Types of Payment Links

Pay Advantage gives you three powerful ways to accept payments online using payment links. These are web pages your customers use to pay you, and each type works differently depending on how much control and flexibility you need.

1. Payment Requests (Traceable)

These are official payment requests you create from the Pay Advantage dashboard or API.

• You choose the customer, amount, and description
• A secure, trackable link is generated
• When the customer opens the link they only need to select the payment method and make payment
• You can track when the payment is expired, cancelled or paid

Best for: Invoices or sending specific, trackable payment requests
Note: These links cannot be modified with parameters

Example:

https://payrequest.link/yourbusiness/ABC123

(This link automatically loads the full payment details.)

More information about payment requests.

2. Custom Payment Links

These links allow you to set the amount and other details directly in the URL. They’re great for re-usable link creations or to integrate into an e-commerce store with no code. 

• You manually add parameters like amount, name, description, etc.
• Anyone with the link can pay
• If not linked to a customer, one will be created during completion of the link
• No tracking or reporting over the link

Best for: Creating dynamic payments from an invoicing system, adding links to e-commerce websites for purchasing products, allowing customers to self register and make a payment for a workshop or introductory offer.
Note: Use parameters in the URL to fill in payment details

Example:

https://pad.live/yourbusiness/pay?payment_amount=50&payment_description=Soccer+Fees&first_name=Ella

You can spot the parameters in the URL:

• payment_amount=50 → The amount to be paid

• payment_description=Soccer Fees → What the payment is for

• first_name=Ella → The customer’s first name

You can change these values to suit your needs, such as updating the amount, description, or customer details.

More information about custom links.

3. Pay-Any-Amount Links 

This is a flexible payment page made just for your business. It allows a customer to enter their own payment amount and description. This can be done using a customer reference number or by customers registering their own details. 

• Add customerId or externalId in the URL link to pre-select the customer
• Customer can choose the amount and enter in a description
• If pay any amount is switched on in settings, the portal allows customers to enter their details and make a payment

Best for: A persistent link for repeat customers to allow any payment amount, or a charity to accept any donation. 

Example - Locked to customer:

https://pad.live/yourbusiness/portal?customerId=CUST123

You can spot the parameters in the URL:

• customerId=CUST123 → The customer id

Change this to specify which customer will be creating the payment. 

Example - Customer self register:

https://pad.live/yourbusiness/portal

More information about portal links.

Comparison Table

🚦Which One Should I Use?

• Tracked Payment Request – Most common, when you want visibility, reporting and tamper proof links
• Custom Payment Link – When you want to form a dynamic link based on customer information, or a payment link to attach to your website for a specific product. 
• Pay-Any-Amount Link – When you want to accept any payment amount