - Based on your payment provider settings

The available methods depend on which payment providers you've connected in your PayRequest settings.

## Security & Privacy

Payment links are secure:

* ✅ **HTTPS encryption** - All payment pages use secure connections
* ✅ **No sensitive data** - Links don't contain payment information
* ✅ **PCI compliant** - Payment processing meets industry standards
* ✅ **Fraud prevention** - Built-in security checks
* ✅ **Audit trail** - All payments are logged and tracked

## Tracking Payment Link Usage

### Monitor Link Activity

In your dashboard, you can track:

* **Payment status** - See which invoices have been paid
* **Payment date/time** - Know exactly when payment was received
* **Payment method** - Track how customers prefer to pay
* **Failed payments** - Identify invoices needing follow-up

### Activity Log

Every time a customer uses a payment link, the action is recorded:

1. Go to **Activity** in your dashboard
2. Filter by invoice number
3. See all payment attempts and completions

## Common Scenarios

### Scenario 1: Customer Wants to Pay Later

**Situation:** Customer receives invoice but wants to pay next week

**Solution:**

* Payment link remains valid
* Customer can bookmark the link
* Or you can resend it when they're ready

### Scenario 2: Payment Link Not Working

**Situation:** Customer reports the link doesn't work

**Check these things:**

1. Ensure link wasn't cut off in email (send as clickable button)
2. Verify invoice isn't already marked as paid
3. Check payment provider is connected and active
4. Try the link yourself to reproduce the issue

### Scenario 3: Customer Lost the Link

**Situation:** Customer can't find the payment link email

**Solution:**

1. Go to invoice in your dashboard
2. Click "Share Payment Link"
3. Send the link again via email, SMS, or messaging app

### Scenario 4: Multiple Payment Reminders

**Situation:** Invoice is overdue and you want to send reminders

**Solution:**

* Use the same payment link in all reminders
* Set up automatic payment reminders in settings
* Each reminder includes the original payment link

## Integration with Other Features

### Works With Payment Reminders

Payment links are automatically included in:

* Initial invoice emails
* Overdue reminders
* Payment confirmation emails

### Works With Subscriptions

For subscription-based invoices:

* Each billing cycle gets a new invoice with its own link
* Links connect to subscription payment methods
* Customers can update payment details via the link

### Works With Custom Domains

Even if your shop uses a custom domain (e.g., yourshop.com):

* Payment links use payrequest.me for consistency
* Your branding still appears on the payment page
* This ensures payment security and reliability

## Troubleshooting

### Link Shows 404 Error

**Cause:** Invoice was deleted or business name changed
**Fix:** Verify invoice exists in dashboard, regenerate link if needed

### Payment Form Not Showing

**Cause:** Invoice already marked as paid
**Fix:** Check invoice status, use payment retry if needed

### Wrong Business Name in Link

**Cause:** Shop name was changed after link creation
**Fix:** Links automatically update to current business name

### Customer Can't Select Payment Method

**Cause:** Payment provider not connected or inactive
**Fix:** Go to Settings → Payment Providers and verify connection

## Related Articles

* [Invoice Payment Retry](/invoices/invoice-payment-retry)
* [Creating Invoices](/invoices/creating-invoices)
* [Payment Reminders](/invoices/payment-reminders)
* [Setting Up Payment Providers](/payment-processing/setting-up-payment-providers)
* [Email Templates](/invoices/email-templates)