Create a Square Payment Link in 5 Minutes (Step-by-Step)

The Easiest Way to Get Paid Online

December 09, 2024

Ever wished there was a simpler way to get paid online? Like, really simple? Forget wrestling with complicated websites and clunky payment gateways. Square payment links are here to save the day (and your sanity!).

Seriously, this is a game-changer. You can sell a specific product, service or membership giving you the convenience of collecting payment upfront. Want to give customers more flexibility? Create a QR code they can scan and pay whatever amount they need—selling a membership or wanting to collect donations? Yep, Square payment links can handle that too!

And the best part? You don't even need a website to get started! But if you do have a website, you can easily add a payment link to a button. Picture this: a shiny "Make a Payment" button right on your homepage, ready to accept payments 24/7. It's the ultimate convenience for you and your customers.

Ready to ditch the payment headaches and get paid faster? Keep reading to learn how to create your own Square payment links and start collecting payments like a pro.

Think of a Square payment link as your own personal online checkout counter. It's a simple, shareable link that lets you accept payments from anyone, anywhere. No need to build a whole website or wrestle with complicated e-commerce platforms. Just create your link, share it, and watch the payments roll in!

Here’s mine as an example for one of my website design packages:

Special Offer (Referral Link):
Here’s my referral link for new customers: squareup.com/i/DREAMERBIZ

Sign up through it and process your first payment to redeem your reward. You can then choose either free processing on your first $1,000 in sales (within 180 days) or $20 off Square Hardware.*

Create Your Free Square Account

First things first, head over to Square and sign up for a free account. It's quick and easy, just like opening a social media profile.

Square offers several options for setting up your payment link, depending on your needs. You can:

  • Take a Payment: This is a general-purpose option for accepting payments for any product or service.

  • Sell an Item: Perfect for selling specific products, like your handmade crafts or digital downloads.

  • Sell an Event or Class: Ideal for selling tickets to workshops, online courses, or other events.

  • Accept Donations: A great way for nonprofits or individuals to collect donations.

You’ll be able to customize your link with a clear description, set your price, and add an image of what you're selling.

Step 1: Once you’ve signed up for Square, go to https://app.squareup.com/dashboard/payment-links/

Let's walk through an example of setting up a link to "Sell an Item":

  1. Click "Create Link": From your Square dashboard, navigate to Online > Payment Links and click "Create Link."

  1. Select “Sell an item” then click “Continue”

  2. Add Item Details: Enter a title for your item (e.g., "Handmade Ceramic Mug"), set the price, write a compelling description, and upload an image. Click Save.

  3. Customize Your Link: You can further customize your link by adding custom fields (e.g., "Add a personalized message"), enabling tipping, and setting up a redirect to a thank you page or digital download link.

Want to offer different sizes or colors of your product? Need to add shipping options? Square's got you covered. Explore the settings to make your payment link work exactly how you need it.

  • Add Item Variations: Offer different sizes, colors, or options for your product.

  • Add Modifiers: Include extras like gift wrapping or other add-ons.

  • Set Payment Frequency: Create recurring payments for memberships or subscriptions.

To find these settings, go to your Square dashboard, navigate to Online > Payment Links, and select the payment link you want to edit.

Once your link is ready, it's time to spread the word! Share it on social media, send it out in emails, or even text it to your friends and family. Want to get creative? Generate a QR code for your link and add it to flyers or stickers.

Square keeps it transparent with competitive transaction fees. A small percentage is deducted every time you make a sale using a payment link. It's a small price to pay for the convenience and freedom of selling online without the website hassle.

Okay, let's break down those processing fees! Let's say you sell a handmade necklace for $50 using a Square payment link. Here's how the fees would work:

  • Transaction cost: $50

  • Processing fee: 3.3% of $50 = $1.65

  • Fixed fee: $0.30

  • Total fees: $1.65 + $0.30 = $1.95

  • Amount you receive: $50 - $1.95 = $48.05

So, you'll receive $48.05 from the sale. Pretty straightforward.

No hidden costs or monthly fees to worry about. You only pay when you actually make a sale.

How are YOU using square checkout links? Let me know in the comments!

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