What's the difference between a payment link and a payment?

A payment link is a request for money. A payment is the money actually coming in.

• You create a payment link and share it with a customer by WhatsApp, email or SMS. You don't need a website or checkout. It works well for phone orders, custom quotes and one-off sales.
• A payment only exists once the customer opens the link, chooses a payment method and pays.

So one link can be sent but never paid, and nothing will appear in your sales until the customer pays.

Creating a payment link

On your dashboard, go to Payment Experience and scroll to Payment Links. Choose one of these:

• Open amount: the customer enters the amount and a reference. Good for a link you share with many customers.
• Fixed amount: you set the amount and invoice details. Good for a specific order or quote.

Where payments show up

When a customer pays, the payment shows on your Sales page with the type Payment Link, along with the reference, customer, payment method, amount and status. You can refund it from there like any other sale.

Using the API

If you create links through the Stitch Express API, links expire after 30 days by default. To change a link, create a new one. See the Stitch Express API docs.

Related articles

• How do I add my payment link to Xero invoices?
• Your customer's payment experience