How to Sell Online Without a Website Using a Payment Link

A customer messages you on WhatsApp because they want to buy one of your products. They’ve already chosen what they need, know the price, and are ready to pay. Things get complicated when your business doesn’t have a website where they can complete the purchase, so you need a simple alternative, such as a Payment Link.

This can also happen at an in-person fair or event. Someone wants to buy a product, but they don’t have cash and you can’t accept card payments at that moment. Even though your customer is interested, failing to offer an easy way to pay could cost you the sale.

In situations like these, the Tilopay Payment Link and QR Code lets your business accept payments without a website or without being able to accept card payments in person.

What Is a Payment Link?

A Payment Link is a link that takes your customer to a checkout where they can pay for a product from their phone or computer. It’s a useful option when you sell through digital channels but don’t have an online store where your customer can complete the purchase.

With Tilopay, you create the link from the platform, add the sale information, and share it directly with your customer. When they open the link, they can review the details and choose one of the payment methods available to your business. 

If your customer has a card saved in Apple Pay or Google Pay, they can pay in seconds without manually entering their information with every purchase.

This way, your customer doesn’t have to find another way to pay you or switch channels to continue the purchase. For example, if they message you on WhatsApp to ask about a product, you can send them the Payment Link in the same conversation.

You can share this type of link through:

• WhatsApp.

• Instagram.

• Facebook.

• TikTok.

• Email.

• Digital catalogs.

• Sales campaigns.

• In-person fairs or events.

Another advantage of using a Payment Link is that you don’t have to ask for card information by message, email, or phone. Your customer enters this information directly at checkout, and you can review the confirmation on the platform.

In short, a Payment Link connects the moment your customer decides to buy with the moment they make the payment. This lets you continue a sale that started on social media, WhatsApp, or at an in-person fair or event, even if your business doesn’t have a website.

What Do You Need Before Creating a Payment Link?

Before you get started, you need an active Tilopay account and access to the admin dashboard.

You should also have the sale information ready:

• The product.

• The price.

• The currency.

• A brief description.

• The channel you’ll use to share the link.

For example, if your customer wants to buy a shirt they saw on Instagram, you can use “White shirt, size M” as the description and add the corresponding price.

Keep the description simple and specific. This will help you identify the sale when reviewing received payments and prevent confusion if you’re handling several orders at the same time.

How to Create a Payment Link in Tilopay Step by Step

Step 1: Log In to Your Tilopay Dashboard and Create a New Payment Link

Log in to the Tilopay admin dashboard with your credentials.

Once you’re in, find the Payment Link and QR Code section and select the option to create a new link.

The platform will show you the fields you need to complete. You don’t need any coding knowledge or a website integration to get started.

Step 2: Add the Description, Currency, and Amount

Complete the main details for the Payment Link:

• Description: enter a brief description of what you’re selling.

• Currency: select the corresponding currency.

• Amount: enter how much your customer needs to pay.

For example:

• Description: Black handbag.

• Currency: US dollars.

• Amount: 35 USD.

Before continuing, check that the information is correct. An error in the amount or currency can cause confusion and require you to create a new link.

Step 3: Configure How the Payment Link Can Be Used and Generate It

Before generating the Payment Link, you need to decide how you’ll use it.

If the link is for a single customer’s order, you can enable the “Restrict use to one recipient” option. This means it can be used only once.

If several customers will purchase the same product for the same amount, you can leave this option disabled and share the Payment Link with everyone. This can be useful for a social media campaign or for selling a fixed-price product at a fair.

Tilopay also offers an Open Payment Link, which you can share with different customers so each one can enter the currency, amount, and description for their payment. This option can be useful at fairs or events when you sell products at different prices.

Once you select the right option, check that the information is correct and generate the link.

Step 4: Share the Link with Your Customer

Once the Payment Link is ready, share it through the channel where you’re handling the sale.

If you sell through WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or email, you can copy the link and send it in the conversation. Include a brief message explaining which product it’s for.

Regardless of the channel, confirm the product and amount with your customer before they make the payment.

Step 5: Your Customer Completes the Payment

Your customer opens the Payment Link on their phone or computer and follows the instructions.

From there, they can choose from the payment methods available to your business and enter the requested information.

Never ask them to share their card information through WhatsApp, email, or phone. They should enter this information directly at checkout.

The PCI Security Standards Council provides recommendations to help businesses protect payment information. One important practice is to avoid receiving or storing card information in personal messages.

Step 6: Confirm That You Received the Payment

Before handing over, reserving, or shipping the product, check that the payment appears as approved on the Tilopay platform.

Don’t rely only on a screenshot your customer sends as proof of payment. Verifying the payment directly on the platform lets you confirm that the process was completed successfully.

Once you’ve confirmed it, you can continue preparing and fulfilling the order.

Accept Payments at Fairs and Events with a QR Code

If you’re participating in a fair or event and can’t accept card payments in person, you can generate a QR Code from Tilopay. Your customer simply scans it with their phone’s camera and follows the steps to pay.

When selling a product at a fixed price, you can create a QR Code with a preset amount. If the total varies by purchase, you can display a QR Code linked to the Open Payment Link, where your customer enters the currency, amount, and description for their payment.

An Easy Way to Sell Without a Website

Selling without a website doesn’t have to limit the payment options you offer. With a Payment Link, your customer can pay for a purchase started through WhatsApp, social media, email, or at a fair.

The Tilopay Payment Link and QR Code lets you share a link directly with your customer or display a QR Code so they can pay from their phone. This lets you offer a simpler checkout experience without creating a website.

Start selling with Payment Links and give your customers an easy way to pay from anywhere. Sign up for Tilopay here.